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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, ...
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We're taking some time off for Thanksgiving. In the meantime enjoy the ENTIRE theme to Obscure, composed by the great Craig Wedren. You have always wanted to hear it in full, now is your chance. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Californ…
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S4 Episode 67 - Your Last "Obscure" Episode of Normalcy
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As your host anticipates the US election, he acknowledges the Harris/Walz campaign for their excellence. Of course, your host had no idea at the time of this recording what the results of the election were going to be and so careful listeners will probably sense some optimism, which will soon be punished. As for Clyde, who cares? Support Obscure! R…
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S4 Episode 66 - A pre-election episode
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As your host contemplates his upcoming dinner, one might detect a misbegotten lightness of being. Misbegotten because he does not what's about to happen in the US elections. NO SPOILERS, PLEASE!!! In Lycurgus, Clyde and Sondra are arm-in-arm as they make their way into the dinner portion of the upper-crust dinner party to which he has been invited.…
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Clyde is out there living it up while Roberta sits at home and cries. Well, we don't know that Roberta is home crying while Clyde is out among the Lycurgus jet set (despite the fact that jets have not yet been invented) because Dreiser doesn't even care enough about Roberta to check in with her on this, the moment of her greatest betrayal. Even so,…
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S4 Episode 64 - Will You Still Love Me...
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It's our 64th episode of Season 4, your host is sleepy, and it's the fault of Martha. Clyde is partying hearty, with the potential of betrayal! Lots of terrible behavior from everybody! Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privac…
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Well, Michael and his wife are in a tiff for reasons that are ENTIRELY HIS FAULT. Even so, that doesn't mean he is in the wrong! (He is in the wrong.) Plus, all kinds of angst regarding the weather, dinner, and the misery of his life. Meanwhile, a love triangle is developing there in Lycurgus, NY like a goddamned hurricane - one of which is brewing…
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Roberta and Clyde have given themselves over to their most lascivious desires. While Dreiser does not spell out the exact nature of these desires, it's safe to assume they are of the most disgusting, immoral, and degrading activities imaginable. Meanwhile, your humble host indulges in his own disgusting, immoral, and degrading activities up in the …
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S4 Episode 61 - Into the Obscurniverse
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It seems like sin is in the wind as Clyde and Roberta have commenced their intimacies. Both parties find themselves conflicted over this new turn of events. The kids are doing the nasty at night and brooding over it during the day. Is it paradise... or HELL?!? Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Inst…
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Danger abounds as Clyde and Roberta dance along a pinhead! How do they navigate this treacherous impasse at which they've found themselves? It's well-nigh impossible. Impossible! Desire is the streetcar upon which they find themselves riding, and you know what happens when Tennessee Williams writes a play about it. These two poor kids want each oth…
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S4 Episode 59 - Why Must We Endure This Agony?
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A true American tragedy occurred right before the taping of this episode of Obscure. How wilI your host continue in light of such awfulness of the dungarees variety? Clyde and Roberta are on the precipice of a break-up as they try to navigate the uncertain boundary waters of sexual adventuring? We know not! Yet they, like your humble host, endure. …
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A little too much guacamole on today's episode of "Obscure." Sometimes even delicious things can leave one feeling overstuffed: guacamole and, yes, even YOUNG LOVE! Clyde and Roberta are at a real crossroads. How are they possibly going to keep their trysting without a new location in which to tryst? Roberta is movin' out! Support Obscure! Read Mic…
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S4 Episode 57 - Big Boys and Little Guys
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Some terrific snack talk at the start of today's episode, in which your host expounds on one of the finest confections, the traditional ice cream sandwich. Plus, ice cream makes a cameo in the story itself, as Clyde and Roberta plot their lies and deception. They are as cold-hearted as the desserts they consume! Support Obscure! Read Michael's subs…
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S4 Episode 56 - 30% Sold Out, 70% Empty!
