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
  • S4 Episode 113 - Who Do I Gotta Kill To Get Ahead In This Life?

    S4 Episode 113 - Who Do I Gotta Kill To Get Ahead In This Life?
    Nov 11 2025

    Twice-over murderer Clyde Griffiths finds himself at the mercy of Johnny Law. Now he's in the hoosegow, awaiting his fate. Meanwhile, his fancy pals over at the campsite have are tres, tres bummed. Their own Clyde, arrested for murder? How could it be? And poor Sondra Finchley now left flummoxed and alone; "I don't believe a word of it," says she. Sorry, chicky, but belief doesn't come into play here. It's about the fact, ma'am, and nothing but.

    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
    37 mins
  • S4 Episode 112 - What A Dunce You Are

    S4 Episode 112 - What A Dunce You Are
    Nov 4 2025

    As indisputable proof arises that Clyde is, indeed, the instrument of death in the case of one Roberta Alden, Orville B. Mason isn't having more of young Master Griffiths' bunkum. Things continue to deteriorate for our young hero, whose defense is now crumbling as assuredly as Clyde once assuredly strode through the streets of Lycurgus, New York. Well, his time in Lycurgus is now done. The only question now is where our young hero now meets his end.

    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
    32 mins
  • S4 Episode 111 - Not Home, Alone

    S4 Episode 111 - Not Home, Alone
    Oct 28 2025

    Mallomars, a terrific confection, is the subject of some discussion early in this episode which reminds your host that Mike and Tom Eat Snacks is back, a podcast featuring Michael Ian Black and Tom Cavanagh picking, eating, and rating snacks. Why promote another podcast during this podcast? Because your host is whore. Other whorish behavior in this episode: Clyde Griffiths has confirmed his identity to a sheriff's deputy and it looks as though the whole sordid tale will at last be revealed.

    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
    32 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.