Obscure with Michael Ian Black cover art

Obscure with Michael Ian Black

Obscure with Michael Ian Black

By: Misfit Toys
Listen for free

About this listen

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


© 2021 Michael Ian Black Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • Happy Holidays from Obscure!

    Happy Holidays from Obscure!
    Dec 23 2025

    While Clyde awaits his fate, Michael is taking a little time off. But we'll resume the book in the new year. Happy Holidays!

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
    Show More Show Less
    2 mins
  • S4 Episode 118 - Skanks, Nothin' But Skanks

    S4 Episode 118 - Skanks, Nothin' But Skanks
    Dec 16 2025

    While Skankfest doesn't sound like the sort of thing your host would enjoy, and yet he did! Your host recounts a trip to New Orleans in which he eats a slice of humble pie discussing the various bro comics he encountered during his trip. Meanwhile, over there in Bridgeburg, the judging is about to commence regarding the fate of one Mr. Clyde Griffiths. Will Clyde secure for himself competent legal counsel or is he destined to swing from the rope?!?

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
  • S4 Episode 117 - First World Problems

    S4 Episode 117 - First World Problems
    Dec 9 2025

    Your humble host begins this episode kvetching about various First World problems, which include: a damaged washer/dryer, a bed frame imbroglio, and assorted other supply chain/technician fiascoes. Yes, it's an elite episode of Obscure today as we visit with our own Clyde Griffiths sitting there in a Bridgeburg jail cell without benefit of a washer/dryer or tufted bed frame. Terrible.

    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.
    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
All stars
Most relevant
Michael Ian Black is just SO GOOD! I loved his How To Be Amazing podcast and ended up here afterwards, and his reactions to the text are just excellent. I think he's very underrated, and he shouldn't be. Listen to this, you'll love it.

Hilarious and heartbreaking and heartwarming

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.