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★★★★★

4.9

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1762 reviews

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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

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S4 Episode 134 - A Terrible Gamble

2026/04/21

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 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 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 133 - The Ides and Teeth of March

2026/04/14

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 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 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 132 - I Don't Want To Do Things

2026/04/07

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 from your host before we get back to the matter at hand, the trial of one Clyde Griffiths. 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 131 - Better To Have Confessed

2026/03/31

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 - 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 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 130 - Wrong About Most Things

2026/03/24

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! 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 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 129 - DE-Fense! De-FENSE!

2026/03/17

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 antiquity. AND a new nickname for Robert is 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.

S4 Episode 128 - Fighting for His Very Life

2026/03/10

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 certainly doesn't leave any room for doubt. That's one guilty son of a gun. Or say I! Plus, it remains cold. 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 127 - The Best Face He Can

2026/03/03

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 opening argument. (I don't know if the area in front of the bench is called "the well" but it seems to me it ought to be.) Electric. Dynamic. So Dreiser described the speaking style of the District Attorney. It's an episode of nearly pure monologue! 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 126 - An Uphill Climb... Both Ways!

2026/02/24

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 Dudley Sheerline - who cares? Some Dickensian humor pops its head up and blows us all a delicious raspberry. 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 125 - Like Flying Birds

2026/02/17

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 Bridgeburg, NY, are various reporters and correspondents and townsfolk hoping to get a view of the murderer, Clyde Griffiths. Some thoughts on winter and holiday and death follow. 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 124 - From the Master Boudoir...

2026/02/10

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 Griffiths family has now been appraised of their eldest boy's troubles. Will they abscond to Bridgeburg, as your host absconded to his master boudoir? Or will they remain, per instructions, where they are? 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 123 - Bawl in the Family

2026/02/03

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 the plight of their Clyde. Meanwhile, squalor of the heart precedes squalor of the Jill Schwartz Memorial Library, which remains chaotic. 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 122 - An Ambling Man

2026/01/27

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 Truth! Yes, Truth, that misty island just offshore. PLUS, the question is asked: "What relationship did Dreiser have, if any, with Mark Twain?" The answer will SHOCK you!!! 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 121 - Exculpatory Maneuvering

2026/01/20

A library amuck! The nature of tragedy contemplated! A legal strategy formulated! Rubble and debris of both the construction and personal types. Plus, brain storms from Clyde's legal team and, potentially, from Clyde himself. The stakes could not be higher as our hero's new counsel lays the foundation for a defense. 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 120 - Mr. Reuben Jephson

2026/01/13

And now, the introduction of a, perhaps, pivotal character - the brown Mr. Jephson, partner of Belknap and counsel to one Clyde Griffiths. Will it fall to Jephson to concoct a plausible defense for our erstwhile hero? Your host, unfortunately, is incapable of speculation as he's chilled to the core up in the wilds. 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

1762 reviews

★★★★★

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 ...

★★★★★

Vespalib 2025/10/30

Not just because it’s Taco Tuesday…

Tuesdays have become my favorite day of the week! If MIB had been my HS English teacher, my life might’ve gone in a completely different direction.

★★★★★

Corrina Raquel 2025/10/01

A must

I need every book read to me by Micheal Ian Black …

★★★★★

Bo the Renaissance man 2025/08/30

Oddly entertaining, like long distance running

It’s like audible with seasoning

★★★★★

Kathodes81 2025/08/28

Tha best

By far, my favorite podcast ever and the only reason that I’m not on it in the Apple app is cause I subscribe to it through Patreon to get episodes qu...

★★★★★

Hnnhvw 2025/06/20

Everything I never knew I needed!

I am blind, so I exclusively listen to audiobooks. I am also a huge Michael Ian black fan! So I’m pretty sure this podcast was made for me 😉 now I ne...

★★★★★

Julianna202 2025/05/20

Best way to ingest literature

I’ve been with Mike since he was eating snacks, and I wish him all the success but please never stop reading to us and commenting as you go!

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