Obscure with Michael Ian Black artwork

Obscure with Michael Ian Black

194 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 1.6K ratings

It's a book club, but funny!

Comedian Michael Ian Black is tackling a great work of literature: Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

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: Frankenstein. It's alive, and it's just a big buddy. Also, more accent work.

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


Comedy books alternative comedy audiobooks comedy literature
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Episodes

Episode 22 - Never Meet Your Heroes.

November 09, 2018 05:21 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MB

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 California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 21 - Jude the...Psycho?

November 02, 2018 04:35 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MB

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

Episode 21 - Jude the...Psycho?.

November 02, 2018 04:35 - 33 minutes - 30.7 MB

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-my-info.

Episode 20 - Jude the Stalker.

October 26, 2018 04:00 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MB

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-sell-my-info.

Episode 20 - Jude the Stalker

October 26, 2018 04:00 - 37 minutes - 34.7 MB

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

Episode 19 - Good Jude Hunting

October 19, 2018 05:28 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MB

Jude gets settled in Christminster, and decides to seek out his cousin Sue. This episode is sponsored by Heineken.

Episode 19 - Good Jude Hunting.

October 19, 2018 05:28 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MB

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-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 18 - Dreaming Tree.

October 05, 2018 04:00 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MB

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#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 18 - Dreaming Tree

October 05, 2018 04:00 - 34 minutes - 32 MB

Jude meditates on ancient philosophers, and Michael mediates on modern pop music. This episode is sponsored by Heineken.

Episode 17 - You Have Arrived at Your Destination.

September 28, 2018 04:00 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MB

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 17 - You Have Arrived at Your Destination

September 28, 2018 04:00 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MB

Jude arrives in Christminster, and Michael and comedian Maeve Higgins tell ghost stories.

Episode 16 - Recapping with Ruthie.

September 21, 2018 04:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MB

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 16 - Recapping with Ruthie

September 21, 2018 04:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MB

Michael sits down with his teen daughter to catch her up on Jude. This episode is sponsored by Heineken.

Episode 15 - Lonely Days.

September 14, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes - 39 MB

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 California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episode 15 - Lonely Days

September 14, 2018 04:00 - 42 minutes - 39.1 MB

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.

Episode 14 - Laying the Lard on Thick

September 07, 2018 04:00 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MB

Michael breaks out the Victorian dictionary for the first time, and Jude turns to the drink. This episode is sponsored by Heineken.

Episode 14 - Laying the Lard on Thick.

September 07, 2018 04:00 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MB

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.

August 31, 2018 04:00 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MB

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.

Episode 13 - JB Twisting the Knife

August 31, 2018 04:00 - 35 minutes - 32.1 MB

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.   This episode is sponsored by Leesa (www.leesa.com/OBSCURE).

Episode 12 - Secret and Lies.

August 24, 2018 04:00 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MB

Uh oh, Arabella reveals the truth, and Jude realizes a horrible mistake has been made.   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 12 - Secret and Lies

August 24, 2018 04:00 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MB

Uh oh, Arabella reveals the truth, and Jude realizes a horrible mistake has been made. This episode is sponsored by Leesa (www.leesa.com/OBSCURE).

Episode 11 - Putting the Bread in the Oven.

August 17, 2018 04:00 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MB

Sex advice columnist Dan Savage weighs in on Jude and Arabella’s relationship. Meanwhile, the pair get hot and heavy when Arabella sends her parents off to town for the afternoon.   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 11 - Putting the Bread in the Oven

August 17, 2018 04:00 - 46 minutes - 42.2 MB

Sex advice columnist Dan Savage weighs in on Jude and Arabella’s relationship. Meanwhile, the pair get hot and heavy when Arabella sends her parents off to town for the afternoon. This episode is sponsored by Leesa (www.leesa.com/OBSCURE).

Episode 10 - Love in the Time of Pig Guts.

August 10, 2018 04:00 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MB

As Jude and Arabella get closer to doing the deed, Michael and his wife, Martha, discuss how they met and fell in love (spoiler alert: there were no pigs involved). This episode is sponsored by Leesa (www.leesa.com/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/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://...

