Advertise on podcast: Obscure with Michael Ian Black

Rating

★★★★★

4.9

from

1767 reviews

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

Unlock Obscure with Michael Ian Black podcast Email contact info,
Listeners & Audience details

Email contact information

Direct podcast contact details

Listeners

Audience numbers & engagement insights

Audience details

Podcast Insights

Social media

Check Obscure with Michael Ian Black social media presence

Podcast episodes

Check latest episodes from Obscure with Michael Ian Black podcast

S4 Episode 158 - Epilogue

2026/10/06

It appears that Clyde has finally met his end as we begin today's episode of "Obscure." When we began "An American Tragedy," it was, I admit, with some trepidation. I purchased it at a bookshop in London, where we were living for a few months a couple years and change ago. The trepidation was about the size of the damned thing. A veritable tome! I knew then that it would be a yearslong project, and so it has been. Thanks to all of you for staying with me all the way to the book's (and Clyde's) 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.

S4 Episode 157 - Peanuts and Candy Corn

2026/09/29

Kind of a sweet and salty episode as your host recounts a trip to Lake Geneva, WI and the county fair. That's the sweet. The salty is that Clyde Griffiths is about to die. Which is, of course, a touch sad. But you know what cheers up sad people? Candy Corn. The circle of life continues. 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.

S4 Episode 156 - Just Fry Him Already

2026/09/22

Title suggestion by dear producer Robin who seems ready to be done with Clyde and the whole mess. It's hard to argue with such a conclusion following 700 pages of Dreiser, but we're not going to walk Clyde down that long corridor just yet. There's still a governor's commutation available. Perhaps that will save his skin. But, to be honest, probably not. 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.

S4 Episode 155 - Getting to the Point

2026/09/15

As your host departs for a brief beach getaway, he revels in his own freedom contrasted with that of a young convicted murderer on death row. The Blue Devil has sunk his teeth into poor Clyde Griffiths and as he awaits his turn on Old Sparky, his new friend the Reverend Duncan McMillan is hard at work trying to save his soul. 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.

S4 Episode 154 - Manahatta

2026/09/08

Your host recounts his INTENSE work schedule to kick off today's episode. It's a sleepy August afternoon for ol' Michael as he unspools his thoughts on the impending demise of one Clyde Griffiths whose very soul hangs in the balance. His new friend, the good Reverend Duncan McMillan, is beseeching him to confess his sins. Can young Clyde bring himself to admit a full accounting of his many wrongdoings before he meets his maker? 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.

S4 Episode 153 - So Much of this World is Shabby

2026/09/01

Times is tough but your host is facing this challenging world in a chipper mood. Why? Listeners will have to tune in to find out, but if the word "buttermilk" doesn't pique your interest, who knows what will? Thank goodness for your host's good mood since our poor friend Clyde Griffiths is at his lowest point. Perhaps all of us can cheer him up as he awaits his death. 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.

S4 Episode 152 - Lie Berry

2026/08/25

Reverend Duncan McMillan and Clyde Griffiths are now spending some time together as they await the final judgment of our hero. There's been some preaching and having themselves some literary discussion and psalming all the psalms. Your host also has been interrogating the whole Jesus question with a recent book borrowin'. 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.

S4 Episode 151 - Let's Go With That, Why Not?

2026/08/18

Your host begins with a congratulatory message towards himself for being a real trooper. Trouper? Some thoughts on trooping follow. As for Clyde, a man has died over at Auburn and our sad hero is feeling pretty low about it. How soon until our own dear Clyde meets his own 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.

S4 Episode 150 - Among My Things and People

2026/08/11

Your host has returned from the wilds of Oregon to the wilds of Connecticut. We begin with complaints about the local church rummage sale and continues on to various observations about this and that before revisiting the death house where Clyde awaits his fate. 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.

S4 Episode 149 - The Christians, At Least, Were Very Indifferent

2026/08/04

Well, the fundraising for Clyde's appeal does not seem to be going very well. Mama Griffiths has vowed to raise the necessary cash to free her boy from the jaws of death. Alas, the good people of Albany and Buffalo and parts nearby, have no patience for the young Clyde. And, frankly, nor does your host. NOR DOES YOUR HOST!!! 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.

