Obscure with Michael Ian Black

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...

First off, your host doesn't party. Didn't party in 1999 and doesn't party now, so the title was, we're sorry to report, a lie. Even so, some late 20th century memories are returning to this 21st century babe, which involve living back in NYC after a multiple-decade absence. One can feel mighty alone, even when surrounded by people. You know who's aware of that more than even your host? Mr. Clyde...

Both Clyde and your host have a few bucks in our pockets. Your host, because he is a VERY FAMOUS CNN political contributor (not, strictly speaking, true) and because Clyde's gal pal Sondra Finchley slipped him eighty smackaroos, which is something like ten million dollars in today's money. (Again, not true). Are Clyde's final days of freedom upon him, or will he escape Johnny Law's long arm and re...

Your host has returned from the former honeymoon capital of the world (not Niagara Falls) feeling like he's still on the move. Decades of travel have left your handsome narrator feeling plum tuckered out. You know who else is tuckered out? Clyde Griffiths, on the run, panicked, mentally velocitized. Will Johnny Law's long arm reach him all the way in Sharon, where he waits on the west veranda for...

Is the name of the opera your host was trying to recall during this week's episode. And it's desire, is it not, that has driven Clyde Griffiths to his murderous fate? Desire for love, money, social status, desire for a new pair of spats and a fancy cravat. And now he's on the run for his very life. Desire has destroyed better people than ol' Clyde and it's desire that will, eventually, do him in....

Haven't we all felt hatred for The Man at some point? In Orville Mason's case, the man in question is the murderer of Roberta Alden. Is that Clyde Griffiths? It sure looks like it, and DA Mason is practically seething at the whichever rich wastrel did Ms. Alden in. Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow  Michael on Instagram See Privacy Pol...

The episode begins with a delightful recounting of a water adventure, which segues PERFECTLY into the horror show unfolding over there on Big Bittern. Highs and low on another cromulent 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 Noti...

As Book 3 unfolds, we're starting to transform from "The Wire" to "Law & Order." We've got the DA (portrayed by the late Jerry Orbach) and the coroner (portrayed by the late Foster Brooks). Yes, it's a perfectly cromulent episode of Obscure. Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow  Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19...

Having just spent two days in the car with his pets, your host spends most of the episode complaining about the adorable Ole and Squash, who are not adorable. Things are worse, however, for Bert Alden, dead at the bottom of a lake. Thankfully, Orville Mason is on the case! Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow  Michael on Instagram See Pri...

There's been a murder (maybe) in these here parts and political machinations are afoot! The coroner, upon suspecting foul play, has some ideas in that big head of his. While murder is never welcome, when it arrives, one would be a fool not to use it to one's advantage... Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow  Michael on Instagram See Priva...

Reporting this episode from the former honeymoon capital of the world (not Niagra Falls), the Poconos Mountains which is an ideal location to commit a lake drowning. A lake drowning has, in fact, occurred. Clyde, our poor benighted Clyde, has gone and done it. And now, we shall see what consequences await. Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow...

Perhaps we are at the moment of no return. Hard to say, of course, and lo we have had the rug pulled from under our feet so many times over these last almost 100 episodes. Clyde Griffiths is possessed now, a demon steadying his hand as the deadly moment has now arrived. Or has it??? Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow  Michael on Instagr...

An airport adventure begins this week's episode but your host is happy to assure you that, while his family's was waylaid in NYC attempting to return home to the Deep South. An overnight stay at JFK ensued, with a detour to Minneapolis, before heading, finally to Savannah. And yet... AND YET! Our trip was still better than Roberta Alden's elopement. Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's subs...

Some thoughts on Waffle House and some heavy breathing kick off this week's episode. Meanwhile, all kinds of trouble await poor Robert Alden as she decamps for what she believes to be her elopement. But, of course, you and I know no such elopement is forthcoming. The only event Roberta has to look forward to is... MURDER!!! Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael...