Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Christian Jacobs of The Aquabats

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by Christian Jacobs, aka MC Bat Commander. He's the frontman for the SoCal band The Aquabats. The band got their start in the ska scene i...

Holly Hunter

16 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Holly Hunter's had unforgettable roles in some of the best movies of the last 30 years. She's been nominated for several Academy Awards for her roles ...

Justin and Dr. Sydnee McElroy of the Sawbones podcast

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Buckle up folks, it's about to get weird and maybe even a little bit icky! Dr. Sydnee McElroy and Justin McElroy are here to share all the weird and f...

Actor Steven Yeun: Walking Dead, Burning and more

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Actor Steven Yeun played fan-favorite Glenn Rhee for 6 years on AMC's wildly popular series The Walking Dead. He's also appeared in critically-acclaim...

'All Creatures Great And Small' showrunner Ben Vanstone

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

All Creatures Great and Small tells the story of a Scottish veterinarian who moves out to the English countryside. It started as a book series written...

Ted Danson

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From his role as the lovable Sam Malone on the classic sitcom Cheers to his role as the goofy demon Michael on The Good Place, Ted Danson has made an ...

John Wilson of "How to with John Wilson"

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

John Wilson created the series "How To with John Wilson," one of our favorite new shows, a totally unique look at New York City, social anxiety, the p...

Fran Lebowitz

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fran Lebowitz has lived in New York City pretty much her entire life. Her written work often provided American social commentary through her unique le...

Natalie Palamides, creator and star of "Nate: A One Man Show"

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Natalie Palamides joins Bullseye this week to talk with guest host Carrie Poppy! Natalie and Carrie talk about Natalie's new Netflix special ...

Isiah Whitlock Jr.

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. He played Clay Davis in the iconic television series The Wire. He's also appeared in some of our f...

Robert Glasper, Grammy-winning R&B artist

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Glasper is a Grammy award-winning pianist, producer and songwriter. He's worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop from Kanye West to Co...

Freddie Gibbs, Grammy nominated rapper

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're revisiting our 2019 conversation with rapper Freddie Gibbs. Freddie joined us to talk about his childhood growing up in Gary, Indiana,...

Michael Ian Black

08 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by comedian and actor Michael Ian Black on an all-new Bullseye! He's a founding member of the comedy groups The State and Stella as well ...

Glynn Turman: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, marrying Aretha Franklin and more

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We're back with our first new episode of the year! It's already one of our favorites in recent memory. Actor Glynn Turman talks with us about his extr...

End of Year 2020 Comedy Special

29 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's the most hilarious time of the year again! That's right, we're back for another End of Year Comedy special. This holiday season the staff at MaxF...

Why Bjork's "Post" is one of the greatest albums of all time

25 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Canonball" is a segment on Bullseye that gives us a chance to take a closer look at albums that should be considered classics, to find out what makes...

Dick Van Dyke

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Dick Van Dyke has been entertaining the public for over 70 years. He's a legend of stage and screen – The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Poppins, Bye Bye ...

Bullseye's 2020 Holiday Spectacular!

15 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's here! Bullseye's Holiday Spectacular has finally arrived and it's a jam packed episode! This year features interviews with guests like musician a...

Cartoonist and Author Adrian Tomine

11 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Adrian Tomine is a cartoonist. Along with graphic novels like Killing and Drying and Shortcomings, he created the series Optic Nerve, which began publ...

Roman Mars of 99% Invisible

08 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Roman Mars hosts the radio show and podcast 99% Invisible. It's a show about the little known stories behind everyday design and architecture. Prefabr...

Phil Elverum of The Microphones, Mount Eerie

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're revisiting our 2017 conversation with musician Phil Elverum. Phil is a singer-songwriter best known for the music he records as the ba...

Ani DiFranco

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco has been making music since she was a teenager. For decades now, she's recorded and released her music on her own label...

Carrie Coon on 'The Leftovers,' 'Fargo' and 'The Nest'

27 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Carrie Coon is an actor best known for her roles on TV. You've seen her as Nora on HBO's The Leftovers. No one was as fearless and bold as Nora. She w...

David Cross

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Actor and comedian David Cross is our guest! While you may know him best for his stand-up comedy and roles on shows like Arrested Development and Mr. ...

David Letterman

17 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, our guest is David Letterman. The one and only. He and Jesse talk about the Late Show, about his triumphs and failures, and latest TV show:...

A$AP Ferg

13 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by rapper A$AP Ferg of the A$AP Mob. Born Darold Durard Brown Ferguson Jr., he grew up in Harlem in an area dubbed "Hungry Ham." His musi...

