Obscure With Michael Ian Black

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.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cathy Jr. is hard at work making amends with her stupid cousin Hareton. But don't worry, she doesn't mean anything by calling him so. Will Hareton forgive his cousin? Can two first cousins find their way together in this crazy world? Hard to say, but we all like happy endings, don't we? Well, don't we???https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your host arrives in Italy with one question. As for Heathcliff & Co., things are shaking up and shaking out as we zip towards the conclusion of Season 3. Some big changes at Wuthering Heights, all of them in this host's view, a little too convenient. https://www.patreon.com/homeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The New World gives way to the Old as your host gears up for his extended sojourn to Italia. Some advice: if you're feeling depressed/anxious, best thing to do is to totally upend your life. Chaos almost surely cures chaos. Right? Also, those jerks over at Wuthering Heights are still on their crap. https://www.patreon.com/homeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Well, another moody week on the moors. Your host finds himself essentially incapacitated by depression and those dickheads over at Wuthering Heights aren't much helping matters. https://www.patreon.com/homeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you were wondering if Zillah sucks - she does. More misdeeds, more corruption, and malevolence. Only Cathy Jr. retains her humanity in this morass. And maybe say your goodbyes to Linton while you still can, the schmuck. https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Everything's a bummer. Michael's a bummer. Here's the quote from which the title derives: "Depression is being colorblind and constantly told how colorful the world is.”https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re shooting down stuff faster than the aliens can send it up there. Michael briefly recaps the airborne events of the previous week and then, at long last, somebody dies in the great American novel, “Wuthering Heights”https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's an audiophile's dream episode! Marvel at the many moods! There's kidnapping and forced marriage, imprisonment, and bogs! BOGS!!!https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rebellion is on the docket as Cathy Jr. finds herself in quite the predicament over there at Wuthering Heights. There's kidnapping! Forced marriage! Fictionalized, theoretical domestic violence! It's positively savage!!! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey stupid, it's the guns. 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. PLUS: more American contretemps between Heathcliff and the rest of the gang. Support the show! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Your terrific host finally gets around to discussing the Kate Bush song of, coincidentally, the same name as the great American novel. Then, an uneventful chapter. Plus: your host crowns "Wuthering Heights" the "first contemporary BDSM novel." All in all, a terrific episode. Support the show! https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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. Is this an indictment of the book or your narrator? Hard to say. https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's our 52nd episode of Season 3 - a year's worth of episodes landing on the New Year. What an exciting coincidence! Hope everybody celebrated in the way they enjoy most. In Michael's case, that involves staying home and doing nothing. Over at the Heights, we're getting a better understanding of Cathy Jr. and her crappy cousin Linton's relationship. Suffice to say, they suck.https://www.patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.