Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

The Pointer Sisters & Bootsy Collins

11 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Two Bullseye classics this week! First up: Jesse's 2014 conversation with The Pointer Sisters, one of the biggest R&B groups ever, about their rise to...

Tim Gunn & Jonathan Coulton

05 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Tim Gunn of Project Runway and more talks fashion, surviving trauma and more. Even some hot couture takes on the American political landscape! Then, s...

Wallace Shawn, Nick Lowe & Jay Baruchel

28 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Joining us this week is actor Wallace Shawn, whose many film credits include roles in The Princess Bride, the Toy Story films, and My Dinner with Andr...

Ellie Kemper & Flying Lotus

21 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week, two of our favorite Bullseye guests. First up: Ellie Kemper, star of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. If you haven't seen it, Unbreakable Kimmy S...

Alfred Molina & Louie Anderson

14 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week, two Emmy nominated heavy hitters. First up: Alfred Molina. Talk about auspicious starts: Alfred Molina's first American film role was as th...

Ani DiFranco & Game of Thrones' Aidan Gillen

08 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week Jesse talks with the great singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco about her new album Binary, and how it's changed her writing process. What you mig...

Lily Tomlin & Rick Moranis

01 Aug 2017

Contributed by Lukas

[r] This week, two of Bullseye's greatest hits. First up: Rick Moranis. At one point, he was a movie star: Strange Brew, Ghostbusters, Spaceballs, Hon...

Dolly Parton & Steve Coogan

25 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

[r] This week, we've got two of Bullseye's greatest hits: First up, the one and only Dolly Parton! The legend of stage and song talks with Jesse about...

Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gordon & Terrace Martin

17 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

"The Big Sick" has been out in theaters for a while, and already it's getting a lot of buzz. Critics rated it 97% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Kumail Nan...

Bonus: Tavi Gevinson

14 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We've got a special bonus Bullseye for you this week! Tavi Gevinson, editor of Rookie Magazine, actress, podcast host and much more. Jesse interview T...

Vince Staples & The Trailer Park Boys

10 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

[r] This week, we're bringing you a couple of Jesse's favorite past interviews. First up: Vince Staples! The Long Beach rapper is a legend nowadays, w...

Beth Ditto & Ernest Dickerson

03 Jul 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Hey y'all! This week, we have Beth Ditto joining us. The former lead singer with Gossip, talks about growing up gay and punk rock in Searcy, Arkansas,...

A$AP Ferg & Dr. Katz

26 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

What an episode this week! We have New York's very own A$AP Ferg in the house. He and Jesse talk about his love for Madonna, how going to an arts high...

Katie Couric, Marc Maron & Audie Cornish

20 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we're giving you a sneak peek into The Turnaround, Jesse's new podcast. The Turnaround brings you interviews with some of the best intervie...

Big Boi & Catherine O'Hara

12 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Big Boi's sold more than 50 millions records as a solo artist and as half of Outkast, maybe the greatest hip hop group of all time. With their 199...

Kathryn Hahn & Jason Zinoman

06 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Jesse talks with Kathryn Hahn. She's starring in the new Amazon series I Love Dick, which also features Kevin Bacon and Griffin Dunne. The ...

Carol Kane

29 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Jesse sits down with actor Carol Kane. They talk about her career that spans 45 years and her newest project - "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,"...

Terry Crews & Amber Tamblyn

22 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

As a linebacker from Flint Michigan, Terry Crews was picked by the LA Rams in the 11th round of the 1991 NFL Draft. In 1996, he played his last season...

John Waters & Andy Kindler

15 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

We got John Waters in the studio (he wore a beautiful Commes de Garcon shirt, btw). John has a new book out, it's a transcript of a commencement speec...

Moshe Kasher, Felicia Day & Brother Ali

08 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Jesse talks with standup and author Moshe Kasher about his new TV show: Problematic. Like a lot of shows nowadays it's got a comedian takin...

Chris Gethard, George Saunders, & DJ Jazzy Jeff

01 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse talks about life and death with George Saunders, the brilliant author of the new novel Lincoln in the Bardo. But first, Chris Gethard comes by. ...

Werner Herzog & Mount Eerie's Phil Elverum

24 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week's Bullseye has a lot of heavy stuff. First up: Phil Elverum. Elverum's career dates back over 20 years, first as the Microphones and later M...

Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Armando Iannucci and Billy Bragg

17 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

[r] First things first: the one, the only Julia Louis-Dreyfus! After a run of 9 years on Seinfeld, one of the greatest TV comedies of all time, she's ...

