Obscure with Michael Ian Black

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....

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 Cali...

Maybe people suck. Hard to say, exactly, but as we plow forward from testimony to closing arguments, here we are: the same human vices that have plagued the species for millennia are on full display both in Clyde Griffith's time and our own. Such a terrible state of affairs plagues the human condition! But what're we gonna do? Cry about it? Of course not! A new chapter is at hand. Support Obscure!...

Your host reflects on his occasional love for athletic prowess, little of which he possesses. Plus, a sneeze or two might erupt on the podcast owing to allergy season, as we FINALLY end Clyde's testimony. Lo these many pages have come and gone and still no sense of whether the fella's going fry or not! I mean, the trial has done nothing but convince me that he ought to, but will they convict? Supp...

Mighty questions abound during this week's episode of Obscure, including Clyde's true nature, sexual hypocrisy, and whether or not the ice box is properly titled a "refrigerator." Meanwhile, we're still on the stand with our defendant. Word of warning: if you think this is the last episode of testimony from our Cylde, you are incorrect. Even so, things look increasingly dire for our young lad. Can...

From the shores of Lake Como, your host recounts his time in Italy and then spends too much time extolling the virtues of a recent purchase. As for Clyde, well it's more of the same. Mason continues to hammer away at him and Clyde continues to duck and weave for all he's worth. Will Mason finally break the young murderer? Find out on today's scintillating episode!!! Support  Obscure! Read &nb...

A symphony of bells accompanies the beginning of this episode, which comes to you from the shores of Lake Como, Italia. The bambini are about to join your host for a few days of Roman holiday and such. A far better location than a stuffy courtroom, where Clyde continues his back-and-forth with DA Mason. And ol' Mason appears to have Kid Griffiths on the ropes. But will it be enough to convict? Sup...

As your host completes Week 1 of his Italian sabbatical, he shares some banal observations about the Old World because his provincial and foolish brain cannot do otherwise. But "provincial and foolish" can also describe one Clyde Griffiths, now testifying for his darned life, first attempting to establish his truthiness by means of the relatively friendly interrogation of his own lawyer, Jephson....

Clyde continues his testimony to judge, jury, and the Lord God above. As our favorite defendant continues his lies - damnable lies - upon the witness stand, your host continues to express his displeasure with Clyde's defense strategy. And what happens when Mason gets his turn to interrogate this least reliable of narrators? Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael...

As your host gets ready to depart for a month-long "Talented Mr. Ripley" style vacation in Italy, Clyde Griffiths is attempting to play his own long con. The boy is on the witness stand lying through his teeth about the events that led to the death of one Roberta Alden. Will a jury of farmers see through the obfuscations, half-truths, and outright mendacity??? Support  Obscure! Read  Mic...

At long last, we've learned the defense strategy to extricate young Master Griffiths - a claim of physical and moral cowardice. What?! Seems dumb as hell to your host, but who can say? 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.c...

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?!? Sup...

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  Mic...

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 Ins...

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 twis...

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...

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://ar...

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  Mi...

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 Attor...

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...

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...

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? S...

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 &nbsp...

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 &n...

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 Twitt...