Obscure with Michael Ian Black

Obscure with Michael Ian Black

Misfit Toys

Episodes 346
Avg. Duration 33m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.9 (1,762)
Since May 2018
Latest Episode Jun 2026

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
100%
Hosting
rss.art19.com

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

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


Social Media

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

S4E141 S4 Episode 141 - Should It Be Properly Called a Fridgerator?

Jun 09, 2026 35m

Mighty questions abound during this week's episode of Obscure, including Clyde's true nature, sexual hypocrisy, and whether or not the ice box is properly titled a "refrigerator." Meanwhile, we're…

S4E140 S4 Episode 140 - 50 Mystery Records!

Jun 02, 2026 36m

From the shores of Lake Como, your host recounts his time in Italy and then spends too much time extolling the virtues of a recent purchase. As for Clyde, well it's more of the same. Mason continues…

S4E139 S4 Episode 139 - With Bells On

May 26, 2026 33m

A 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…

S4E138 S4 Episode 138 - Provincial and Foolish

May 19, 2026 32m

As 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…

S4E137 S4 Episode 137 - The Suit, The Camera, The Tripod

May 12, 2026 41m

Clyde 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…

S4E136 S4 Episode 136 - Buon Giorno!

May 05, 2026 33m

As 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…

S4E135 S4 Episode 135 - Who Can Say

Apr 28, 2026 32m

At 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…

S4E134 S4 Episode 134 - A Terrible Gamble

Apr 21, 2026 38m

As 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…

S4E133 S4 Episode 133 - The Ides and Teeth of March

Apr 14, 2026 33m

Torment 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…

S4E132 S4 Episode 132 - I Don't Want To Do Things

Apr 07, 2026 31m

Your 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…

S4E131 S4 Episode 131 - Better To Have Confessed

Mar 31, 2026 38m

The 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 -…

S4E130 S4 Episode 130 - Wrong About Most Things

Mar 24, 2026 33m

Witness 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!…

S4E129 S4 Episode 129 - DE-Fense! De-FENSE!

Mar 17, 2026 32m

The case is underway! Jury selection complete. Opening argument argued. And now, at long last, witnesses are taking the stand. What will they say? Will they sink Clyde's case? PLUS a lesson in…

S4E128 S4 Episode 128 - Fighting for His Very Life

Mar 10, 2026 34m

Clyde is there in that darn Bridgeburg courtroom trying his level best to keep calm and carry on, but it's tough. It's TOUGH! That Orville Mason is one tough cookie, and his opening argument…

S4E127 S4 Episode 127 - The Best Face He Can

Mar 03, 2026 37m

After counsel for both prosecution and defense conclude jury selection, the Trail of the Century begins - at least in Bridgeburg - District Attorney Orville B. Mason takes to the well to begin his…

S4E126 S4 Episode 126 - An Uphill Climb... Both Ways!

Feb 24, 2026 30m

Your host is snowbound following a winter blizzard, with nothing to do at all but read a classic work of literature out loud and comment on it as he goes. Dudley Sheerline makes an appearance. Who's…

S4E124 S4 Episode 125 - Like Flying Birds

Feb 17, 2026 32m

Your host recounts his week of travel to and from distant points on the continent. Las Vegas, San Francisco, and back to the East Coast for a new season of "Have I Got News For You." Flying to…

S4E124 S4 Episode 124 - From the Master Boudoir...

Feb 10, 2026 32m

A sultry beginning to this week's episode of "Obscure," as your host describes his new locale, the primary bedroom of his midcentury masterpiece in the wilds of Connecticut. In Denver, the Asa…

S4E123 S4 Episode 123 - Bawl in the Family

Feb 03, 2026 36m

The news finally reaches the poor Asa Griffiths family, arriving as it does in the various circulars and broadsheets from far away lands. And nary a word from the Samuel Griffiths family regarding…

S4E122 S4 Episode 122 - An Ambling Man

Jan 27, 2026 34m

As Clyde rots in a Bridgeburg jail cell concocting, with attorneys Bellknap & Jephson, some potential defense which a jury will believe, your host goes on a brief philosophical amble regarding…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Obscure with Michael Ian Black have?

Obscure with Michael Ian Black has published 346 episodes since May 2018, covering topics in Arts, Books.

Is Obscure with Michael Ian Black still active?

Obscure with Michael Ian Black is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 33m.

How do I contact Obscure with Michael Ian Black for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Obscure with Michael Ian Black, including email and social media links.

Similar Podcasts