Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
Episodes
Rick Moranis and Booker T. Jones
16 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Rick Moranis was a movie star. Strange Brew, Ghostbusters, Spaceballs, Honey I Shrunk the Kids. And then he quit. We'll talk about why he doesn't regr...
Nathan Rabin and Benjamin Nugent, author of American Nerd
09 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
You'd be hard pressed to find two music groups with more divergent sounds than the jam band Phish and the horrorcore rap duo Insane Clown Posse. But t...
The Directors of "Doin' It In The Park" and Mary Roach
02 Jul 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Delve into the culture of pickup basketball this week, and find out why each of the hundreds of courts in New York City is a unique experience. Jesse ...
Lemmy and Jackson Publick
25 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
[r] Who is Lemmy? Well he's the singer for Motörhead and he's revered by metal fans around the globe. Jesse talked to Lemmy in person a couple of yea...
Paul Feig and Ophira Eisenberg
18 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Director Paul Feig talks about being a child magician, an actor and stand-up, and what finally drove him behind the camera to direct film and televisi...
Charlie Wilson from The Gap Band
11 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Charlie Wilson made hits in the 80s as the frontman of the Gap Band. In the 90s he was homeless on the streets of LA. Then, he turned it all around. J...
"Weird Al" Yankovic and Geoffrey Nunberg
04 Jun 2013
Contributed by Lukas
[r] "Weird Al" Yankovic is a master of parody music and one of the all-time bestselling accordionists. He and Jesse talk about Yankovic's multi-decade...
Christopher Guest & Dan Kennedy
28 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Christopher Guest talks about the origins of his signature style of parodic filmmaking. He'll also talk about why music pops up in his movies so much....
Nile Rodgers
21 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Nile Rodgers played guitar on the new Daft Punk single, but decades before that he launched a string of hits with the group Chic, including "Le Freak"...
Mel Brooks and The Source Family
14 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse talks to Mel Brooks about his unparalleled career — from writing for Sid Caesar on television in the 1950s to working with Gene Wilder on The ...
Huey Lewis and Phone Phreaking with Phil Lapsley
07 May 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse talks to Huey Lewis about his pub rock beginnings, his multi-platinum success with the album Sports, and how he wrote songs for movies like Back...
Simon Amstell and Brian K. Vaughan
30 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We revisit Jesse's interview with the delightful stand-up comic Simon Amstell. On TV, he prods at the powers that be and has even caused a few walk-of...
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Armando Iannucci and Billy Bragg
23 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
We're talking Veep this week with the HBO comedy's showrunner, Armando Iannucci, and its star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Iannucci talks about geeking out o...
Shane Carruth (Upstream Color) and Rodney Ascher (Room 237)
16 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse talks to the director Shane Carruth. His new movie Upstream Color has almost no dialogue, involves a kind of abstract science fiction premise, b...
Big Boi from OutKast and Catherine O'Hara
09 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Actress Catherine O'Hara talks about her start with the Second City's SCTV, blockbuster success with Beetlejuice and Home Alone, and her perfect encap...
Lily Tomlin, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Davy Rothbart
02 Apr 2013
Contributed by Lukas
There's no mistaking actress Lily Tomlin. Even when the part is small, she's never lost in the background. In fact she almost steals the show in the n...
NBC's Must See TV with Warren Littlefield, former NBC executive
26 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into the empire that Cheers built. Whether it was The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, Frasier, or Friends, Warren Littlefield oversaw all of it. NBC was a ...
Simon Rich and Bill Burr
19 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Simon Rich is an absolutely hilarious writer. He sits down with Jesse, and says that he doesn't write about the way love happens, he writes about the ...
Moshe Kasher and Lateef the Truthspeaker
12 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Zalben and Brian Heater offer up some of their all-time comics favorites. The comedian Moshe Kasher talks about his amazing memoir, rapper Lateef...
Aisha Tyler and Bilal
05 Mar 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Nathan Rabin and Marah Eakin from the AV Club talk about a couple of their all-time favorite albums from Warren Zevon and Fleetwood Mac, respectively....
