Podcast
Obscure with Michael Ian Black
Hosted by Misfit Toys · EN
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
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
S4 Episode 139 - With Bells On
1w ago00:33:45Tap to summarizeA symphony of bells accompanies the beginning of this episode, which comes to you from the shores of Lake Como, Italia. The bambini are about to join your host for a few days of Roman holiday and such. A far better location than a stuffy courtroom, where Clyde continues his back-and-forth with DA Mason. And ol' Mason appears to have Kid Griffiths on the ropes. But will it be enough to convict?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.
Transcribe →S4 Episode 138 - Provincial and Foolish
2w ago00:32:43Tap to summarizeAs your host completes Week 1 of his Italian sabbatical, he shares some banal observations about the Old World because his provincial and foolish brain cannot do otherwise. But "provincial and foolish" can also describe one Clyde Griffiths, now testifying for his darned life, first attempting to establish his truthiness by means of the relatively friendly interrogation of his own lawyer, Jephson. Now, however, he must face DA Mason, who has been glowering and muttering during the initial testimony; no doubt he's smacking his lips as he confronts his prey on cross-examination in today's exciting episode!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.
Transcribe →S4 Episode 137 - The Suit, The Camera, The Tripod
3w ago00:41:10Tap to summarizeClyde continues his testimony to judge, jury, and the Lord God above. As our favorite defendant continues his lies - damnable lies - upon the witness stand, your host continues to express his displeasure with Clyde's defense strategy. And what happens when Mason gets his turn to interrogate this least reliable of narrators?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.
Transcribe →S4 Episode 136 - Buon Giorno!
May 500:33:34Tap to summarizeAs your host gets ready to depart for a month-long "Talented Mr. Ripley" style vacation in Italy, Clyde Griffiths is attempting to play his own long con. The boy is on the witness stand lying through his teeth about the events that led to the death of one Roberta Alden. Will a jury of farmers see through the obfuscations, half-truths, and outright mendacity???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.
Transcribe →S4 Episode 135 - Who Can Say
Apr 2800:32:54Tap to summarizeAt long last, we've learned the defense strategy to extricate young Master Griffiths - a claim of physical and moral cowardice. What?! Seems dumb as hell to your host, but who can say?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.
Transcribe →S4 Episode 134 - A Terrible Gamble
Apr 2100:38:59Tap to summarizeAs Clyde's trial continues apace, Clyde takes the stand to speak on behalf of his own self. It's a terrible gamble for the defense, as DA Mason must surely be licking his lupine lips at the prospect of chomping down on Clyde's obvious lies and prevarications. Before that cross-examination can occur, however, we're going to be treated to tale cooked up by Belknap and Jephson. Will it succeed?!?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.
Transcribe →S4 Episode 133 - The Ides and Teeth of March
Apr 1400:33:21Tap to summarizeTorment begins today's episode. A discussion of soft foods leads off today's episode before we pick up Belknap's opening argument on the trial of one Clyde Griffiths, late of Lycurgus, NY, whose very life hangs in the balance. We are yet to hear the crux of the defense; how will they endeavor to spare this young murderer's life?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.
Transcribe →S4 Episode 132 - I Don't Want To Do Things
Apr 700:31:58Tap to summarizeYour rambling host details, for no discernible reason, his weeklong schedule (pronounced: sh-edule). He then moves on to using the word "nadir," which is pretentious. Just a terrible waste of time from your host before we get back to the matter at hand, the trial of one Clyde Griffiths.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.
Transcribe →S4 Episode 131 - Better To Have Confessed
Mar 3100:38:16Tap to summarizeThe trial continues with much desolation accruing on the part of one Clyde Griffiths, as witness after witness corroborates the accusations of DA Orville B. Mason. A veritable parade of witnesses - one after the other - condemning Clyde to his forthcoming date with Ol' Sparky. Mr. Griffith's hopes are now flagging by the moment, which leads your host to conclude that we're in for some kind of twist.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.
Transcribe →S4 Episode 130 - Wrong About Most Things
Mar 2400:33:02Tap to summarizeWitness after witness condemning Clyde to Ol' Sparky. Dots are being connected, red yarn tied to thumbtacks, evidence uncovered! They even found the druggist to whom Clyde applied for abortifacient! They found everybody! How the heck does Clyde have any hope of walking after this litany of concerned citizens putting the screws to the young Mr. Griffiths.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.
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