Obscure with Michael Ian Black

The nascent jazz age is upon Roberta Alden and the "blues," as we commonly know it today, was probably a word just coming into the vernacular. Even so, Roberta is suffering from this new malady as Clyde continues to let her down. Speaking of jazz... you know who loves this unique American art form? The FRENCH! This episode recorded in Bordeaux, France with a quiet cameo by your host's dear wife.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.

02-04

33:49

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.

01-28

36:09

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.

01-21

31:25

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.

01-14

32:08

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.

01-07

35:57

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.

12-17

38:15

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.

12-10

37:58

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.

11-26

03:39

As 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.

11-19

39:13

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.

11-12

37:27

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.

11-05

34:05

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.

10-29

42:01

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.

10-22

35:18

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.