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

10 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Halford is a legend in the world of metal music. He is the lead vocalist of heavy metal group Judas Priest. He recently released an autobiography ...

Against Me's Laura Jane Grace on her new album, Stay Alive

06 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Musician Laura Jane Grace joins Bullseye this week! She talks with Max Fun's Jordan, Jesse, GO! co-host, Jordan Morris about her new album, Stay Alive...

Cristin Milioti On 'Palm Springs,' 'How I Met Your Mother,' '30 Rock' And More

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

These days it might seem like we're in a bit of a time-loop. Days feel like months. Months feel like an eternity. That's probably what makes Hulu's Pa...

Boo! It's our Bullseye Halloween Special! Elvira Mistress, Andy Daly And More!

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's a very special Halloween Spooktacular edition of Bullseye! We revisit our 2017 conversation with Cassandra Peterson, the woman behind Elvira, Mis...

Electronic musician, Tom Fec of Tobacco and Black Moth Super Rainbow

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week we are revisiting our conversation with musician Tom Fec, better known by his stage name, Tobacco. His latest album, Hot Wet & Sassy comes o...

Padma Lakshmi: spices, Top Chef, and Taste the Nation

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Padma Lakshmi is a model, actress and the host of Top Chef on Bravo. She's the person telling everyone to pack their knives and go home. Her latest te...

Comedian Kyle Kinane

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by Kyle Kinane who chats with Jesse about his latest comedy special Trampoline in a Ditch. It was recorded in 2019. His voice is probably...

Actor Richard Jenkins on 'Kajillionaire' and 'The Last Shift'

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Actor Richard Jenkins joins guest host Jordan Morris on Bullseye this week. Among his many roles, Richard is perhaps best known for his supporting ac...

Author Hari Kunzru on his latest book, 'Red Pill'

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hari Kunzru is a novelist and journalist. He is the author of several novels including: My Revolutions, Gods Without Men, and White Tears. His latest ...

Comedian Eddie Pepitone

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Veteran comedian Eddie Pepitone loves turning our expectations on their head. He's a working man's comedian with a set that perfectly melds the impass...

Happy 100th birthday, Roger Angell

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Writer Roger Angell is our guest his week. Roger is best known for his writing and editing for The New Yorker and most notably wrote about his love of...

Catherine O'Hara, star of Schitt's Creek

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine O'Hara is a comedy legend. Her work embodies a particularly special brand of comic absurdity. She helped launch SCTV alongside other burgeon...

Noah Hawley, creator of TV's 'Fargo'

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Guest host Julie Klausner is joined by Noah Hawley. Noah's the creator and showrunner behind the hit television series Fargo. Season 4 of the series k...

Musician Frank Turner

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Frank Turner talks with guest host Jordan Morris about his new album, a split LP with punk legends NOFX. They'll also talk about the communal experien...

Bonus: Simon Rich reads from 'Hits & Misses'

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Rich is a novelist and screenwriter who has worked on Saturday Night Live. He created and wrote for the show Man Seeking Woman and Miracle Worke...

Pavement's Stephen Malkmus

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they ...

Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle, PEN15 creators and stars

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of their second season we'll revisit our interview with PEN15's Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle. They are the stars and creators of the very funny ...

The Isley Brothers' Ernie Isley

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're looking back on Jesse's 2015 interview with musician Ernie Isley of legendary The Isley Brothers. Ernie talks to Jesse about the evolving sound ...

Bootsy Collins, Funk Legend

08 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

First up this week, Jesse's 2011 interview with funk bass legend Bootsy Collins. A bassist by happenstance, in his teen years Bootsy was discovered an...

Author Jeff VanderMeer

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, guest host Jordan Morris talks to Jeff VanderMeer about what inspires his writing.The NY Times Best-Selling author has a new book out that ...

Alex Winter on reviving "Bill & Ted" and returning to acting

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In case you haven't heard: Bill and Ted are back! And today we're joined by Alex Winter. Alex talks with Carrie Poppy about his new movie Bill & Ted F...

Why "Weird Al Yankovic in 3-D" is one of the greatest albums of all time.

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Cannonball" is a segment on Bullseye that gives us a chance to take a closer look at albums that should be considered classics, to find out what make...

Kyle MacLachlan

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

After college, actor Kyle MacLachlan landed a part in a movie. It just so happened to be the lead in the David Lynch film Dune! Not bad for his very ...

