Obscure with Michael Ian Black

Danger abounds as Clyde and Roberta dance along a pinhead! How do they navigate this treacherous impasse at which they've found themselves? It's well-nigh impossible. Impossible! Desire is the streetcar upon which they find themselves riding, and you know what happens when Tennessee Williams writes a play about it. These two poor kids want each other in the wurst (purposeful misspelling) way. Supp...

A true American tragedy occurred right before the taping of this episode of  Obscure.  How wilI your host continue in light of such awfulness of the dungarees variety? Clyde and Roberta are on the precipice of a break-up as they try to navigate the uncertain boundary waters of sexual adventuring? We know not! Yet they, like your humble host, endure. Support  Obscure! Read  Mich...

A little too much guacamole on today's episode of "Obscure." Sometimes even delicious things can leave one feeling overstuffed: guacamole and, yes, even YOUNG LOVE! Clyde and Roberta are at a real crossroads. How are they possibly going to keep their trysting without a new location in which to tryst? Roberta is movin' out! Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael o...

Some terrific snack talk at the start of today's episode, in which your host expounds on one of the finest confections, the traditional ice cream sandwich. Plus, ice cream makes a cameo in the story itself, as Clyde and Roberta plot their lies and deception. They are as cold-hearted as the desserts they consume! Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter F...

The love between Clyde and Roberta continues to grow by leaps and bounds, but problems arise as the two lovebirds find themselves struggling to steal away a little time together. How to tryst!?! Such struggles, such raw emotion, such horniness! Plus, your humble host finds himself in a mediocre hotel in Columbus, OH for the purposes of performing a single comedic performance that is 30% sold out!...

As Tropical Storm Debby lashes the Jill Schwartz Memorial Library, Clyde and Roberta are drowning... in love! Plus, many references to the Rubicon, whirlpools, splashing around, and the dangers of getting in over your hand. A tryst is in the offing! It's a soaking wet episode of Obscure. Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow  Michael on In...

Clyde is desperately trying to escape the borders of his own social strictures as he connives to engage Roberta in conversation and possibly even... CANOODLING! Plus, your host finally reveals his current Taco Bell order! ALSO: He reveals his new job, but says this with all humility: please do not post this information because - to his surprise - it is NOT yet public. Also his explanation about pa...

Clyde and Roberta are about to do the deed (share a canoe). After months of distant lustery, the two have found themselves in the same place at the same time, out on the water of a public park. Plus, a memory of the comedian Kevin Meany, as well as a explanation of the military term "pink mist." This episode has it all! Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on T...

The heat is rising out there in Lycurgus. Nothing to do in the stultifying heat but rent a boat and head on out to Crum Lake and eat some goddamned watermelon, which is how your host has been spending about 40% of his time when not reading classic works of literature and commenting on them out loud. Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow  M...

A mystery resolved! In last week's episode, we puzzled over the identity of a certain Mrs. Peyton. Friends, that mystery is solved in this tantalizing episode of Obscure. PLUS! Some light bowling commentary AND Clyde is dreaming of love. If you listen to one episode of ANY podcast this year, make it this one. Or not Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitt...

Huge episode today as we cross the proverbial Rubicon. There's no going back now, not after we reach the half century mark. As we cross our own point of no return, old Clyde Griffiths and his new flame, Roberta Alden, seem destined to cross their own. A tepid love blossoms apace! Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow  Michael on Instagram...

Ok look, that's not a great title. The pun is nonsensical, but how else to convey that this is the first episode in which your host reviews the old-timey Zagnut bar. In the world of Clyde and Roberta Alden, we're further exploring the inner life of our young heroine and tracing the history that led her to Lycurgus. Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitte...

We learn a bit more about the new gal, Roberta Alden, in today's episode. Her past, her hometown, her family. Plus, some ruminating on the politics of the day and a little opinionating on the subject of love. 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 N...

