Obscure with Michael Ian Black

Earwolf

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

Location:

United States

Genres:

Comedy

Networks:

Earwolf

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

Language:

English

Episodes

S4 Episode 105 - An Enormous Personal Hate for the Man

9/16/2025

Haven't we all felt hatred for The Man at some point? In Orville Mason's case, the man in question is the murderer of Roberta Alden. Is that Clyde Griffiths? It sure looks like it, and DA Mason is practically seething at the whichever rich wastrel did Ms. Alden in. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:38:52

S4 Episode 104 - A Fabulous Time Out There on the River

9/9/2025

The episode begins with a delightful recounting of a water adventure, which segues PERFECTLY into the horror show unfolding over there on Big Bittern. Highs and low on another cromulent episode of Obscure. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:37:27

S4 Episode 103 - Law & Order

9/2/2025

As Book 3 unfolds, we're starting to transform from "The Wire" to "Law & Order." We've got the DA (portrayed by the late Jerry Orbach) and the coroner (portrayed by the late Foster Brooks). Yes, it's a perfectly cromulent episode of Obscure. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:36:20

S4 Episode 102 - My Dogs are Literal Animals

8/26/2025

Having just spent two days in the car with his pets, your host spends most of the episode complaining about the adorable Ole and Squash, who are not adorable. Things are worse, however, for Bert Alden, dead at the bottom of a lake. Thankfully, Orville Mason is on the case! Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:35:08

S4 Episode 101 - Machinations!

8/19/2025

There's been a murder (maybe) in these here parts and political machinations are afoot! The coroner, upon suspecting foul play, has some ideas in that big head of his. While murder is never welcome, when it arrives, one would be a fool not to use it to one's advantage... Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:33:02

S4 Episode 100 - Beautiful Mount Airy Lodge

8/12/2025

Reporting this episode from the former honeymoon capital of the world (not Niagra Falls), the Poconos Mountains which is an ideal location to commit a lake drowning. A lake drowning has, in fact, occurred. Clyde, our poor benighted Clyde, has gone and done it. And now, we shall see what consequences await. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:34:11

S4 Episode 99 - Dithering and Dickering

8/5/2025

Perhaps we are at the moment of no return. Hard to say, of course, and lo we have had the rug pulled from under our feet so many times over these last almost 100 episodes. Clyde Griffiths is possessed now, a demon steadying his hand as the deadly moment has now arrived. Or has it??? Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:30:56

S4 Episode 98 - What a lousy Independence Day but a fine day for a MURDER

7/29/2025

An airport adventure begins this week's episode but your host is happy to assure you that, while his family's was waylaid in NYC attempting to return home to the Deep South. An overnight stay at JFK ensued, with a detour to Minneapolis, before heading, finally to Savannah. And yet... AND YET! Our trip was still better than Roberta Alden's elopement. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:33:17

S4 Episode 97 - We Don't Have Swiss Cheese, We're Waffle House

7/22/2025

Some thoughts on Waffle House and some heavy breathing kick off this week's episode. Meanwhile, all kinds of trouble await poor Robert Alden as she decamps for what she believes to be her elopement. But, of course, you and I know no such elopement is forthcoming. The only event Roberta has to look forward to is... MURDER!!! Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:34:20

S4 Episode 96 - Crucial Days Indeed

7/15/2025

Some comparing and contrasting on the natures and characters of our respective heroines, Bob and Sondy F from the perspective of our hero, the cad. Can a hero also be a cad? Sure. What was Han Solo if not both? Meanwhile, your host rhapsodizes on his new homeland, the sap. Can a hero also be a sap? Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:32:38

S4 Episode 95 - Fits and Starts

7/1/2025

A remembrance of a summer past begins today's episode as your host recalls a trip to his grandmother's apartment, a trip which involved watching the rock star Prince have more sex than was comfortable. Meanwhile, our resident Hamlet, Master Clyde Griffiths, continues to inch closer and closer to his ultimate destination. One of... MURDER!!! Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:29:48

S4 Episode 94 - Long Live the State; Not So Much Bob

6/24/2025

Your host begins with tales of glamor and intrigue and film festivals, but such tales are short-lived, are they not? And, truth be told, very little intrigue at hand and almost as little glamor. Meanwhile, intrigue builds in the fetid little brain of our troubled teen, Clyde Griffiths. Will such intrigue lead to... MURDER?!? Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:34:19

S4 Episode 93 - The Desolate, Impenetrable Forests

6/17/2025

An honest-to-goodness "Price is Right" challenge! Plus, tales of Las Vegas decadence and Lycurgus debauchery! In addition, a comedic definition of the word "Myrtle." All this and more on today's scintillating episode of "Obscure"!!! Oh, and we read the book a little, too. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:33:26

S4 Episode 92 - I Didn't Come to Las Vegas to Be Bored!

6/10/2025

Your host has created for himself a little working vay-cay out in the wilds of the Nevada desert for a debauched week of poker-playing and podcast recording. Most of the episode is devoted to Bert's whinging about this, that, and the other. Is it boring? It is. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:33:01

S4 Episode 91 - Taking the Low Road

6/3/2025

While Ol' Bert suffers in Biltz, Clyde and Sondra are canoodling over at Twelfth Lake, their kisses turning into warm embraces in the moonlight. And yes, there's baby talk. I'm so sorry. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:34:07

S4 Episode 90 - Murder, Gossip, Sex!

5/27/2025

We start today's episode with some hot show biz goss about Colman Domingo, the show biz industry in general, and the Met Gala. Then we delve into the subject of MURDER!!!! Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:31:31

S4 Episode 89 - Presumably Containing Lunch

5/20/2025

As the number of listeners continues to dwindle (and, honestly, why it hasn't disappeared altogether is a mystery to me), your host recounts a visit to Los Angeles, relays some VERY strong opinions on Taco Bell, and reads a bit of a work of classic literature while commenting on it as he goes. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:28:55

S4 Episode 88 - Some Honest to God Celebrity Hot Goss

5/13/2025

Reporting this episode from a haunted condominium in Hollywood, California! Ok, it's not haunted and, strictly speaking it isn't in Hollywood. But here within, your host relates a VERY JUICY Colman Domingo story (it's not that juicy, or that interesting). And Clyde continues to f things up. No surprise there. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:31:57

S4 Episode 87 - The Fifth of June Arriving

5/6/2025

For the umpteenth episode, Clyde is torn between his former flame and the current inferno warming him from the direction of Twelfth Lake. A gravid Bob is at a critical junction, the time of decision-making is at hand. Clyde must marry her or find some other solution to the problem. The obvious solution? MURDER!!! Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:32:07

S4 Episode 86 - It was not right. It was not fair

4/29/2025

Some real moments of irritation from your host this week as he loses patience with both Bob AND Ted Dreiser. Now maybe it's on account of your host's sore back or maybe it's because your host thinks he knows better than one of the nation's great writers. Who can say. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Duration:00:33:51