Andrew Rannells, Jim Lehrer, Thao Nguyen
26 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The actor Andrew Rannells talks about growing up gay in Nebraska, his role in The Book of Mormon, and how to avoid uncomfortable moments when filming ...
Boots Riley, Roman Mars and Steve Agee – Recorded at SF Sketchfest!
19 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The Coup's Boots Riley talks about using lyrics to battle capitalism coporatism, police brutality and injustice. Roman Mars, host of 99% Invisible, tr...
Maria Bamford and George Saunders
12 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
The writer George Saunders talks about his early creative challenges, the slight constant pressure of capitalism, and Tenth of December, his new book ...
W. Kamau Bell, Mike Birbiglia and Eleni Mandell
05 Feb 2013
Contributed by Lukas
W. Kamau Bell, host of Totally Biased, calculates the gentrification sweet spot. Singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell's life is changed by a Tom Waits song...
Nick Kroll and Billy Eichner
29 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse talks to Billy Eichner, who quizzes bewildered New York pedestrians on the topics that are nearest and dearest to his heart: Britney Spears, Mer...
Jeff Bridges, Bernie Glassman and H. Jon Benjamin
22 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
It may not be the movie that won Jeff Bridges an Oscar, but The Big Lebowski is still one of the actor's favorites. Bridges joins Zen master Bernie Gl...
Benedict Cumberbatch, Errol Morris and Craig Finn
15 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady talks about the unpredictable and emotional music of the punk band The Replacements, and how one their songs changed his...
Aimee Mann & Seth Godin
08 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Aimee Mann explains her transition from an 80s pop star to a solo performer who writes mostly for her own tastes. Then, a conversation with Seth Godin...
The 2012 Comedy Special
01 Jan 2013
Contributed by Lukas
Bullseye features the best stuff from comedy specials and comedy albums released in 2012. Hear from Demetri Martin, John Mulaney, Maria Bamford, Jim G...
Bonus Episode! Dick Cavett and Dave Hill at MaxFunCon East
24 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
As a holiday gift, Bullseye features a conversation between two incomparable wits: Dick Cavett and Dave Hill. This event was taped live at MaxFunCon E...
Holiday Special with Jonathan Coulton, John Roderick & The Polyphonic Spree
18 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
It's the Bullseye 2012 Holiday Special! But don't worry, there will be no Rudolph, and no Jingle Bells ... not if Jonathan Coulton and John Roderick h...
Dolly Parton & Judd Apatow
11 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse interviews Dolly Parton about the sacrifices she made for her astounding career and how she feels about them now. Plus, Judd Apatow talks about...
Simon Amstell, Brian K Vaughn & Jordan Ranks America
04 Dec 2012
Contributed by Lukas
An interview with the delightful stand-up comic Simon Amstell. On TV, he prods at the powers-that-be and has even caused a few walk-offs. But despite ...
RJ Smith profiles James Brown, comedy from Cameron Esposito
27 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
James Brown wasn't just the Minister of the New New Heavy Super Funk and the Godfather of Soul. He was the hardest working man in show business, and a...
Tavi Gevinson, Retta & Michael Ian Black
20 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Tavi Gevinson talks about how weird it can get navigating the fashion world as a teenager. Then Retta – the comedian and actress you might have seen...
Writer Fran Lebowitz
13 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
A conversation with the New York cultural authority Fran Lebowitz. Find out why she was expelled from high school, why she waltzed into a publishing o...
Actor Stephen Tobolowsky
06 Nov 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Stephen Tobolowsky is a veteran character actor. Now he's an author, too, but his book isn't about Hollywood stuff. It's about normal stuff from his l...
Ice-T, Greta Gerwig and Aaron Freeman
30 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Ice-T talks to us about interviewing Snoop, Rakim, and a bunch of other famous rappers for his documentary on rap. Plus, did Ice REALLY write rhymes f...
Key & Peele, Pop Culture Quandaries with My Brother, My Brother and Me
23 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Keegan-Michael Key & Jordan Peele talk about their comedy beginnings on MADtv; impersonating everyone from presidents, to weather men, to gang members...
Vijay Iyer, Demetri Martin & Dave Hill
16 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jazz pianist and composer Vijay Iyer explores the relationship between music, the mind and the body. The comedian Dave Hill performs in front of his t...
