Obscure with Michael Ian Black

Misfit Toys•art19.com

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

Last refreshed: August 24th, 2025 at 9:29 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Episode 4 - Prayer and the Wicked Jew.

Friend Krista Tippett joins the conversation about what is hope and why it’s so important, not just to poor Jude, but all of us. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 29, 2018•41 min•Season 1Ep. 4

Episode 3 - Jack-Jack.

Michael realizes that Jude has much in common with his ugly rescue dog, Jack-Jack. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 22, 2018•32 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Episode 2 - A Clapper to the Ass.

It’s hard being stuck in a small town with dreams of bigger things. Sometimes it takes a clapper to the ass to get you on your way. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 15, 2018•30 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Episode 1 - To Begin.

Michael explains why this is probably a terrible idea, as he begins reading "Jude The Obscure." See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jun 08, 2018•31 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Introducing Obscure

Subscribe now - Episode 1 of Obscure premieres June 8th. See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

May 22, 2018•4 min

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