Misfit Toys

Obscure with Michael Ian Black

Comedy EN ↓ 363 episodes

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...

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: art19.com

Author

Misfit Toys

Category

Comedy

Podcast website

art19.com

Latest episode

Oct 6, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 61 - Death, Death, Dammedable Death. 23.08.2019

Micheal continues to predict Jude’s fate as he dissects a dark and heated conversation between lovers Jude and Sue. And Michael talks with "God Land" writer Lyz Lenz about leaving her own marriage and faith and naming her son...Jude!     This episode is sponsored by Petronics (www.petronics.io/obscure code: OBSCURE). See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. Support the show: h...

Episode 60 - Without Faith. Without Hope. Without Direction. 16.08.2019

Jude and Sue grapple in the aftermath of their devastating tragedy, while Michael steels himself against further sorrow.   This episode is sponsored by Petronics (www.petronics.io/obscure code: 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 ht...

Taking a Breather. 09.08.2019

Michael takes a break amidst all of the suffering to indulge listeners in a calming meditative session. 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-i...

Episode 59 - Done Because We Are Too Menny. 02.08.2019

As we head towards the final pages, Michael is thrown off by a surprising turn of events, which starts with Little Father Time questioning Sue about life and culminates in a startling chilling discovery that changes everything.  See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Episode 58 - No Room at the Inn. 26.07.2019

After facing his failure at the Christminister honorary degree presentation, an ailing Jude hits the road where he and Sue face more rejection for their marital status. And Michael finds common ground with Jude as he prepares to send his son off to college. This episode is sponsored by Petronics (www.petronics.io/obscure code: OBSCURE). See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information....

Episode 57 - Christminster: Returning to the Seat of His Dreams. 19.07.2019

Jude and family return to Christminster, Michael returns to Vegas, and everyone grapples with where they find themselves in life. Michael speaks with actor Joshua Malina about poker. This episode is sponsored by Petronics (www.petronics.io/obscure code: OBSCURE). See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See omnystudio.c...

Episode 56 - Charming the Charmer. 12.07.2019

A jealous Arabella gives advice to a disgraced Phillotson. Meanwhile, Sue tends to a sick Jude who just can’t quit Christminster.  This episode is sponsored by Petronics (www.petronics.io/obscure code: 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 Pol...

Episode 55 - Finding God and Losing Religion. 05.07.2019

In an episode that spans years, Jude and Sue pay a price for their nontraditional domestic arrangement.  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-...

Episode 54 - A Smear Campaign. 28.06.2019

The outrage atJude and Sue’s happiness and their unmarried status continues to cause an uproar among their neighbors, forcing the couple to make some tough decisions. This episode is sponsored by Petronics - Mousr (www.petronics.io/obscure code: OBSCURE). See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See omnystudio.com/liste...

Episode 53 - They Were Happy for Two Paragraphs. 21.06.2019

Jude and Sue settle into a happy domestic life with Jude's son, but trouble follows in the form of a jealous Arabella. 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#d...

Episode 52 - Are You My Mother?. 14.06.2019

Jude’s son arrives, and Sue feels an instant connection. But a wise old widow warns the couple of a tragic doom to come. 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...

Episode 51 - Well! Quite a Piece of News!. 07.06.2019

A surprising plot development makes Sue reconsider marrying Jude. Plus, Michael’s wife Martha returns to discuss this new intrigue. 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....

Episode 50 - A Low-Passioned Woman. 31.05.2019

Jude agrees to stop asking Sue about marriage, but a knock at the door leads to more revelations and a confrontation between the two women competing for the stonemason’s heart. This episode is sponsored by Roman (www.getroman.com/OBSCURE). See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

Episode 49 - Two Dissatisfied Ones. 24.05.2019

Will these two ever figure it out? 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.

Episode 48 - A Town Divided. 17.05.2019

The town of Shaston is split over Phillotson’s controversial dismissal from school, which causes the teacher to become ill and receive a surprise visit. 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 Not...

Episode 47 - The Friend Zone. 10.05.2019

When Jude and Sue run away together, they have different ideas of the state of their relationship. And Michael checks in with writer Nell Scovell about her thoughts on the romance and Hardy's writing. 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 http...

Episode 46 - The Last Breakfast. 03.05.2019

After receiving advice from a friend, Phillotson makes a surprising decision which leads Sue back to Jude. This episode is sponsored by Roman (www.roman.com/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 Californ...

Episode 45 - Stepping Blindly into the Quagmire. 26.04.2019

Phillotson puzzles over how he should respond to the news that Sue wants out of their marriage, and Michael talks to Mike Birbiglia about wanting out of a La Quinta. 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 Californi...

Episode 44 - Coming Out of the Closet. 19.04.2019

Sue and Michael both make confessions of the heart. This episode is sponsored by ButcherBox (www.butcherbox.com/OBSCURE code: 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://ar...

Episode 43 - The Steel Trap of Belief. 05.04.2019

Jude, Sue & Jack Jack all struggle to break free of the ties that bind them. This episode is sponsored by Roman (www.getroman.com/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:...

Episode 42 - Just Do It Already. 29.03.2019

A death in the family brings Sue and Jude together, once again providing Michael with another 'will they or won’t they' moment to pick apart. 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 http...

Episode 41 - The Piano Is Like a Heart. 22.03.2019

Jude & Sue finally meet for tea, and Michael is joined by special guest reader, RISK! host Kevin Allison. 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...

Episode 40 - No Country for Obscure Men. 15.03.2019

Jude distracts himself from women by joining the church choir. And Michael distracts himself from life with episodes of Fargo.   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.

Episode 39 - You Have My Good Wishes, Mrs. Phillotson. 08.03.2019

Jude and Arabella meet for the first time since her marriage. The emotional S&M ensues. 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.

Episode 38 - Three's Company. 01.03.2019

Natasha Leggero joins Michael for a special live reading of Jude at Sketchfest in San Francisco. 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.

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