A working girl has caught Clyde's eye. Some new hire from 50 miles north of Lycurgus, a Miss Roberta Alden, delicate of hand and lip. What difficulties for a sensitive young man such as Clyde when he's already got three stocky foreigners attuned to his every movement. It's gettin' sexy up in here! Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow  Mic...

There you have it, three funny city names. You don't need any other funny city names when you've got these. If you're worried that there aren't enough funny city names, there are. There are three. And these are they. Don't try to top them. You can't. Also, Clyde attends a fancy automobile and floral display. Fabulous! Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twi...

Clyde has been bumped up to the 5th floor of the Griffiths Collar Factory to oversee collar stamping. There's collars to be stamped and Clyde is being given a shot at this important responsibility. I'm not going to lie - it's A LOT of collars. There's baskets and bundles and paperwork to be filled out, not to mention a bunch of GIRLS sitting around doing the stampin'! Support  Obscure! Read &...

Could Clyde possibly be a snob? Does he have it within him? Dreiser certainly seems to think so. On today's episode of Obscure, Clyde is cast from the fine home on Wycagy Avenue and contemplates a return to Chicago. But then, an unexpected turn of events raises Clyde in the estimation of his relations. Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow &nbs...

The old Groucho line has rarely been more apropos than in this week's episode. Everybody's turning their back on poor Clyde. The hottie Sondra, the matriarchal Elizabeth Griffiths, and in fact the entire Griffiths clan, save one of the Griffiths girls. And, on top of everything else, we have to deal with the name "Bertine," of which your host is NOT a fan. Support  Obscure! Read  Michael...

Clyde has come a'calling to visit the Samuel Griffiths clan, those Lycurgus sophisticates to whom he is related. He's much impressed with the Griffiths manse and the fine specimens within, save for Gilbert Griffiths, his snooty cousin. It's a tale of manners on this week's splendid episode of Obscure. Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow &nbsp...

On today's episode of Mike and Tom Eat Snacks, Mike and Tom review Cheetos Puffs. Admittedly, this isn't Mike and Tom Eat Snacks, but you do get one (1) free snack review at the top of this episode. Plus, Clyde and girls, girls and Clyde. AND, an unexpected invitation arrives... Support  Obscure! Read  Michael's substack Follow  Michael on Twitter Follow  Michael on Instagram S...

This episode is dedicated to the combination of cake and ice cream. Why is this not a greater topic of conversation in the culture? Because we take it for granted, that's why! Well, your host isn't going to ignore this award-winning combo any longer. Cake, you're terrific. Ice cream, great. But you put those two together, and by God, you've got yourself a sum greater than its parts. Ice cream and...

A new character has entered the fray, Walter Dillard, a grifter aspirant. Young Dillard attempts to ingratiate himself with our hero, Clyde Griffiths, by inviting him to a social... with refreshments! Not to mention a couple of young lasses, all of whom have their sights set on a promising young chap with a fortuitous surname. Clyde, wary and tempted, need only procure himself a dress suit to open...

Clyde meets a fellow boarder, a Niles to his Frasier, a "brainless sprig" named Walter Dillard. Dillard is eager to make Clyde's acquaintance upon learning his surname and to squire him around the bright lights of Lycurgus. It's no Nashville, where your host finds himself hanging about petting a bearded dragon or two. Could Walter Dillard be a bearded dragon himself??? Support  Obscure! Read...

A sibling spat, if not an outright rivalry, is emerging between the Lycurgus Griffiths children over the arrival of the hayseed Clyde. And you know what happens when hayseeds show up - allergies!!! 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 ht...

Reporting from the docks today as your host gets ready to depart upon the high seas. Yes, it's a maritime adventure on this week's episode of Obscure. Your host is a guest of the Valiant Lady, the subject of our book the guest of the Griffiths Collar Company. Clyde finishes his tour of the factory and then takes his own tour of the fine residential neighborhoods of Lycurgus. Support  Obscure!...