The Life and Work of Ruth Asawa

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist Marilyn Chase talks with Jesse about her new book, Everything She Touched: The Life of Ruth Asawa, which celebrates the life and work of th...

Comedian Ramy Youssef On Emmy-nominated 'Ramy'

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When comedian and actor Ramy Youssef had the chance to make a TV show, he knew he wanted to write what he knew: his family, his childhood, his hometow...

Sports writer and "Stealing Home" author Eric Nusbaum

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Baseball week at Bullseye continues with a conversation with sports writer and author Eric Nusbaum. His new book "Stealing Home: Los Angeles, the Dodg...

Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro League Baseball Museum

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're talking baseball! Jesse talks with Bob Kendrick, the President of the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City. He's here to talk ...

Remembering Carl Reiner

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we're looking back on the life of the great Carl Reiner. He died earlier this Summer. Carl's career in comedy spanned seven decades. He got his...

'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino

04 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're re-listening to Jesse's interview with the great Amy Sherman Palladino. She's the creator of the hit television show "The Gilmore Gir...

Julia Sweeney on "SNL," "Work in Progress," "Shrill"

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Maximum Fun's Carrie Poppy (Oh No, Ross and Carrie!) interviews comic actor and writer Julia Sweeney! You probably saw Julia's work on Saturday Night ...

Director Kelly Reichardt on her new film, First Cow

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today's guest is a revered film director: Kelly Reichardt! Kelly's new film, First Cow, is the story of a loner cook who befriends a Chinese immigrant...

Katori Hall, playwright and creator of "P-Valley"

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

FANTI podcast hosts Jarrett Hill and Tre'vell Anderson are taking over Bullseye this week! Next up, Tre'vell's interview with Katori Hall. She's an aw...

Norm Lewis on "Da 5 Bloods," Broadway and more!

21 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

FANTI Podcast hosts Jarrett Hill and Tre'vell Anderson are taking over Bullseye this week! First up, we have Jarrett's interview with Norm Lewis. The ...

Sarah Snook on playing Shiv in HBO's "Succession"

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Odds are, you know actor Sarah Snook from her role on HBO's Succession – one of the most acclaimed TV dramas in the last decade. She plays Siobhan R...

Matt Berry on "What We Do in the Shadows," "Toast of London" and more

14 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Actor-comedian extraordinaire Matt Berry is our guest this week! Matt currently stars on the FX series What We Do in the Shadows, a show about a group...

Hardcore Punk band Trash Talk

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Trash Talk got their start playing DIY venues in Northern California more than a decade ago. They've since gone on to play their energetic, cutting ve...

Rose Byrne on "Irresistible," "Bridesmaids" and more

07 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Rose Bryne chooses interesting characters. She was nominated for both an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of "Ellen Parsons"— a ruthless la...

Mary Randolph Carter on "The Joy of Junk"

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're replaying our conversation with the great Mary Randolph Carter. "Carter," as she's known, is the best-selling author of several books on t...

Lin-Manuel Miranda on "Freestyle Love Supreme," "Hamilton" and more

30 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We'll revisit our conversation with the one and only Lin-Manuel Miranda! He's probably best known as the star and creator of the biggest musical in th...

Cartoonist & Graphic Novelist Gene Luen Yang

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Gene Luen Yang has written a lot of critically acclaimed graphic novels: American Born Chinese, Boxers & Saints, The Shadow Hero, and the graphic nove...

Rob McElhenney: Always Sunny, Mythic Quest, more!

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Guest host Jordan Morris chats with actor, director Rob McElhenney about his career. Rob's the creator and star of what will soon be the longest runni...

Indigo Girls

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's a collaboration that's lasted 35 years now and is still going strong. Amy Ray and Emily Saliers – Indigo Girls! They're the duo behind the song...

Giancarlo Esposito: Better Call Saul, Breaking Bad and Do The Right Thing

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by guest host Linda Holmes for a very special interview with Giancarlo Esposito. Giancarlo plays Gus Fring, the brilliant villain on Brea...

Daveed Diggs: Hamilton, Clipping, Blindspotting and more

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're taking a look back at our interview with multi-talented performer Daveed Diggs. He's an actor of stage and screen appearing in projec...

Doug Jones: The Craziest Day of My Career

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Craziest Day of My Entire Career is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite people about some truly unbelievable stor...

Elisabeth Moss

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You know Elisabeth Moss for her roles on Mad Men and The Handmaid's Tale. Or maybe you're a West Wing fan and waited with baited breath to see if Zoey...

