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Obscure with Michael Ian Black
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© 2021 Michael Ian Black
Description
It's a book club, but funny!
Comedian Michael Ian Black is tackling a great work of literature: Wuthering Heights.
Join Michael's weekly book club as he reads aloud from a classic and asks people like Jen Kirkman, Mike Birbiglia, Michael Showalter, and even his teenage kids to weigh in with their perspectives.
Season 1: Thomas Hardy's Jude the Obscure. The book is bleak, but Michael does a lot of accent work.
Season 2: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. It's alive, and it's just a big buddy. Also, more accent work.
Season 3: Wuthering Heights. It's a love story? Who knows
Season 4: American Tragedy. Also a potential title of this podcast
Support this show and access bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack
277 Episodes
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Recounting New Year's Eve and a heated argument with a cop. Clyde, too, is in heat. For the comely Sondra Finchley. Increasingly, it seems as though the comely Sondra Finchley is heated for Clyde. Warmth is breaking out all over on an another episode of Obscure.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A fabulous synchronicity as Christmas arrives for both Clyde Griffiths and your humble host, joined this week by his daughter, Ruthie, who has returned to the family manse in Savannah for the holiday season. I catch her up to date on the book and read a bit, as well.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Nobody was expecting hijinks from Dreiser but here we are, enjoying an episode which is little more than a comedy of errors. Clyde has maneuvered the entire Lycurgus social scene to his benefit. It's got the entire Griffiths clan in a tizzy!Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Some Thanksgiving reminiscences commingled with A Christmas Memory on this episode of Obscure, along with some desperate pining and misery on the part of one Roberta Alden.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Roberta Alden is back in Biltz to visit the Alden clan for the holidays, and what a drab holiday it 'tis. But is it really Biltz homestead that troubles young Roberta's heart or is it the fading romance between herself and that scamp Clyde Griffiths? Impossible for her to say at the moment, but we listeners certainly know that her heart is right to worry.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
After chapters of chronicling Clyde's gaiety in the arms of Sondra Finchley, we're returning to Roberta Alden's parochial world. Much depression and anxiety as she attempts to figure out the cause of Clyde's new frostiness. Yes, life is a sad affair but at least we have a murder/suicide to look forward to?Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
We're taking some time off for Thanksgiving. In the meantime enjoy the ENTIRE theme to Obscure, composed by the great Craig Wedren. You have always wanted to hear it in full, now is your chance.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
1As your host anticipates the US election, he acknowledges the Harris/Walz campaign for their excellence. Of course, your host had no idea at the time of this recording what the results of the election were going to be and so careful listeners will probably sense some optimism, which will soon be punished. As for Clyde, who cares?Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As your host contemplates his upcoming dinner, one might detect a misbegotten lightness of being. Misbegotten because he does not what's about to happen in the US elections. NO SPOILERS, PLEASE!!! In Lycurgus, Clyde and Sondra are arm-in-arm as they make their way into the dinner portion of the upper-crust dinner party to which he has been invited. Meanwhile, Roberta Alden is at home, eating a single bean from a can.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Clyde is out there living it up while Roberta sits at home and cries. Well, we don't know that Roberta is home crying while Clyde is out among the Lycurgus jet set (despite the fact that jets have not yet been invented) because Dreiser doesn't even care enough about Roberta to check in with her on this, the moment of her greatest betrayal. Even so, your host would be lying if he didn't admit that he wishes Sondra would develop a lil' crush on him, too.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It's our 64th episode of Season 4, your host is sleepy, and it's the fault of Martha. Clyde is partying hearty, with the potential of betrayal! Lots of terrible behavior from everybody!Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Well, Michael and his wife are in a tiff for reasons that are ENTIRELY HIS FAULT. Even so, that doesn't mean he is in the wrong! (He is in the wrong.) Plus, all kinds of angst regarding the weather, dinner, and the misery of his life. Meanwhile, a love triangle is developing there in Lycurgus, NY like a goddamned hurricane - one of which is brewing at the time of this recording.