Rephonic
Artwork for Obscure

Obscure with Michael Ian Black

Misfit Toys
American Tragedy
An American Tragedy
Clyde Griffiths
Theodore Dreiser
Hortense Briggs
Las Vegas
Christmas
Lycurgus
Wuthering Heights
Savannah
A Little Life
Great Gatsby
Capitalism
New York City
Youth
Kansas City
Taco Bell
Social Dynamics
Gender Roles
Poker

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... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes323Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksComedyArts

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Artwork for Obscure

Latest Episodes

While Clyde awaits his fate, Michael is taking a little time off. But we'll resume the book in the new year. Happy Holidays!

See Privacy Policy at art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-i... more

While Skankfest doesn't sound like the sort of thing your host would enjoy, and yet he did! Your host recounts a trip to New Orleans in which he eats a slice of humble pie discussing the various bro comics he encountered during his trip. Meanwhile, o... more

Your humble host begins this episode kvetching about various First World problems, which include: a damaged washer/dryer, a bed frame imbroglio, and assorted other supply chain/technician fiascoes. Yes, it's an elite episode of Obscure today as we vi... more

Let's contemplate for a moment, shall we, the lack of social structure in poor Clyde Griffith's life. No immediate family to protect him in Lycurgus (though he has, of course, blood relative), no social structure other than the one into which he was ... more

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Recent Guests

Scott Adams
Creator of Dilbert, right-wing commentator
Independent content creator
Episode: S4 Episode 48 - Resisting Facts, Revering Illusion
Jen Kirkman
Comedian and podcast host of No Fun
No Fun Podcast
Episode: S4 Episode 19 - Getting Lucky
Doug Benson
Comedian and podcast host
Doug Loves Movies
Episode: S4 Episode 19 - Getting Lucky
Paul Gilmartin
Host of Mental Illness Happy Hour
Mental Illness Happy Hour
Episode: S4 Episode 19 - Getting Lucky

Host

Michael Ian Black
Comedian and host; known for weaving humor into literary discussions, often blending personal stories with authorial insights while reading classic literature.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 2.1k ratings
  • It’s like MST3K for books!

    The wit and wisdom shown by Michael are wonderful. I’ve listened since the beginning, and it’s been a joy of a journey. I also appreciate when Michael speaks out about contemporary issues; I know some other folk may not like his point of view, but we need people who are passionate enough to speak up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    whitetie
    United States20 days ago
  • Brilliant

    Tuesdays are the best thanks to MIB and his stream of comments and observations. Cannot, will not, miss an episode. I rarely laugh out loud listening to other podcasts but sure, one or two boyfriends have turned out to be arsonists!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mollygraymollygray
    United Statesa month ago
  • Fun to spend time listening to Michael Ian Black!

    Just wondering if you knew that An American Tragedy is based on a true crime story -

    I looked it up on Wikipedia and discovered that it was a fairly well known crime! Since I don’t remember MIB mentioning that it was based on a true crime, I figured that he probably didn’t know.

    I wonder how that makes your impressions of the story change.

    Love hearing your comments and reflections about your life as well as about the books you read to me. 😃

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vgdsvhrbkl
    United States2 months ago
  • Not just because it’s Taco Tuesday…

    Tuesdays have become my favorite day of the week! If MIB had been my HS English teacher, my life might’ve gone in a completely different direction.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Vespalib
    United States2 months ago
  • A must

    I need every book read to me by Micheal Ian Black …

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Corrina Raquel
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The blend of personal anecdotes and literary exploration resonates well with the audience.
Some critiques focus on the pacing and emphasis on personal stories over literary depth.
Many find the commentary engaging and a refreshing take on traditional book discussions.
Listeners appreciate the humorous and insightful approach to classic literature.
There's a strong appreciation for the light-hearted style, even when addressing serious themes.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S4 Episode 48 - Resisting Facts, Revering Illusion
Q: What did Scott Adams tweet about political conversations?
Scott Adams claimed that it's impossible to have a political conversation with someone who believes news is real.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Obscure

What is Obscure about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content centers around a comedic exploration of classic literature, as a comedian reads and comments on significant works while incorporating humor and personal anecdotes. Each season focuses on a different literary piece, allowing for a blend of insightful commentary and engaging storytelling. The host often invites guests and engages listeners through discussions about the books' themes, characters, and their connections to contemporary life, creating an entertaining narrative experience that also provides a unique perspective on well-known texts.

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How many listeners does Obscure get?

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What are the audience demographics for Obscure?

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How many subscribers and views does Obscure have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Obscure has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Obscure?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Obscure:

1. Have I Got News For Your Ears
2. Judge John Hodgman
3. the memory palace
4. Bonanas for Bonanza
5. Stay F. Homekins: with Janie Haddad Tompkins & Paul F. Tompkins

How many episodes of Obscure are there?

Obscure launched 8 years ago and published 323 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Obscure?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Obscure?

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What guests have appeared on Obscure?

Recent guests on Obscure include:

1. Scott Adams
2. Jen Kirkman
3. Doug Benson
4. Paul Gilmartin

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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