Clyde has come a'calling to visit the Samuel Griffiths clan, those Lycurgus sophisticates to whom he is related. He's much impressed with the Griffiths manse and the fine specimens within, save for Gilbert Griffiths, his snooty cousin. It's a tale of manners on this week's splendid episode of Obscure. 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/pri...
May 28, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 42
On today's episode of Mike and Tom Eat Snacks, Mike and Tom review Cheetos Puffs. Admittedly, this isn't Mike and Tom Eat Snacks, but you do get one (1) free snack review at the top of this episode. Plus, Clyde and girls, girls and Clyde. AND, an unexpected invitation arrives... 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-inf...
May 21, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 41
This episode is dedicated to the combination of cake and ice cream. Why is this not a greater topic of conversation in the culture? Because we take it for granted, that's why! Well, your host isn't going to ignore this award-winning combo any longer. Cake, you're terrific. Ice cream, great. But you put those two together, and by God, you've got yourself a sum greater than its parts. Ice cream and cake, we salute you. Also in this episode: Clyde does some dancing. Support Obscure! Read Michael's ...
May 14, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 40
A new character has entered the fray, Walter Dillard, a grifter aspirant. Young Dillard attempts to ingratiate himself with our hero, Clyde Griffiths, by inviting him to a social... with refreshments! Not to mention a couple of young lasses, all of whom have their sights set on a promising young chap with a fortuitous surname. Clyde, wary and tempted, need only procure himself a dress suit to open fate's door. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on I...
May 07, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 39
Clyde meets a fellow boarder, a Niles to his Frasier, a "brainless sprig" named Walter Dillard. Dillard is eager to make Clyde's acquaintance upon learning his surname and to squire him around the bright lights of Lycurgus. It's no Nashville, where your host finds himself hanging about petting a bearded dragon or two. Could Walter Dillard be a bearded dragon himself??? Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art...
Apr 30, 2024•29 min•Season 4Ep. 38
A sibling spat, if not an outright rivalry, is emerging between the Lycurgus Griffiths children over the arrival of the hayseed Clyde. And you know what happens when hayseeds show up - allergies!!! 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 ....
Apr 23, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 37
Reporting from the docks today as your host gets ready to depart upon the high seas. Yes, it's a maritime adventure on this week's episode of Obscure. Your host is a guest of the Valiant Lady, the subject of our book the guest of the Griffiths Collar Company. Clyde finishes his tour of the factory and then takes his own tour of the fine residential neighborhoods of Lycurgus. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https...
Apr 16, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 36
Clyde is assigned to the dregs of the Griffiths Collar Manufacturing Concern. After a somewhat terse exchange with his cousin, Gilbert, Clyde is escorted through the manufactury, where he witnesses all the sights and sounds of a great collar concern. Fascinating stuff. 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 ....
Apr 09, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 35
Clyde is making his way through Lygurgus, NY in seek of his fortune. We're getting a tour of the Griffiths Collar Making Factory as young Master Clyde of the Asa Griffiths clan presents himself at the office of his cousin Gilbert. A little cousin-on-cousin action on this episode of OBSCURE. 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...
Apr 02, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 34
Those who know of my work no doubt also know the work of one of my besties, David Wain. His dad, Norman Wain, gave some business advice years ago that I remember in this episode of Obscure. Business is also very much on the mind of Clyde Griffiths and his uncle, the collar entrepreneur, Sam. Did Clyde just secure his future? Listen and find out! Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Calif...
Mar 26, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 33
Clyde is about to meet his uncle, Samuel Griffith, who has come to Chicago and is staying at the very club in which Clyde's employ is now secured. But how to approach the Great Man? Would his uncle find him nothing more than an aged bellhop in laughable circumstances? Listen on and find out! 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-no...
Mar 19, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 32
Your humble host is laid up with a blown-out back as he endeavors to feed your literary hunger. A surprise awaits Clyde in Chicago, which provides our young hero with a new opportunity... and new danger?!? 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 ....
Mar 12, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 31
It's been three years since the tragic events of Clyde's Kansas City days. What has he been doing in the ensuing years? How did he make his way to Chicago? What about his poor, pious parents? Did the rest of the gang end up in the pokey? Find out on this informative episode of Obscure! Check out Michael's column in the Daily Beast 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 N...
Mar 05, 2024•33 min•Season 4Ep. 30
My God, yet another episode with Bella talking about the goddamned boat lunch the Finchleys are building up at Greenwood Lake. Like the rest of the Griffiths clan, Michael doesn't care. Rich people and their rich people gossip. Not for him, thanks. 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 ....