Guy Branum

10 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Guy Branum, comic and beloved host of MaxFun's own Pop Rocket is on TV now! He's hosting the brand new TV series Talk Show the Game Show on TruTV. Guy...

Baseball Special with Tabitha Soren & Sean Doolittle

03 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Guess what! With opening day this week, Bullseye is bringing you its first ever Baseball special! Jesse talks with Oakland A's relief pitcher Sean Doo...

My Brother, My Brother and Me & Gina Prince-Bythewood

27 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week, NPR's Linda Holmes sits in for Jesse Thorn. We kick things off with Justin, Travis and Griffin McElroy. The three brothers have a brand new...

Paul Shaffer, Javaka Steptoe & Louis Theroux

20 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse talks with Paul Shaffer, David Letterman's former bandleader and the co-writer of the disco smash "It's Raining Men." They'll talk about his wor...

Sam Richardson & Syd of The Internet

14 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week, comic Wyatt Cenac sits in for Jesse Thorn, and it's a hell of a lineup: Sam Richardson of HBO's Veep stops by to talk about his new Comedy ...

Danny McBride & Miroslav Vitous

06 Mar 2017

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Jesse sits down for an in-depth conversation with Danny McBride. McBride co-created and stars in the hit HBO series Eastbound and Down and the new...

Desus & Mero, Walter Murch

28 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Guest host Ray Suarez talks with Desus Nice and The Kid Mero - the Twitter legends and hosts of the Bodega Boys podcast have a new show on Viceland. P...

Michael K Williams & Zach Galifianakis

20 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Zach Galifianakis talks about fame, unlikable characters and his FX series, Baskets, now in its second season. Michael K. Williams reminisces on h...

Pete Holmes & Mike Mills

14 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse talks with with Pete Holmes - the star of the new HBO show Crashing. Then, Mike Mills, writer and director of the Oscar nominated 20th Century W...

Cristela Alonzo & Stretch Armstrong

06 Feb 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse talks with Cristela Alonzo. She starred in the ABC show Cristela, and now she's got a great new stand up special on Netflix called Lower Classy....

One Day at a Time & Todd Mayfield

31 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Writers Gloria Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce talk about how the two teamed up with Norman Lear to make a brand new reboot of Lear's classic sitcom O...

Laurie Kilmartin and Throwing Shade

23 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Laurie Kilmartin is a standup, she also writes for Conan O'Brien. On her new special, 45 Jokes About My Dead Dad, she talks about the loss of her fath...

Corin Tucker & Tom Arnold

17 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Jesse sits down with guitarist and singer Corin Tucker to talk about Sleater-Kinney, anxiety dreams, and having to work a second job while on tour...

Bullseye's Judge John Hodgman Special

10 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we are delighted to bring you a special presentation of The Judge John Hodgman Podcast. Today, you'll hear two Judge John Hodgman cases. O...

Bill Withers & Joe Randazzo

03 Jan 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn sits down with legendary musician Bill Withers to talk about growing up in West Virginia, working in the music industry and why he wouldn'...

End of year best comedy special

26 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Wrap up 2016 with a much needed laugh - it's Bullseye's proudest annual tradition - the End of Year Best Comedy Special. You'll hear some of the year'...

Holiday Special with Jane Lynch and Andy Richter

19 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

On a brand new Bullseye Holiday special, Jesse talks with Andy Richter about how to love Christmas after getting burned by it. Plus, actress Jane Lync...

Pedro Almodovar and Sleigh Bells

12 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse talks to Pedro Almodóvar, the Spanish filmmaker about Julieta, his newest film. Plus, Alexis Krauss from the band Sleigh Bells on the song that...

John Cale & TJ and Dave

06 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse talks with John Cale, the musician and producer, about his time in the Velvet Underground, producing artists like the Stooges and Patti Smith, a...

Sarah Jessica Parker & Dwayne Kennedy

28 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse talks with Sarah Jessica Parker about her long, dynamic career, including her star roles in Sex and the City and the new HBO series Divorce. Plu...

Padma Lakshmi & Colin Quinn

21 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse talks to Colin Quinn about his time on Saturday Night Live and his new Netflix special, New York Story. Padma Lakshmi, host of Top Chef, model a...

Jemaine Clement & Jonathan Ames

15 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Jemaine Clement tells Jesse about growing up in New Zealand, being mixed race, and his time as a member of Flight of the Conchords, the hit H...

