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 37 - The Business of Giving Her Away. 22.02.2019

Jude experiences pangs of regret, and Michael finds himself falling in love with Hardy all over again. This episode is sponsored by The Harold Ramis Film School (www.ramisfilmschool.com or call 312-883-1241).  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 Polic...

Episode 36 - Runaround Sue. 15.02.2019

Sue asks Jude to play an important role in a big event, and Michael checks in with his wife Martha to get answers to some burning questions. 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 35 - Leave the Door Open a Crack. 08.02.2019

Jude confesses his romantic past to Sue. And Michael confesses his romantic past to you. 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 34 - She's Just Not That Into You. 01.02.2019

The plot thickens as we catch up with Phillotson, out in search of the truth about Sue. 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 33 - Going Through the Spanking Machine. 25.01.2019

Michael contemplates throwing the book into the fire in frustration while Jude and Sue go round and round. 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-m...

Episode 32 - Don’t Be Such a Wet Noodle. 18.01.2019

Sue finally admits she sees love in Jude's eyes, and Michael sees himself in Jude.   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 31 - I’m a Negation of Civilization. 11.01.2019

Sue reveals her true self to Jude, and Michael has an epiphany about why this book is considered a classic.   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 30 - Take Off Those Wet Clothes. 04.01.2019

Michael is joined by Another Period co-star Paget Brewster to read an intimate scene between the notorious cousins following an incident with Sue’s gossipy classmates.   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-...

Episode 29 - Anything Can Happen Here. 28.12.2018

Jude the Obscure is getting hot, and Michael is all aflutter! 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 28 - Now Don't Be Such A Silly Boy. 21.12.2018

Jude goes to Melchester where a lonely Sue makes a startling confession. 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 27 - There's Nothing Wrong With Community Theater. 14.12.2018

Jude heads back to Marygreen with his tail between his legs. And we learn that Michael's just a human too. This episode is sponsored by RXBAR (www. RXBAR.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/priva...

Episode 26 - Jude the Hack. 07.12.2018

Michael turns to fellow comedian Guy Branum to help break down Jude’s Latin performance at the local tavern.   This episode is sponsored by Away (www.awaytravel.com/obscure code: OBSCURE).   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...

Episode 25 - Jude Is No Jack Reacher. 30.11.2018

Jude realizes he may never get the higher education he has always wanted, and Michael talks to his old friend David Wain about handling disappointment. This episode is sponsored by Man of the People with Pat Tomasulo (www.wgntv.com/LIVE). See omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Episode 24 - Jude: The Walking Dead. 23.11.2018

Ghosts and Zombies and Meth Heads, oh my!   This episode is sponsored by Man of the People with Pat Tomasulo (www.wgntv.com/LIVE).   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 23 - One Thing We Know about Triangles, They Have Pointy Sides. 16.11.2018

Michael's invites his wife Martha back to comment on the book's Bizarre Love Triangle.   This episode is sponsored by Man Of The People with Pat Tomasulo (www.wgntv.com/LIVE)   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-no...

Episode 22 - Never Meet Your Heroes. 09.11.2018

The hilarious Nell Scovell returns to weigh in on Jude’s latest disappointing encounter.   This episode is sponsored by Man Of The People with Pat Tomasulo (www.wgntv.com/LIVE) and RXBAR (www. RXBAR.com/OBSCURE code: OBSCURE).   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 21 - Jude the...Psycho?. 02.11.2018

We learn more about Jude's special cousin Sue Bridehead, who is also looking for something new in her life.  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...

Episode 20 - Jude the Stalker. 26.10.2018

Jude’s interest in his cousin Sue Bridehead leads him to follow her to church. Will he finally speak to her?   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-se...

Episode 19 - Good Jude Hunting. 19.10.2018

Jude gets settled in Christminster, and decides to seek out his cousin Sue. This episode is sponsored by Heineken. 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-no...

Episode 18 - Dreaming Tree. 05.10.2018

Jude meditates on ancient philosophers, and Michael mediates on modern pop music. This episode is sponsored by Heineken. 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 17 - You Have Arrived at Your Destination. 28.09.2018

Jude arrives in Christminster, and Michael and comedian Maeve Higgins tell ghost stories. 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 16 - Recapping with Ruthie. 21.09.2018

Michael sits down with his teen daughter to catch her up on Jude.   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 15 - Lonely Days. 14.09.2018

Comedian Jen Kirkman offers Jude advice on getting through a tough divorce. Meanwhile Jude’s heartbreak over the split worsens when he make a discovery in a local shop. 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 Califo...

Episode 14 - Laying the Lard on Thick. 07.09.2018

Michael breaks out the Victorian dictionary for the first time, and Jude turns to the drink.   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 13 - JB Twisting the Knife. 31.08.2018

Friend Kevin Allison guest stars in a drama-filled episode where the pig meets its fate, and Arabella stabs Jude in the back as a friend reveals her secret.     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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