Feb 27, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 29
No, it's not Welsh but it certainly is fun to say. This week, we're dealing with fancy ladies and chaps, in particular a certain Bella Griffiths angling for a summer at Greenwood Lake! Plus, a facile comparison of Clyde Griffiths, Sammy Glick, and Jay Gatsby. 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 ....
Feb 20, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 28
There's mooks aplenty on another tantalizing episode of Obscure. One from contemporary times, and several from the book. Plus: we fail to find a good definition for "macerating wheel"! 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 ....
Feb 13, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 27
Those meddlesome kids are causing mayhem - absolute mayhem - out there in Kansas City, MO. They're running over girls and crashing cars and engaging in high-speed car chases. It's madness with these kids! 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 ....
Feb 07, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 26
"Gee, but you're mean." The fact is, these two young people are exhausting. Clyde and Hortense continue their back-and-forth and we're forced to endure their irritating pas de deux . More bickering, more dilly-dallying. And maybe Hortense is on her period. Not sure. Plus, a book recommendation! 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...
Jan 30, 2024•32 min•Season 4Ep. 25
All kinds of curves: whips and curves in the river bend and the curves of one Hortense Briggs: hippy curves, booby curves, butty curves. And skirts hiked above the knees! It's sin, sin, and more sin on a positively scandalous episode of Obscure. Lust! Jealousy! Covetousness! Prepare your delicate minds!!! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jan 23, 2024•34 min•Season 4Ep. 24
Horny teens speeding along a snowy road in a stolen car. What could possibly go wrong? Perhaps the tragedy will be vehicular or perhaps something involving the human heart. Clyde and Hortense seem to be heading towards their own collision as a rival emerges. Support the show & get more Obscure 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 16, 2024•28 min•Season 4Ep. 23
Well, Clyde has promised 50 dollars to Hortense and Hortense has promised her whole self to Clyde and Clyde's mama needs 50 bucks for Hester also known as Esta. Everybody needs 50 bucks! Will he choose his sister or his penis? Frankly, Michael is distraught. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Jan 09, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 22
As we barrel through the holiday season, your curmudgeonly host grouches about all things consumerist. It is, after all, the corrosive acid of consumerism eating up our hero Clyde Griffiths as he weighs the request by his beloved to acquire for her a little fur coat. If only she were the only one making financial demands upon him... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Dec 26, 2023•32 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Clyde Griffiths doesn't seem to mind receiving a little abuse, and Hortense Briggs doesn't seem to mind dishing it out. Just a little Freudian nonsense to focus one's mind during a little pas de deux between boy and girl. The object of lust at the center of today's episode: an adorable fur coat. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Dec 19, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 20
It's all about sex for Clyde Griffiths as he contemplates the sensual life. Hortense Briggs is playing her little reindeer games with Clyde's heart with little regard for the pain she's causing him. Plus, your host is about to play some high-stakes Las Vegas poker. And, we learn the correct pronunciation of "gewgaw." More high stakes activity: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-...
Dec 12, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 19
In addition to the international tragedy of wars breaking out across the globe, your host is experiencing his own American tragedy of insomnia and fatigue. Not to compare one tragedy to the other, but my American tragedy is worse. As for the book by the same title, Clyde has discovered his poor, knocked-up sister. They meet and converse and Clyde feels both resentful and conflicted regarding his own strivings. A petty psychological drama unfolds in this sparking episode. More Obscure! https://ww...
Dec 05, 2023•37 min•Season 4Ep. 18
A strange incident at the Taco Bell leads your humble host to reflect on the importance of being aware of one's surroundings. Back in Kansas City, Clyde Griffiths, too, is studying his own surroundings, leading him to discover a secret in a seedy neighborhood. Lives are going off the rails on this episode of "Obscure." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Nov 28, 2023•35 min•Season 4Ep. 17
As your humble, exhausted host tours New York City, where everything is up to date, Clyde Griffiths is at the center of the world, Kansas City, MO where he continues to entertain the enchanting Hortense. Will she one day favor Clyde above all others? It doesn't look promising. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Nov 21, 2023•33 min•Season 4Ep. 16
As another war breaks out in the Holy Land, your befuddled host offers his less-than-half-baked thoughts on the situation in Israel. Forget about the world's troubles for a few moments, will you not, as we follow Clyde's romantic misadventures. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .
Nov 14, 2023•37 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Michael's in Chicago and Clyde's in heat. More 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 .
Nov 07, 2023•40 min•Season 4Ep. 14
Celebrating young love today on Obscure. T-Swift has got herself a new beau. Dane Cook has a new child bride. And Clyde Griffiths is out there in KC with a bevy of young beauties on his arm. Plus there's some mystical talk as well as some good old-fashioned story-reading. Side note: He knows that Taylor Swift's new boyfriend isn't the quarterback. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info ....
Oct 31, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 13