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Roberta and Clyde have given themselves over to their most lascivious desires. While Dreiser does not spell out the exact nature of these desires, it's safe to assume they are of the most disgusting, immoral, and degrading activities imaginable. Meanwhile, your humble host indulges in his own disgusting, immoral, and degrading activities up in the wilds of Connecticut. A debased chapter of "An American Tragedy" on today's Obscure.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It seems like sin is in the wind as Clyde and Roberta have commenced their intimacies. Both parties find themselves conflicted over this new turn of events. The kids are doing the nasty at night and brooding over it during the day. Is it paradise... or HELL?!?Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Danger abounds as Clyde and Roberta dance along a pinhead! How do they navigate this treacherous impasse at which they've found themselves? It's well-nigh impossible. Impossible! Desire is the streetcar upon which they find themselves riding, and you know what happens when Tennessee Williams writes a play about it. These two poor kids want each other in the wurst (purposeful misspelling) way.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A true American tragedy occurred right before the taping of this episode of Obscure. How wilI your host continue in light of such awfulness of the dungarees variety? Clyde and Roberta are on the precipice of a break-up as they try to navigate the uncertain boundary waters of sexual adventuring? We know not! Yet they, like your humble host, endure.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A little too much guacamole on today's episode of "Obscure." Sometimes even delicious things can leave one feeling overstuffed: guacamole and, yes, even YOUNG LOVE! Clyde and Roberta are at a real crossroads. How are they possibly going to keep their trysting without a new location in which to tryst? Roberta is movin' out!Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Some terrific snack talk at the start of today's episode, in which your host expounds on one of the finest confections, the traditional ice cream sandwich. Plus, ice cream makes a cameo in the story itself, as Clyde and Roberta plot their lies and deception. They are as cold-hearted as the desserts they consume!Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The love between Clyde and Roberta continues to grow by leaps and bounds, but problems arise as the two lovebirds find themselves struggling to steal away a little time together. How to tryst!?! Such struggles, such raw emotion, such horniness! Plus, your humble host finds himself in a mediocre hotel in Columbus, OH for the purposes of performing a single comedic performance that is 30% sold out!Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As Tropical Storm Debby lashes the Jill Schwartz Memorial Library, Clyde and Roberta are drowning... in love! Plus, many references to the Rubicon, whirlpools, splashing around, and the dangers of getting in over your hand. A tryst is in the offing! It's a soaking wet episode of Obscure.Support Obscure!Read Michael's substackFollow Michael on TwitterFollow Michael on InstagramSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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takes the cock a'trice. pretty straightforward.
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man, I love this podcast
i love it! i loved it when my ancient quirky high school Brit-Lit teacher had us read it and I overjoyed to hear it from ancient quirky high school Michael Ian Black.
I hope MIB finds another book and keeps doing this.
this is fantastic! keep this up!
Please start another book after this!
asswipe, self important dick head
Fan since the episode of 1. This is hands down my tried and true favorite podcast. I've had a contentious admiration of MIB since I was a wee babe... I understand him now and consider him a radio BFFL. I'm also grateful for his wife, Martha, who seems to have made him funnier.
I am dreading the end of Jude's story because I need this podcast to go on forever. Michael, please fine another obscure text to read post haste
just checking in again. I am enjoying this so very much.
This is the best one imo 😂
A lovely episode.
This is my favorite podcast. I can't wait for each episode.
Such a big fan of Obscure.
just started listening today and I am enjoying it very much,
Thank you for opening the seltzer can. I feel like Arabella is getting some heat from MIB.... maybe undue repressed "stuff" or something? There's a tone for sure.... Maybe Mr. Hardy bleeding through?
I love this podcast so much. I'm always excited to see new projects from The State alumni, especially Michael Ian Black. He is always so much "in character," even as himself, but I feel that with Obscure he's letting us peek behind the curtain a bit more - even than in his other podcasts at the genuine Michael. I love audiobooks, and Michael is an excellent reader. His interspersed commentary adds wonderfully to the experience. This is *not* a terrible idea. I am already dreading the end of "Jude the Obscure," and I hope he continues with another book.
This is a really funny and engaging podcast! I look forward to listening every week!