Obscure with Michael Ian Black

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...

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 Twitte...

A first Thanksgiving in the midcentury masterpiece has come and gone and, with it, a cozy familial gathering. Some brief fireplace talk leads to a quick discussion of your host's imminent demise (imminent in geologic time, that is). Meanwhile, over in Bridgeburg, a sad and lonely Clyde sits alone in a jail cell. Will his new counsel provide some hope? Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's su...

While Clyde awaits his fate, Michael is taking a little time off. But we'll resume the book in the new year. Happy Holidays! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

While Skankfest doesn't sound like the sort of thing your host would enjoy, and yet he did! Your host recounts a trip to New Orleans in which he eats a slice of humble pie discussing the various bro comics he encountered during his trip. Meanwhile, over there in Bridgeburg, the judging is about to commence regarding the fate of one Mr. Clyde Griffiths. Will Clyde secure for himself competent legal...

Your humble host begins this episode kvetching about various First World problems, which include: a damaged washer/dryer, a bed frame imbroglio, and assorted other supply chain/technician fiascoes. Yes, it's an elite episode of Obscure today as we visit with our own Clyde Griffiths sitting there in a Bridgeburg jail cell without benefit of a washer/dryer or tufted bed frame. Terrible. Support &nbs...

Let's contemplate for a moment, shall we, the lack of social structure in poor Clyde Griffith's life. No immediate family to protect him in Lycurgus (though he has, of course, blood relative), no social structure other than the one into which he was wormed his way and to which he dare not speak his secret. The good gal in his life is dead by his hand. Sondra is 17 and worthless. And so, without su...

From the Jill Schwartz Memorial Library here in the wilds of Connecticut... after a 4 year Savannah sojourn, your host has returned to the woods. A new home in a new forested town with new, disease-bearing ticks. Does it feel good to be back in the wilds? It does. As for Clyde, the woods proved to be a disaster. Arrested, imprisoned, and now fighting for his life. The DA Mason needs the case to be...

Two horse patooties on this week's episode of Obscure. In the case of your host, the patootiness stems from taking extra trips when I'd rather be home. This episode, I briefly describe a short trip to New Hampshire from which I've just returned that I need not have agreed to go to, despite the fact that I had cromulent time. The second horse's patootie, of course, is our own Clyde, now incarcerate...

Twice-over murderer Clyde Griffiths finds himself at the mercy of Johnny Law. Now he's in the hoosegow, awaiting his fate. Meanwhile, his fancy pals over at the campsite have are tres, tres bummed. Their own Clyde, arrested for murder? How could it be? And poor Sondra Finchley now left flummoxed and alone; "I don't believe a word of it," says she. Sorry, chicky, but belief doesn't come into play h...

As indisputable proof arises that Clyde is, indeed, the instrument of death in the case of one Roberta Alden, Orville B. Mason isn't having more of young Master Griffiths' bunkum. Things continue to deteriorate for our young hero, whose defense is now crumbling as assuredly as Clyde once assuredly strode through the streets of Lycurgus, New York. Well, his time in Lycurgus is now done. The only qu...

Mallomars, a terrific confection, is the subject of some discussion early in this episode which reminds your host that Mike and Tom Eat Snacks is back, a podcast featuring Michael Ian Black and Tom Cavanagh picking, eating, and rating snacks. Why promote another podcast during this podcast? Because your host is whore. Other whorish behavior in this episode: Clyde Griffiths has confirmed his identi...

Your host complains of insomnia, discusses his genetic mutations, and makes this episode all about HIM instead of the terrible plight of Clyde Griffiths, who remains on the run from Johnny Law. All the good and wealthy young people of Lycurgus a-camping out there in far-flung Adirondack Mountain lakes may not be enough to protect the murderer in their midst... or will they??? Support  Obscure...