Synopsis
Comedian Michael Ian Black is tackling a great work of literature. Actually, Tackling might be too strong a word. More like light caressing plus a lot of complaining. Hes reading the Thomas Hardy classic, Jude the Obscure, out loud and commenting as he goes. Join Michael and friends like Jen Kirkman, Mike Birbiglia, Michael Showalter, and even his teenage daughter, as he discovers the world of Victorian England. Is it a terrible idea? Probably. But its a terrible idea he wants to do with you.
Episodes
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S3 Episode 53 - Tainted Love
17/01/2023 Duration: 29minIn 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.
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S3 Episode 52 - Happy New Year
10/01/2023 Duration: 30minIt'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.
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S3 Episode 51 - Two Devils at Play
03/01/2023 Duration: 32minWell, what's going to happen when you give a couple teenagers too much free time? TROUBLE, that's what! And when you've got a couple actual devils conspiring to create mischief, mischief is exactly what you're going to get. Mrs. Dean is laid up for three weeks, leaving young Cathy Jr. with plenty of nightly leisure time. And you can well imagine the result!!! 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.
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S3 Episode 50 - You Can't Alter What You've Done
20/12/2022 Duration: 31minPart II of Michael's Miami adventure unspools as his odyssey comes to a dispiriting conclusion. And, you'll be thrilled to learn, it's ALL HIS FAULT. Plus, Linton and Cathy Jr. tussle and make up, the weirdos. 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.
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S3 Episode 49 - A Miami Mystery
13/12/2022 Duration: 36minPart 1 of my MIAMI MYSTERY. Michael and his wife are about to embark on a long drive to Miami, Florida for (spooky voice) mysteeeerious reeeeeeasons. Over at The Heights, Miss Cathy meets Heathcliff who has some conciliatory words, the scamp. Will she be reunited with her erstwhile cousin Linton? Tune in and see! 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.
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S3 Episode 48 - Dickheads
06/12/2022 Duration: 31minSome historical analogies on today's episode of Obscure as Mrs. Dean confronts Cathy Jr. about her budding, star-crossed relationship with young Linton. Tears are shed, promises made and broken, trees examined. Yes, trees. Support the show on PatreonSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 47 - Doin' The Robot
29/11/2022 Duration: 32minLook, when you don't let the teens do some of the teen stuff, you're going to find yourself at your wit's ends with these teens. And that's what happening over there at Thrushcross Grange and Wuthering Heights. Some real Capulet/Montague vibes on today's episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 46 - Strongman
22/11/2022 Duration: 32minThere are people who blow into town with a heaping load of attitude and make life miserable for everybody else. Somehow these people end up running things a lot of the time. It's curious, perhaps, but the past and present certainly bare the truth of it out. Alas. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 45 - Buried Child
15/11/2022 Duration: 29minYoung Cathy, on the occasion of her 16th birthday, rambles in the moors for a look at some fowl. And, in doing so, encounters something foul indeed. Plus, POWER WASHING!!! More at 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.
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S3 Episode 44 - 90% of Everything
08/11/2022 Duration: 29minToday's episode starts with a little monologue about cargo because - if this world is going to hell - don't we want to watch it burn with a steaming cup of English Breakfast tea in hand? You bet we do. What better place to receive such goods than a port city like the sultry Savannah? Get more Obscure at https://patreon.com/michaelianblackSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 43 - Supine
01/11/2022 Duration: 33minWuthering Heights is BACK! This is a pun regarding the supine position from which your host narrates today's episode. Linton Heathcliff has arrived and is no sooner at Thrushcross Grange than the whiny little imp is shipped off to Wuthering Heights, which does not bode well. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 42 - Rude Bred Kin
25/10/2022 Duration: 31minWho's to say who is the more rude bred of the kin: the dog hanger Hareton or the poorly mannered Cathy Jr. with her shameful behavior upon learning of her kin? Neither does themself proud, shall we say. And then we've got another cousin trundling to Thrushcross Grange, the sad Edward Gorey character Linton II, pale and wan and probably a fan of Joy Division. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 41 - On the Road to Penistone Crag
18/10/2022 Duration: 38minYoung Miss Cathy is growing in leaps and bounds, a sweet lil' lass sheltered from the world by her dear papa. Well, what do you think happens? She gets it in her head to wonder about the space beyond the borders of Thrushcross Grange and nothing good can come from that! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 40 - Molto Bene! (Non sto bene)
11/10/2022 Duration: 33minSo the Italians decided to go old school this week and nature decided to go biblical down in Florida, and Michael's audio is all over the place on this scintillating episode of our favorite American novel.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 39 - An Elegant Term
04/10/2022 Duration: 32minEmily Bronte gives us a little joke in the midst of an action-packed episode of Obscure. Knives are out, fists are cuffed, feathers fly. All this plus even more canine comparisons! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 38 - Treasure is f'ing awesome
27/09/2022 Duration: 28minSome brief recounting of Michael's trip to Rome. Back on home soil, we pick up the reading of our American novel with Isabella telling her tale of woe and escape from the clutches of Heathcliff. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 37 - Buonasera
20/09/2022 Duration: 31minYour host is off to Roma, Catherine is dead, and Heathcliff is feeling all sorry for himself. Plus, Michael explains why the saying "there's no such thing as a free lunch" is demonstrably false.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 36 - Magic Time!
13/09/2022 Duration: 31minMichael's doing magic in Vegas, baby. Michael and Criss Angel, together at last. Also, Catherine dies. F her. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 35 - The Tell-Tale Hearts
06/09/2022 Duration: 28minTis the beating of two hearts at stake in today's episode. Catherine's wastrel heart still manages to pump out invective, while Heathcliff's hardened heart softens when confronted with his beloved. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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S3 Episode 34 - An Act of Civil Disobedience
30/08/2022 Duration: 31minA recounting of a sobering night in Edinburgh. And Catherine Linton (nee Earnshaw), continues to gaze at the moors. What the hell else does she do? Nothing. But, in this nothing, perhaps there is something. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.