Clyde visits one of Kansas City's finest brothels with his fellow bell hops for a night of frivolity. What will this poor, penitent boy think of such doings? Plus, your host recounts a bad appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman More bad appearances at https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Oct 24, 2023•26 min•Season 4Ep. 12
The bell hops are getting ready for their big night out at Frissell's and trade stories of life at the hotel. Plus we meet Davis Higby who says, "That's right." Drinks will be drunk and chops chopped! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Oct 17, 2023•42 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Well, we've got everything in this episode: digestive biscuits, high-stakes gambling, forbidden fruit, and a gang of rambunctious bellhops. Clyde Griffiths is getting ready to hit the town with his compatriots. They've got a lead on some good chops, fine drink, and a house of questionable repute. They boys are planning one of their monthly outings, and Clyde is getting his fun on. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-se...
Oct 10, 2023•28 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Your erstwhile host is back in sultry Savannah. Over in KC, all the bellboys are hoppin' over there at the Green-Davidson, the city's finest hotel establishment. Clyde Griffiths continues learning the ropes and, now that he's been there a minute, the hotel's seedier side is being revealed to the boy for the first time. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Oct 03, 2023•40 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Clyde Griffiths is off and running - almost literally - as he begins his new bellhop duties. What an exciting turn of events for that young lad! Meanwhile, a domestic crisis hits the Black household. Young people in disarray on this week's episode of Obscure. Support the show! And get episodes early and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Sep 26, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Clyde Griffiths is about to make his fortune. The bellhop job is his, and you won't believe the sums at play. Benefits and salaries totaling $48 dollars a week. Plus meals! Plus a handsome uniform! A fella could set himself up right with that kind of dough. Things are looking up indeed for old Clyde Griffiths. Good for him. As for your host, he's suffering from insomnia. More at https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice ...
Sep 19, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Big doings there in KC, MO for Clyde Griffiths. They've gone about as fur as they can go. Clyde is casting his eyes towards greener pastures and stumbles upon the finest hotel in town.. twelve stories tall!!! What an exciting turn of events for a kid looking to break free. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Sep 12, 2023•37 min•Season 4Ep. 6
An exciting week blooms for your host as UFOs, Rogers and Hammerstein, and poker all make an appearance. Sadly, things aren't so rosy for the Griffiths. Their daughter is out there doing God knows what with James Franco and Clyde wonders whether he, too, might escape. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Sep 05, 2023•41 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Some heavy-duty chemism in this week's episode as scandal erupts in the Griffiths household! Like the rest of us, poor Hester is just trying to find something to hold onto in this life and finds an unexpected ally... a MASHER!!! PLUS: your host is annoyed at the way Brits infantilize food items. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Aug 29, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Michael talks too much about his neighborhood and the food he ate in the first part of this episode, so if you want to just go ahead and skip that, he wouldn't blame you. Plus, maybe he was inadvertently offensive. Who knows! But then we get into the book, and we get a peek into the sullen mind of Clyde Griffiths. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Aug 22, 2023•38 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Some old news and some new news: the old news is that your irascible host celebrated July 4th abroad by taking in a now newish film. Review ahead! Also, we get to know the Griffiths family a bit better, in particular the surly teenage son, Clyde. Spoiler: he continues to be surly. Get early, ad-free access here! https://www.patreon.com/MICHAELIANBLACK See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Aug 15, 2023•43 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Welcome to Season 4 of Obscure. This season marks the beginning of our second American novel (our first if, for some reason, you do NOT consider Wuthering Heights an American book). After a restful few months in Rome, your host finds himself in bonny Londontown, excited to begin again. So, let us take the first of what promises to be many steps on what will be a fruitiful American journey. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#...