Remembering Coyle and Sharpe, groundbreaking comedy duo

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're doing something a little different: looking back on the work of Jim Coyle and Mal Sharpe. Two brilliant comedians, decades ahead of t...

Tina Fey and Robert Carlock

19 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hey! It's Tina Fey and Robert Carlock - the legendary co-creating and writing team behind 30 Rock and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, two of the funniest T...

Adult Swim's 'Three Busy Debras'

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Maybe you're looking for a distraction. Maybe it's a TV show. One that can transport somewhere else. Perhaps it's a world where iguanas are mail carri...

Comedian Eugene Mirman

12 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by comedian Eugene Mirman! The comedian and writer has opened for comedy duo Flight of the Conchords and played Yvgeny Mirminsky on Adult...

Comedian Nikki Glaser

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're joined by the great Nikki Glaser! Nikki has been a star in the standup community for years, but she's probably best known for her per...

Christoph Waltz

05 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by the great Christoph Waltz! We'll talk about his breakout role in Inglourious Basterds – Quentin Tarantino's bonkers World War II act...

Remembering Bill Withers

28 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Withers died last month. He was 81. For Bullseye this week, we look back at our two interviews with the soul singer responsible for such classic...

Cartoonist Ben Katchor

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Cartoonist Ben Katchor is probably best known for his comic strip Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer, a comic about small businessman who roams th...

Ed Helms

21 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's Ed Helms, everyone! Helms got his start as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Then he was on the Office. Then, a little old movi...

ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by the always sharply-dressed Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top! He's been the lead guitarist and singer of the band for over fifty years with clas...

Alan Yang on Tigertail, Master of None and more

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Director and writer Alan Yang is probably best known for co-creatoring the hit Netflix series "Master of None" and his impressive comedy writing cre...

Producer and DJ Cut Chemist on the song that changed his life

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they ...

NBA All-Star Metta World Peace

07 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Missing basketball? Today, we're looking back on our conversation with NBA All-Star Metta World Peace! His larger than life personality often precedes...

Comedian Tom Papa

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Tom Papa wants you to focus on the small victories. The little triumphs in everyday life that add up to winning the war against cynicism. His...

Brooklyn Nine-Nine co-creator Dan Goor

31 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Maybe you're stuck at home, like the rest us. Maybe you're looking for something to binge, like the rest of us. May we suggest Brooklyn Nine-Nine? You...

Boots Riley: The Coup, Sorry to Bother You, and more

24 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We revisit our conversation with the writer-director and rapper Boots Riley. He's a founding member of the legendary hip hop group The Coup. The band'...

David Simon

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

TV writer and producer David Simon is our guest this week. Simon is the force behind some of television's most compelling and critically acclaimed ser...

Jason Segel

17 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Segel has had a lot of interesting roles over the years. He got his start on screen in his late teens on the short-lived cult tv show Freaks and...

Annette Bening

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're joined by the talented and captivating Annette Bening! She stars alongside Bill Nighy in the new film "Hope Gap." In it, she plays a woman deali...

Will Forte

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

At long last: Will Forte! The actor, writer, comedian joins us to talk about his new film, Extra Ordinary. In it, Will plays Christian Winter, a washe...

Jazz vocalist Gregory Porter

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We revisit our conversation with Gregory Porter. He's a Grammy winning jazz singer, the pride of Bakersfield California and, until his junior year of ...

Songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

03 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We revisit our magical conversation with Academy Award winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez. They're the husband and wife writi...

Cartoonist Lynda Barry, MacArthur 'Genius' Fellow

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lynda Barry is a legend of alternative comics. She's also one of the latest recipients of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship. She's written over a ...

Maria Bamford

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Maria Bamford is back! We are thrilled as always to welcome her for another conversation with Bullseye. The stand-up, writer and actor joins ...

Zach Woods, from 'Silicon Valley,' 'The Office,' 'Avenue 5' and more

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It's Zach Woods! You may know him best from NBC's The Office where he played the truly dreadful Gabe for three seasons. You've also seen his work as J...

Ben Schwartz on playing Sonic the Hedgehog, Jean-Ralphio, and more

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Parks and Recreation's Jean-Ralphio! Star Wars' BB-8! And, now the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog! We're joined by Ben Schwartz. Ben's big break came in ...

Huey Lewis on the song that changed his life

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite artists about the music that made them who they ...

Steve Buscemi

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Buscemi! The best ever. Steve joins us to talk about the latest season of his hit TBS show Miracle Workers, now in its second season. The anthol...