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The love between Clyde and Roberta continues to grow by leaps and bounds, but problems arise as the two lovebirds find themselves struggling to steal away a little time together. How to tryst!?! Such struggles, such raw emotion, such horniness! Plus, your humble host finds himself in a mediocre hotel in Columbus, OH for the purposes of performing a…
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S4 Episode 55 - Water, Water Everywhere
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As Tropical Storm Debby lashes the Jill Schwartz Memorial Library, Clyde and Roberta are drowning... in love! Plus, many references to the Rubicon, whirlpools, splashing around, and the dangers of getting in over your hand. A tryst is in the offing! It's a soaking wet episode of Obscure. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Tw…
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S4 Episode 54 - Running for the Border
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Clyde is desperately trying to escape the borders of his own social strictures as he connives to engage Roberta in conversation and possibly even... CANOODLING! Plus, your host finally reveals his current Taco Bell order! ALSO: He reveals his new job, but says this with all humility: please do not post this information because - to his surprise - i…
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Clyde and Roberta are about to do the deed (share a canoe). After months of distant lustery, the two have found themselves in the same place at the same time, out on the water of a public park. Plus, a memory of the comedian Kevin Meany, as well as a explanation of the military term "pink mist." This episode has it all! Support Obscure! Read Michae…
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S4 Episode 52 - In This Dead Summertime
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The heat is rising out there in Lycurgus. Nothing to do in the stultifying heat but rent a boat and head on out to Crum Lake and eat some goddamned watermelon, which is how your host has been spending about 40% of his time when not reading classic works of literature and commenting on them out loud. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow M…
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A mystery resolved! In last week's episode, we puzzled over the identity of a certain Mrs. Peyton. Friends, that mystery is solved in this tantalizing episode of Obscure. PLUS! Some light bowling commentary AND Clyde is dreaming of love. If you listen to one episode of ANY podcast this year, make it this one. Or not Support Obscure! Read Michael's …
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Huge episode today as we cross the proverbial Rubicon. There's no going back now, not after we reach the half century mark. As we cross our own point of no return, old Clyde Griffiths and his new flame, Roberta Alden, seem destined to cross their own. A tepid love blossoms apace! Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Fo…
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S4 Episode 49 - Zagnut? I hardly know her!
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Ok look, that's not a great title. The pun is nonsensical, but how else to convey that this is the first episode in which your host reviews the old-timey Zagnut bar. In the world of Clyde and Roberta Alden, we're further exploring the inner life of our young heroine and tracing the history that led her to Lycurgus. Support Obscure! Read Michael's s…
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S4 Episode 48 - Resisting Facts, Revering Illusion
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We learn a bit more about the new gal, Roberta Alden, in today's episode. Her past, her hometown, her family. Plus, some ruminating on the politics of the day and a little opinionating on the subject of love. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Michael on Twitter Follow Michael on Instagram See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privac…
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A working girl has caught Clyde's eye. Some new hire from 50 miles north of Lycurgus, a Miss Roberta Alden, delicate of hand and lip. What difficulties for a sensitive young man such as Clyde when he's already got three stocky foreigners attuned to his every movement. It's gettin' sexy up in here! Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follow Mic…
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S4 Episode 46 - Schenectady, Oshkosh, and Albuquerque
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There you have it, three funny city names. You don't need any other funny city names when you've got these. If you're worried that there aren't enough funny city names, there are. There are three. And these are they. Don't try to top them. You can't. Also, Clyde attends a fancy automobile and floral display. Fabulous! Support Obscure! Read Michael'…
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S4 Episode 45 - Liggett and Wigham, Wigham and Liggett
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Clyde has been bumped up to the 5th floor of the Griffiths Collar Factory to oversee collar stamping. There's collars to be stamped and Clyde is being given a shot at this important responsibility. I'm not going to lie - it's A LOT of collars. There's baskets and bundles and paperwork to be filled out, not to mention a bunch of GIRLS sitting around…
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Could Clyde possibly be a snob? Does he have it within him? Dreiser certainly seems to think so. On today's episode of Obscure, Clyde is cast from the fine home on Wycagy Avenue and contemplates a return to Chicago. But then, an unexpected turn of events raises Clyde in the estimation of his relations. Support Obscure! Read Michael's substack Follo…
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