Aug 08, 2023•47 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Well, we did it. We read every page - nay, every word - of this classic American novel. Now a summary episode to figure out what the hell it is that we read. Would love to hear your opinions as Michael shares his own. Regardless, we will take a little break before Season 4. Enjoy your vacation, class. https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Apr 25, 2023•32 min•Season 3Ep. 67
We're in Dublin for the final episode of the reading of Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff seems to be longing for death. In his case, though, it seems like Heathcliff may get his wish. As for Cathy and Hareton, they're on their way to Happy Town, as is your host, who took some edibles before beginning this recording. https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Apr 18, 2023•51 min•Season 3Ep. 66
The penultimate episode of Wuthering Heights is, at last, upon us. Lest you think the book will end without fireworks, think again! Some currant shrubs ignite the fuse and ka-bam! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Apr 11, 2023•46 min•Season 3Ep. 65
Cathy Jr. is hard at work making amends with her stupid cousin Hareton. But don't worry, she doesn't mean anything by calling him so. Will Hareton forgive his cousin? Can two first cousins find their way together in this crazy world? Hard to say, but we all like happy endings, don't we? Well, don't we??? https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Apr 04, 2023•36 min•Season 3Ep. 64
Your host arrives in Italy with one question. As for Heathcliff & Co., things are shaking up and shaking out as we zip towards the conclusion of Season 3. Some big changes at Wuthering Heights, all of them in this host's view, a little too convenient. https://www.patreon.com/home See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Mar 28, 2023•33 min•Season 3Ep. 63
The New World gives way to the Old as your host gears up for his extended sojourn to Italia. Some advice: if you're feeling depressed/anxious, best thing to do is to totally upend your life. Chaos almost surely cures chaos. Right? Also, those jerks over at Wuthering Heights are still on their crap. https://www.patreon.com/home See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Mar 21, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 62
Well, another moody week on the moors. Your host finds himself essentially incapacitated by depression and those dickheads over at Wuthering Heights aren't much helping matters. https://www.patreon.com/home See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Mar 14, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 61
If you were wondering if Zillah sucks - she does. More misdeeds, more corruption, and malevolence. Only Cathy Jr. retains her humanity in this morass. And maybe say your goodbyes to Linton while you still can, the schmuck. https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Mar 07, 2023•34 min•Season 3Ep. 60
Everything's a bummer. Michael's a bummer. Here's the quote from which the title derives: "Depression is being colorblind and constantly told how colorful the world is.” https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Feb 28, 2023•21 min•Season 3Ep. 59
We’re shooting down stuff faster than the aliens can send it up there. Michael briefly recaps the airborne events of the previous week and then, at long last, somebody dies in the great American novel, “Wuthering Heights” https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Feb 21, 2023•32 min•Season 3Ep. 58
It's an audiophile's dream episode! Marvel at the many moods! There's kidnapping and forced marriage, imprisonment, and bogs! BOGS!!! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Feb 14, 2023•31 min•Season 3Ep. 57
Rebellion is on the docket as Cathy Jr. finds herself in quite the predicament over there at Wuthering Heights. There's kidnapping! Forced marriage! Fictionalized, theoretical domestic violence! It's positively savage!!! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Feb 07, 2023•34 min•Season 3Ep. 56
Hey stupid, it's the guns. Today's episode explores the difference and distinction between fictionalized violence and the real sort. One of them is highly entertaining, the other not so much. PLUS: more American contretemps between Heathcliff and the rest of the gang. Support the show! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jan 31, 2023•32 min•Season 3Ep. 55
Your terrific host finally gets around to discussing the Kate Bush song of, coincidentally, the same name as the great American novel. Then, an uneventful chapter. Plus: your host crowns "Wuthering Heights" the "first contemporary BDSM novel." All in all, a terrific episode. Support the show! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jan 24, 2023•33 min•Season 3Ep. 54
In which your narrator struggles to identify the connective themes that make this classic American novel a classic American novel and, sorry to say, comes up short. Is this an indictment of the book or your narrator? Hard to say. https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jan 17, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 53
It's our 52nd episode of Season 3 - a year's worth of episodes landing on the New Year. What an exciting coincidence! Hope everybody celebrated in the way they enjoy most. In Michael's case, that involves staying home and doing nothing. Over at the Heights, we're getting a better understanding of Cathy Jr. and her crappy cousin Linton's relationship. Suffice to say, they suck. https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at...
Jan 10, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 52
Well, what's going to happen when you give a couple teenagers too much free time? TROUBLE, that's what! And when you've got a couple actual devils conspiring to create mischief, mischief is exactly what you're going to get. Mrs. Dean is laid up for three weeks, leaving young Cathy Jr. with plenty of nightly leisure time. And you can well imagine the result!!! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com...
Jan 03, 2023•32 min•Season 3Ep. 51
Part II of Michael's Miami adventure unspools as his odyssey comes to a dispiriting conclusion. And, you'll be thrilled to learn, it's ALL HIS FAULT. Plus, Linton and Cathy Jr. tussle and make up, the weirdos. https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Dec 20, 2022•31 min•Season 3Ep. 50