Liam Lynch and Geoff Nunberg on the "A-word"
09 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The writer, director and musician Liam Lynch talks to us about bringing back his sock puppet duo Sifl and Olly and how he met not ONE, but TWO Beatles...
Syl Johnson, Gillian Flynn and Matt Berninger from The National
02 Oct 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse talks to Syl Johnson – the soul singer who has been sampled on countless hip-hop records — about turning down the record deal that ended up ...
Rob Delaney, Nellie McKay and Jordan Ranks America
25 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse talks to Rob Delaney, one of the funniest guys on Twitter with over a half a million followers. He might prefer the virtual world because he's s...
Wayne White, Antibalas, Brent Weinbach
18 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Wayne White is the subject of a new documentary directed by Neil Berkeley. If you ever wished you could live in Pee-Wee Herman's bizarre and amazing p...
R.A. Dickey, pitcher for the New York Mets
11 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Mets pitcher RA Dickey talks about fighting his way through 10 years as a marginal pro baseball player before giving himself over to the uncontrollabl...
W. Kamau Bell, Mike Birbiglia, Eleni Mandell
04 Sep 2012
Contributed by Lukas
W. Kamau Bell, host of Totally Biased, calculates the gentrification sweet spot. Singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell's life is changed by a Tom Waits song...
Kurt Andersen, Chris Fairbanks and Ari Graynor
28 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Guest host Jordan Morris sits down with Kurt Andersen to talk about creative procrastination, why a new generation is happily digging into its parents...
Black Dynamite, The Explorers Club and Rachel Dratch
21 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Black Dynamite's Michael Jai White and Carl Jones talk about their favorite blaxploitation films of the 70s. Actress Rachel Dratch walks into a bar, a...
Bob Newhart and the Directors of Mr. Rogers & Me
14 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse talks to Ben and Christopher Wagner about America's most beloved broadcaster — Mister Fred Rogers — and they all hold back tears. Plus, Jess...
Redd Kross and Matt Braunger
07 Aug 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jordan Morris sits in for Jesse and talks to the influential punk band Redd Kross about their own influences — from Deep Purple to Ziggy Stardust —...
Michael Ian Black & Tom Bissell, author of Magic Hours: Essays on Creators and Creation
31 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Ian Black talks about his memoir: "You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations". Plus, Black explains why...
RJ Smith profiles James Brown, comedy from Cameron Esposito
24 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
James Brown wasn't just the Minister of the New New Heavy Super Funk and the Godfather of Soul. He was the hardest working man in show business, and a...
Lisa Kudrow, Eric Andre and American Pickers' Danielle Colby
17 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Lisa Kudrow — the "dumb" one from Friends — talks about her career in brain science, and her current Showtime show Web Therapy. Plus, Eric Andre d...
Robert Glasper and Pendleton Ward
10 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Robert Glasper transforms the 90s grunge hit Smells Like Teen Spirit into something surprisingly beautiful. Jesse talks to Pendleton Ward about his an...
Mark Adams, Dave Hill, Jordan Ranks America
03 Jul 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Adams – a magazine editor who had never even slept in a tent as an adult– treks through the Andes tracing the journey of Hiram Bingham. And t...
Elvis Mitchell, of Montreal's Kevin Barnes and My Brother, My Brother and Me
26 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Elvis Mitchell on how he made a career writing about movies, and why he was arrested on the Canadian border with Cuban cigars and 15 thousand in cash....
Scott Aukerman, Mark Duplass, David Rees
19 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Duplass is involved in half a dozen projects. But he isn't worried about spreading himself too thin. Plus, Jesse talks to the writer and comic Sc...
Ice-T, Greta Gerwig and Aaron Freeman
12 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In his new movie, Ice-T interviews Snoop, Rakim, and a bunch of other famous rappers. Plus, Ice reveals whether he wrote raps for Mr. T in the 80s. Je...
Daniel Handler, The Sklar Brothers and Nico Muhly
05 Jun 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Handler delves into his memories of young love to pen the novel "Why We Broke Up" — the twist? He writes the girl's side of the story. The Sk...
