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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
239 Episodes
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Reporting from the docks today as your host gets ready to depart upon the high seas. Yes, it's a maritime adventure on this week's episode of Obscure. Your host is a guest of the Valiant Lady, the subject of our book the guest of the Griffiths Collar Company. Clyde finishes his tour of the factory and then takes his own tour of the fine residential neighborhoods of Lycurgus.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 assigned to the dregs of the Griffiths Collar Manufacturing Concern. After a somewhat terse exchange with his cousin, Gilbert, Clyde is escorted through the manufactury, where he witnesses all the sights and sounds of a great collar concern. Fascinating stuff.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 making his way through Lygurgus, NY in seek of his fortune. We're getting a tour of the Griffiths Collar Making Factory as young Master Clyde of the Asa Griffiths clan presents himself at the office of his cousin Gilbert. A little cousin-on-cousin action on this 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.
Those who know of my work no doubt also know the work of one of my besties, David Wain. His dad, Norman Wain, gave some business advice years ago that I remember in this episode of Obscure. Business is also very much on the mind of Clyde Griffiths and his uncle, the collar entrepreneur, Sam. Did Clyde just secure his future? Listen and find 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.
Clyde is about to meet his uncle, Samuel Griffith, who has come to Chicago and is staying at the very club in which Clyde's employ is now secured. But how to approach the Great Man? Would his uncle find him nothing more than an aged bellhop in laughable circumstances? Listen on and find 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.
Your humble host is laid up with a blown-out back as he endeavors to feed your literary hunger. A surprise awaits Clyde in Chicago, which provides our young hero with a new opportunity... and new danger?!? 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 been three years since the tragic events of Clyde's Kansas City days. What has he been doing in the ensuing years? How did he make his way to Chicago? What about his poor, pious parents? Did the rest of the gang end up in the pokey? Find out on this informative episode of Obscure!Check out Michael's column in the Daily BeastSupport 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.
My God, yet another episode with Bella talking about the goddamned boat lunch the Finchleys are building up at Greenwood Lake. Like the rest of the Griffiths clan, Michael doesn't care. Rich people and their rich people gossip. Not for him, thanks. 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.
No, it's not Welsh but it certainly is fun to say. This week, we're dealing with fancy ladies and chaps, in particular a certain Bella Griffiths angling for a summer at Greenwood Lake! Plus, a facile comparison of Clyde Griffiths, Sammy Glick, and Jay Gatsby. 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.
There's mooks aplenty on another tantalizing episode of Obscure. One from contemporary times, and several from the book. Plus: we fail to find a good definition for "macerating wheel"! 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.
Those meddlesome kids are causing mayhem - absolute mayhem - out there in Kansas City, MO. They're running over girls and crashing cars and engaging in high-speed car chases. It's madness with these kids! 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.
"Gee, but you're mean." The fact is, these two young people are exhausting. Clyde and Hortense continue their back-and-forth and we're forced to endure their irritating pas de deux. More bickering, more dilly-dallying. And maybe Hortense is on her period. Not sure. Plus, a book recommendation! 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.
All kinds of curves: whips and curves in the river bend and the curves of one Hortense Briggs: hippy curves, booby curves, butty curves. And skirts hiked above the knees! It's sin, sin, and more sin on a positively scandalous episode of Obscure. Lust! Jealousy! Covetousness! Prepare your delicate minds!!! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Horny teens speeding along a snowy road in a stolen car. What could possibly go wrong? Perhaps the tragedy will be vehicular or perhaps something involving the human heart. Clyde and Hortense seem to be heading towards their own collision as a rival emerges. Support the show & get more Obscure https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Well, Clyde has promised 50 dollars to Hortense and Hortense has promised her whole self to Clyde and Clyde's mama needs 50 bucks for Hester also known as Esta. Everybody needs 50 bucks! Will he choose his sister or his penis? Frankly, Michael is distraught.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
As we barrel through the holiday season, your curmudgeonly host grouches about all things consumerist. It is, after all, the corrosive acid of consumerism eating up our hero Clyde Griffiths as he weighs the request by his beloved to acquire for her a little fur coat. If only she were the only one making financial demands upon him... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Clyde Griffiths doesn't seem to mind receiving a little abuse, and Hortense Briggs doesn't seem to mind dishing it out. Just a little Freudian nonsense to focus one's mind during a little pas de deux between boy and girl. The object of lust at the center of today's episode: an adorable fur coat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
It's all about sex for Clyde Griffiths as he contemplates the sensual life. Hortense Briggs is playing her little reindeer games with Clyde's heart with little regard for the pain she's causing him. Plus, your host is about to play some high-stakes Las Vegas poker. And, we learn the correct pronunciation of "gewgaw." More high stakes activity: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
1In addition to the international tragedy of wars breaking out across the globe, your host is experiencing his own American tragedy of insomnia and fatigue. Not to compare one tragedy to the other, but my American tragedy is worse. As for the book by the same title, Clyde has discovered his poor, knocked-up sister. They meet and converse and Clyde feels both resentful and conflicted regarding his own strivings. A petty psychological drama unfolds in this sparking episode.More Obscure! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A strange incident at the Taco Bell leads your humble host to reflect on the importance of being aware of one's surroundings. Back in Kansas City, Clyde Griffiths, too, is studying his own surroundings, leading him to discover a secret in a seedy neighborhood. Lives are going off the rails on this episode of "Obscure."See 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!
I love this so much.