Episode 10 - Love in the Time of Pig Guts

August 10, 2018 04:00 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MB

As Jude and Arabella get closer to doing the deed, Michael and his wife, Martha, discuss how they met and fell in love (spoiler alert: there were no pigs involved). This episode is sponsored by Leesa (www.leesa.com/OBSCURE).

Episode 9 - Cruising

August 03, 2018 04:00 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MB

While on a Caribbean cruise, Michael notices how whether on a big boat in the ocean, or a small town in Victorian England, little has changed for those looking for love.

Episode 9 - Cruising.

August 03, 2018 04:00 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MB

While on a Caribbean cruise, Michael notices how whether on a big boat in the ocean, or a small town in Victorian England, little has changed for those looking for love.     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 8 - The Knob of His Stick.

July 27, 2018 04:00 - 29 minutes - 27.3 MB

Ahhh, Arabella! Jude has it bad. Will he throw away his dream for the first girl to catch his eye?   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 8 - The Knob of His Stick

July 27, 2018 04:00 - 29 minutes - 27.4 MB

Ahhh, Arabella! Jude has it bad. Will he throw away his dream for the first girl to catch his eye?

Episode 7 - Hoity-toity!

July 20, 2018 04:00 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MB

It’s the Victorian rom-com episode! Starring Jude, with special guest star David Cross. This episode is sponsored by Leesa (www.leesa.com/OBSCURE).

Episode 7 - Hoity-toity!.

July 20, 2018 04:00 - 37 minutes - 34.3 MB

It’s the Victorian rom-com episode! Starring Jude, with special guest star David Cross.     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 6 - Jude, Buck Up!

July 13, 2018 04:00 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MB

Jude struggles with achieving his goals, which leads Michael to discuss his own life challenges with bestie Michael Showalter. This episode is sponsored by Leesa (www.leesa.com/obscure)

Episode 6 - Jude, Buck Up!.

July 13, 2018 04:00 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MB

Jude struggles with achieving his goals, which leads Michael to discuss his own life challenges with bestie Michael Showalter.   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 5 - A Little Manliness

July 06, 2018 04:00 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MB

Michael compares the world of Jude the Obscure to River City, Iowa, and he asks writer Nell Scovell if there’s a pill he can take for his Female Problem.

Episode 5 - A Little Manliness.

July 06, 2018 04:00 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MB

Michael compares the world of Jude the Obscure to River City, Iowa, and he asks writer Nell Scovell if there’s a pill he can take for his Female Problem.   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 4 - Prayer and the Wicked Jew.

June 29, 2018 04:00 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MB

Friend Krista Tippett joins the conversation about what is hope and why it’s so important, not just to poor Jude, but all of us.   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 4 - Prayer and the Wicked Jew

June 29, 2018 04:00 - 41 minutes - 37.8 MB

Friend Krista Tippett joins the conversation about what is hope and why it’s so important, not just to poor Jude, but all of us.

Episode 3 - Jack-Jack

June 22, 2018 04:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MB

Michael realizes that Jude has much in common with his ugly rescue dog, Jack-Jack. This episode is sponsored by Leesa (www.leesa.com/OBSCURE).

Episode 3 - Jack-Jack.

June 22, 2018 04:00 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MB

Michael realizes that Jude has much in common with his ugly rescue dog, Jack-Jack.     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 2 - A Clapper to the Ass

June 15, 2018 04:00 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MB

It’s hard being stuck in a small town with dreams of bigger things. Sometimes it takes a clapper to the ass to get you on your way. This episode is sponsored by Audible (www.audible.com/OBSCURE or text OBSCURE to 500-500).

Episode 2 - A Clapper to the Ass.

June 15, 2018 04:00 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MB

It’s hard being stuck in a small town with dreams of bigger things. Sometimes it takes a clapper to the ass to get you on your way.   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 1 - To Begin

June 08, 2018 15:26 - 30 minutes - 28.4 MB

Michael explains why this is probably a terrible idea, as he begins reading "Jude The Obscure."

Episode 1 - To Begin.

June 08, 2018 15:26 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MB

Michael explains why this is probably a terrible idea, as he begins reading "Jude The 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/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Introducing Obscure

May 22, 2018 19:00 - 3 minutes - 3.51 MB

Subscribe now - Episode 1 of Obscure premieres June 8th. 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.