Kurt Braunohler and Walter Mosley
29 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Kurt Braunohler explains his improvised anti-game show, where among other things, comedians are challenged to verbally shame puppies. The com...
R.A. Dickey, pitcher for the New York Mets
22 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey talks about fighting his way through 10 years as a marginal pro baseball player before giving himself over to the uncontrolla...
Benedict Cumberbatch, Morgan Webb, Craig Finn
15 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady talks about the unpredictable and emotional music of the punk band The Replacements, and how one their songs changed his...
Chris Gethard & Lawrence Weschler
08 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse interviews comedian Chris Gethard about booking P. Diddy at a tiny theater in New York. Lawrence Weschler talks about why CGI faces will never l...
Michael Ian Black and Tom Bissell
01 May 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Ian Black talks about his memoir: "You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations". Plus, Black explains why...
Tony Hale and Nicholas Stoller
24 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The actor Tony Hale talks about his early commercial work, his faith, and who to call when you need to learn a few new swear words ... FAST. Writer an...
Rachel Dratch and the creators of Eagleheart
17 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Comic actress Rachel Dratch walks into a bar, meets a guy and six months later she's pregnant. It's all in her new memoir. Plus, the creators of the c...
Jazz pianist Robert Glasper and animator Pendleton Ward
10 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
An interview with jazz pianist Robert Glasper, who transforms the 90s grunge hit Smells Like Teen Spirit into something surprisingly beautiful. Then P...
Bob Newhart and Benjamin and Christofer Wagner of "Mister Rogers and Me"
03 Apr 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse talks to Benjamin and Christofer Wagner about America's most beloved broadcaster --Mister Fred Rogers — and they all hold back tears. Plus, Je...
Moshe Kasher, Lateef the Truthspeaker, and the directors of Undefeated
27 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The comedian Moshe Kasher talks about his amazing new memoir, rapper Lateef the Truthspeaker reveals how jazz scat changed his life, and Jesse talks t...
Swamp Dogg, John Mulaney, Comic Book Picks and Kasper Hauser
20 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Unsung soul maverick Swamp Dogg reflects on his long and storied recording career, with hits ranging from R&B, to psychedelic to country. John Mulaney...
Baratunde Thurston, Stuff You Should Know, Mark Frauenfelder
13 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Author and comedian Baratunde Thurston talks about how to be black, whether it's in high school at Sidwell Friends, in college at Harvard, or while wo...
Jeffrey Tambor, Doug Jones, Andrew Noz and God on Noah
06 Mar 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Actor Jeffrey Tambor talks about his portrayal of Jesse's favorite television character — Hank Kingsley on The Larry Sanders Show. Then, an intervie...
Key & Peele, The AV Club and My Brother, My Brother and Me
28 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Keegan-Michael Key & Jordan Peele talk about their comedy beginnings on MADtv; impersonating everyone from presidents, to weather men, to gang members...
David Wain, The AV Club, and Jordan Ranks America
21 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
This week David Wain makes the successful leap from cultiest-of-cult comedy to the mainstream multiplex – and keeps things super funny. Correspondan...
Daniel Handler, The Sklar Brothers, Nico Muhly, Mark Frauenfelder
14 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Handler delves into his memories of young love to pen the novel "Why We Broke Up" — the twist? He writes the girl's side of the story. The Sk...
Michael Rapaport, Werner Herzog, AV Club Recommendations, Kasper Hauser News
07 Feb 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Actor Michael Rapaport profiles his favorite hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest, and ends up documenting their deep-rooted friendships and conflicts....
Tim and Eric, Roz Chast, Noz on Rap and God's Favorite Things
31 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Tim and Eric are known for the surreal and uncomfortable comedy in their sketch show Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. They also promoted Shrek 3...
Jenna Fischer, Jack Handey, Video Game Picks and Kasper Hauser
24 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jenna Fischer talks about her totally-made-up-sounding first acting gig in LA, auditioning for The Office, and what all the actors are doing on their ...
