Obscure with Michael Ian Black

Well, Clyde has promised 50 dollars to Hortense and Hortense has promised her whole self to Clyde and Clyde's mama needs 50 bucks for Hester also known as Esta. Everybody needs 50 bucks! Will he choose his sister or his penis? Frankly, Michael is distraught. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

As we barrel through the holiday season, your curmudgeonly host grouches about all things consumerist. It is, after all, the corrosive acid of consumerism eating up our hero Clyde Griffiths as he weighs the request by his beloved to acquire for her a little fur coat. If only she were the only one making financial demands upon him...  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Califor...

Clyde Griffiths doesn't seem to mind receiving a little abuse, and Hortense Briggs doesn't seem to mind dishing it out. Just a little Freudian nonsense to focus one's mind during a little pas de deux between boy and girl. The object of lust at the center of today's episode: an adorable fur coat.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...

It's all about sex for Clyde Griffiths as he contemplates the sensual life. Hortense Briggs is playing her little reindeer games with Clyde's heart with little regard for the pain she's causing him. Plus, your host is about to play some high-stakes Las Vegas poker. And, we learn the correct pronunciation of "gewgaw."  More high stakes activity: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Priv...

In addition to the international tragedy of wars breaking out across the globe, your host is experiencing his own American tragedy of insomnia and fatigue. Not to compare one tragedy to the other, but my American tragedy is worse. As for the book by the same title, Clyde has discovered his poor, knocked-up sister. They meet and converse and Clyde feels both resentful and conflicted regarding...

A strange incident at the Taco Bell leads your humble host to reflect on the importance of being aware of one's surroundings. Back in Kansas City, Clyde Griffiths, too, is studying his own surroundings, leading him to discover a secret in a seedy neighborhood. Lives are going off the rails on this episode of "Obscure." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice a...

As your humble, exhausted host tours New York City, where everything is up to date, Clyde Griffiths is at the center of the world, Kansas City, MO where he continues to entertain the enchanting Hortense. Will she one day favor Clyde above all others? It doesn't look promising. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-...

As another war breaks out in the Holy Land, your befuddled host offers his less-than-half-baked thoughts on the situation in Israel. Forget about the world's troubles for a few moments, will you not, as we follow Clyde's romantic misadventures.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Michael's in Chicago and Clyde's in heat. More at https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Celebrating young love today on Obscure. T-Swift has got herself a new beau. Dane Cook has a new child bride. And Clyde Griffiths is out there in KC with a bevy of young beauties on his arm. Plus there's some mystical talk as well as some good old-fashioned story-reading. Side note: He knows that Taylor Swift's new boyfriend isn't the quarterback.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/priv...

Clyde visits one of Kansas City's finest brothels with his fellow bell hops for a night of frivolity. What will this poor, penitent boy think of such doings? Plus, your host recounts a bad appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman  More bad appearances at https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art...

The bell hops are getting ready for their big night out at Frissell's and trade stories of life at the hotel. Plus we meet Davis Higby who says, "That's right." Drinks will be drunk and chops chopped!  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Well, we've got everything in this episode: digestive biscuits, high-stakes gambling, forbidden fruit, and a gang of rambunctious bellhops. Clyde Griffiths is getting ready to hit the town with his compatriots. They've got a lead on some good chops, fine drink, and a house of questionable repute. They boys are planning one of their monthly outings, and Clyde is getting his fun on.  See Privac...

Your erstwhile host is back in sultry Savannah. Over in KC, all the bellboys are hoppin' over there at the Green-Davidson, the city's finest hotel establishment. Clyde Griffiths continues learning the ropes and, now that he's been there a minute, the hotel's seedier side is being revealed to the boy for the first time.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy No...

Clyde Griffiths is off and running - almost literally - as he begins his new bellhop duties. What an exciting turn of events for that young lad! Meanwhile, a domestic crisis hits the Black household. Young people in disarray on this week's episode of Obscure.  Support the show! And get episodes early and ad-free: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/...

Clyde Griffiths is about to make his fortune. The bellhop job is his, and you won't believe the sums at play. Benefits and salaries totaling $48 dollars a week. Plus meals! Plus a handsome uniform! A fella could set himself up right with that kind of dough. Things are looking up indeed for old Clyde Griffiths. Good for him. As for your host, he's suffering from insomnia.  More at https://www....

Big doings there in KC, MO for Clyde Griffiths. They've gone about as fur as they can go. Clyde is casting his eyes towards greener pastures and stumbles upon the finest hotel in town.. twelve stories tall!!! What an exciting turn of events for a kid looking to break free.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-m...

An exciting week blooms for your host as UFOs, Rogers and Hammerstein, and poker all make an appearance. Sadly, things aren't so rosy for the Griffiths. Their daughter is out there doing God knows what with James Franco and Clyde wonders whether he, too, might escape.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-inf...

Some heavy-duty chemism in this week's episode as scandal erupts in the Griffiths household! Like the rest of us, poor Hester is just trying to find something to hold onto in this life and finds an unexpected ally... a MASHER!!! PLUS: your host is annoyed at the way Brits infantilize food items.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...

Michael talks too much about his neighborhood and the food he ate in the first part of this episode, so if you want to just go ahead and skip that, he wouldn't blame you. Plus, maybe he was inadvertently offensive. Who knows! But then we get into the book, and we get a peek into the sullen mind of Clyde Griffiths.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice...

Some old news and some new news: the old news is that your irascible host celebrated July 4th abroad by taking in a now newish film. Review ahead! Also, we get to know the Griffiths family a bit better, in particular the surly teenage son, Clyde. Spoiler: he continues to be surly.  Get early, ad-free access here! https://www.patreon.com/MICHAELIANBLACK See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/...

Welcome to Season 4 of Obscure. This season marks the beginning of our second American novel (our first if, for some reason, you do NOT consider  Wuthering Heights  an American book). After a restful few months in Rome, your host finds himself in bonny Londontown, excited to begin again. So, let us take the first of what promises to be many steps on what will be a fruitiful American jour...

Well, we did it. We read every page - nay, every word - of this classic American novel. Now a summary episode to figure out what the hell it is that we read. Would love to hear your opinions as Michael shares his own. Regardless, we will take a little break before Season 4. Enjoy your vacation, class.  https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and...

We're in Dublin for the final episode of the  reading  of Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff seems to be longing for death. In his case, though, it seems like Heathcliff may get his wish. As for Cathy and Hareton, they're on their way to Happy Town, as is your host, who took some edibles before beginning this recording.  https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack/ See Privacy Policy at http...

The penultimate episode of Wuthering Heights is, at last, upon us. Lest you think the book will end without fireworks, think again! Some currant shrubs ignite the fuse and ka-bam!  https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .