191 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
Support this show and access bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack

Obscure with Michael Ian Black Misfit Toys

- Comedy
- 4.9 • 1.7K Ratings

- JAN 31, 2023
S3 Episode 55 - It's the guns, stupid

S3 Episode 55 - It's the guns, stupid

Today's episode explores the difference and distinction between fictionalized violence and the real sort. One of them is highly entertaining, the other not so much.
- 32 min
- JAN 24, 2023
S3 Episode 54 - At long last, "Wuthering Heights" the song

S3 Episode 54 - At long last, "Wuthering Heights" the song

https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack
- 32 min
- JAN 17, 2023
S3 Episode 53 - Tainted Love

S3 Episode 53 - Tainted Love

In which your narrator struggles to identify the connective themes that make this classic American novel a classic American novel and, sorry to say, comes up short.
- 29 min
- JAN 10, 2023
S3 Episode 52 - Happy New Year

S3 Episode 52 - Happy New Year

https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblack
- 30 min
- JAN 3, 2023
S3 Episode 51 - Two Devils at Play

S3 Episode 51 - Two Devils at Play

Mrs. Dean is laid up for three weeks, leaving young Cathy Jr. with plenty of nightly leisure time.
- 32 min
- DEC 20, 2022
S3 Episode 50 - You Can't Alter What You've Done

S3 Episode 50 - You Can't Alter What You've Done

Linton and Cathy Jr. tussle and make up, the weirdos.
- 31 min

4.9 out of 5

1.7K Ratings

How did Michael Ian Black get so smart?

We all know he’s a legitimate idiot (his words). I found out about this podcast only recently and was intrigued because I love Jude the Obscure. Yes, I had read it before this podcast!

Michael is a delightful reader and his insights and interpretations are very wise. [I cringed and got very nervous every time he predicted a murder/suicide.]

I enjoyed almost every aspect of this podcast: the tangents; the landline phone ringing; the sneezing. If I could, though, I would lower the rating by half a star for the number of ads. 4.5 stars.