Aisha Tyler, David Hornsby, Jordan Ranks America, The AV Club
17 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Aisha Tyler funnels her childhood outsider-y experiences toward comedy and performance. She's on the animated FX show Archer. David Hornsby talks abou...
Mini Episode! Lawrence Weschler on The Museum of Jurassic Technolog
13 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
In a supplement to this week's interview, Lawrence Weschler talks with Jesse about The Museum of Jurassic Technology. Don't miss this!Learn more about...
Chris Gethard, Lawrence Weschler, Andrew Noz and More
10 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
Jesse interviews comedian Chris Gethard about booking P. Diddy at a tiny theater in New York. Lawrence Weschler talks about why CGI faces will never l...
Downton Abbey, Chris Lilley, Dan Deacon, AV Club Picks
03 Jan 2012
Contributed by Lukas
The first episode of Bullseye! Jesse interviews the cast of Downton Abbey, a costume drama on PBS Masterpiece that is NOT BORING AT ALL. He'll also ta...
2011 Comedy Special
22 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Once a year the small staff here at The Sound of Young America compiles the best comedy we've heard from the past year. Our selections may not be poi...
Ed Levine from Serious Eats
16 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Ed Levine is the founder and editor of the blog Serious Eats, a forum for sharing "food enthusiasm." He's written regularly about NY food and the icon...
Comedy: Rob Baedeker's CSA Box
14 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Our contributor Rob Baedeker's new kick is his organic farm, and he shares the letter from his CSA box with us. Rob is a member of the comedy sketch g...
Food Writer Jonathan Gold
12 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold talks to us about how he manages the day to day eating, the best pastrami sandwich, overcoming food f...
Carrie Fisher
05 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Carrie Fisher is perhaps best known as Princess Leia from the seminal Star Wars films, but she began her celebrity life as a baby — the daughter of ...
AV Club Picks: December 2011
01 Dec 2011
Contributed by Lukas
AV Club Editor Keith Phipps and Associate Editor Tasha Robinson join us to give their culture picks for December 2011.Learn more about sponsor message...
Nile Rodgers
28 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Nile Rodgers launched a string of hits with the group Chic, including "Le Freak" and "Good Times", and went on to become a songwriting and producing s...
Comedy: Jordan Ranks America, November 2011
21 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Our correspondent Jordan Morris pores over what's happening in America to let you know what's best in the US right now.Learn more about sponsor messag...
Patrick Warburton
09 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Patrick Warburton is a live and voice actor known for his roles on Seinfeld, NewsRadio and The Venture Brothers among others. He's currently starring...
Comedy: Rob Baedeker's Chemistry Lecture
03 Nov 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Rod Baedeker from Kasper Hauser drops by The Sound of Young America to share with us his ground-breaking lecture he gave at Cal Tech.Learn more about ...
Kate Beaton, Author of Hark! a Vagrant
31 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Beaton authors the webcomic Hark! a Vagrant. The comic strips mine history and literature for figures to be reimagined and skewered as petulant c...
Jeanne Darst, author of Fiction Ruined My Family
28 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Jeanne Darst is a writer and performer whose work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine and This American Life. She recently published her firs...
Comedy: Jordan Ranks America, October 2011
26 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Don't know where to turn, or who to believe? Try our correspondent Jordan Morris, who brings you the best of America every month.Learn more about spon...
Marc Maron
24 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian and comedy-inquisitor Marc Maron talks about turning it all around, doing standup and hosting his smash podcast (turned public radio show) WT...
Rin Tin Tin with Susan Orlean
17 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling nonfiction author and The New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean talks to us about the fascinating life of the dog and the character Rin Tin...
AV Club Picks: Fall TV
13 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guests from the AV Club are TV Editor Todd VanDerWerff and Assistant Editor Erik Adams. They drop by to discuss their TV picks for the Fall se...
Bootsy Collins
10 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The legendary funk bassist joins us to talk about creating the persona of Bootsy, playing music with two very different band leaders, James Brown and ...
John Roderick: The Song That Changed My Life
05 Oct 2011
Contributed by Lukas
The Long Winters' frontman, John Roderick, talks to us about the song that changed his life: ZZ Top's Gimme All Your Lovin'.Learn more about sponsor m...