S4 Episode 148 - Northwestern Exposure

2026/07/28

Your host waxes pedantic as he begins today's episode from Bigfoot Country. Time away spurs reflection, and your host is both away and reflecting. A quick and dirty definition of "wealth" accompanies a dissection of the difference between the free and the not-so-free, such as one Clyde Griffiths. Yes, it's a contemplative episode of Obscure this week. 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.

S4 Episode 147 - Mythical Creatures

2026/07/21

Your host has decamped to Bigfoot Country for the next few episodes as he seeks the mighty Sasquatch, along with Chris Elliott and the lovely Sarah Tomko. Yes, moviemaking is afoot (BIG foot), and while I go gallivanting all over the deep woods, poor Clyde is confined to a lousy cell in a terrible prison and it's all he can do to keep his spirits up. Can Mama Bear help? Or will she, too, fall prey to the ultimate mythical creature - JUSTICE! 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.

S4 Episode 146 - Mama Bear is on the Way

2026/07/14

As a rash plagues your very successful actor host, Clyde's poor mother has arrived in Bridgeburg to comfort her not very successful son. What will become of the two poor Griffiths, mama and son? Can a simple pious woman rescue her condemned boy from the clutches of death? Let's be honest: probably not. 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.

S4 Episode 145 - The Sacred and Profane

2026/07/07

Your host opines on the nature of the tension between the American branches of the sacred and the profane in a quarter-backed notion that the book "An American Tragedy" can be viewed as a metaphor for the nation itself. Too much? Perhaps. Meanwhile Clyde waits to die. 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.

S4 Episode 144 - Ticked Off!

2026/06/30

Your host opines on pathogen-bearing animals, Tony Danza, and the acting profession before delving into a brand new chapter! Clyde Griffiths is waiting to be fried up like a basket of shrimp but, hopefully, not before seeing his mama one more time. 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.

Podcast reviews

Read Obscure with Michael Ian Black podcast reviews

4.9 out of 5

1767 reviews

★★★★★

Tubbypug 2026/10/09

No! It can’t end

Love love love this podcast. Please reconsider.

★★★★★

Audra76 2026/10/07

I don’t want it to end

I have loved this podcast, and was excited for the next book, as this book came to an end. I am so very sad that this is the last book Michael will be...

★★★★★

Debbiedone 2026/10/06

Sad

So sad that you won’t be continuing Obscure. I really enjoyed it. Looked forward to it every week. Hope you will change your mind! Thanks for the year...

★★★★★

xpyxd 2026/10/06

It’s been a long strange trip

I will miss this so much. I started this having read Jude the Obscure in high school and being triggered by it then before trigger warnings were a thi...

★★★★★

Phelulah 2026/10/06

Aww Hell!!

Please don’t let this be the last book!!! I enjoy the podcast so much!!!

★★★★★

Billiestamps 2026/07/23

Let me count the ways…

There won’t be room for me to describe why this is the most amazing podcast available. I have recommended it to anyone who will listen to me as well ...

★★★★★

altoflyer 2026/02/04

An English literature course every week.

I love this podcast. Michael is so insightful about the literature and I’ve learned almost as much about literature from him as I did from my college ...

★★★★★

whitetie 2025/12/11

It’s like MST3K for books!

The wit and wisdom shown by Michael are wonderful. I’ve listened since the beginning, and it’s been a joy of a journey. I also appreciate when Michael...

★★★★★

mollygraymollygray 2025/11/16

Brilliant

Tuesdays are the best thanks to MIB and his stream of comments and observations. Cannot, will not, miss an episode. I rarely laugh out loud listening ...

★★★★★

Vgdsvhrbkl 2025/11/11

Fun to spend time listening to Michael Ian Black!

Just wondering if you knew that An American Tragedy is based on a true crime story - I looked it up on Wikipedia and discovered that it was a fairly ...

check all reviews on apple podcasts