Willem Dafoe, Paul Schrader & David Crosby

08 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Actor Willem Dafoe and writer / director Paul Schrader tell Jesse about their new movie, the gritty and wild Dog Eat Dog. Then, Jesse talks with the l...

Patton Oswalt & Fresh Off The Boat

01 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Patton Oswalt tells Jesse about the years he spent almost completely indoors - pitching failed sketches in writers rooms, going to the movies...

Norman Lear & Riz Ahmed

24 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Norman Lear, the Godfather of American sitcom, tells Jesse why he decided to make All In The Family and how he drew stories from his own life and thos...

Armando Iannucci & Sharon Horgan

17 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Interviews with Veep creator Armando Iannucci and the writer behind Sarah Jessica Parker's new HBO show, Sharon Horgan. Plus stand-up comedy from Josi...

Cameron Esposito & Rhea Butcher, Jeff Garlin

10 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butler met at a comedy night in Chicago five years ago. Rhea was new to comedy and still had a day job. Cameron had been a...

Kaitlin Olson and Jeff Chang

03 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Kaitlin Olson plays Sweet Dee on the long-running sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Dee is the only female member of "The Gang", a bunch of de...

Danny Fields & Judith Light

26 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Danny Fields is a music manager and publicist who was instrumental in signing and promoting some of the biggest names in Punk Rock history. This week,...

Hasan Minhaj and Margaret Wappler

19 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Jesse sits down with Hasan Minhaj, comedian and Senior Correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. They discuss stand up comedy in o...

Spike Lee & High Maintenance

12 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse sits down with acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee. He tells us about how addiction is made explicit in his movie, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, how he rea...

Felicity Huffman & Anthony Michael Hall

05 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

While actor Felicity Huffman is probably best known for her tenure as Lynette Scavo in Desperate Housewives, she has played many beloved characters th...

Nick Kroll and John Mulaney & Airto Moreira

29 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

John Mulaney and Nick Kroll are well seasoned comedians who have made a name for themselves in many different forms of media. Jesse sits down with Mu...

Sarah Paulson & Shuggie Otis

22 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Actress Sarah Paulson is best known for playing numerous characters on American Horror Story and Marcia Clark on The People v. O.J Simpson. Sarah sits...

Lynda Barry & Pop Culture Happy Hour

15 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Lynda Barry is a self-identified "freak", a cartoonist, a writer, and for the last couple of years, she's also been a college professor teaching inter...

Nikki Glaser and Dave Holmes

09 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Nikki Glaser is a comedian and host of the Comedy Central series Not Safe with Nikki Glaser. Nikki sits down with Jesse to talk about developing her C...

Chuck Klosterman & W. Kamau Bell

01 Aug 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Chuck Klosterman has written countless articles for GQ, ESPN, The Washington Post, Esquire, The Guardian and more. His new book, But What if We're Wro...

Keegan-Michael Key & Tituss Burgess

26 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Keegan-Michael Key talks to Jesse Thorn about creating characters for his sketch show Key and Peele. Plus, Tituss Burgess from Unbreakable Kimmy S...

Danny McBride & Miroslav Vitous

19 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Danny McBride is comedic writer and actor who started his career starring in the cult classic comedy, The Foot Fist Way. Although the film went to Sun...

Aparna Nancherla & Clams Casino

12 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Though most people find it difficult to find anything funny about depression and anxiety, comedian Aparna Nancherla. has used her own struggles with m...

Mary Roach & William Bell

05 Jul 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Though she didn't earn a degree in the sciences, author Mary Roach has a knack for writing about them with insight and wit. Whether she's describing w...

Lisa Hanawalt & Wyatt Cenac

28 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn sits down with comic book author and the designer of Netflix's Bojack Horseman, Lisa Hanawalt. He also talks to comic Wyatt Cenac about h...

Rachel Bloom & Esperanza Spalding

21 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

This week Jesse interviews Rachel Bloom,the star and co-creator the CW show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Also, Esperanza Spalding tells us about the song tha...

John C. Reilly & Shamir

13 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Jesse Thorn talks with John C. Reilly about Reilly's open-hearted and blustery comic creation, Dr. Steve Brule. Reilly shares stories from the sum...

Rashida Jones, Ramiro Gomez & Lawrence Weschler

07 Jun 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to Rashida Jones, from Parks and Recreation, The Office and Angie Tribeca - which just returned for its second season. Later Lawrenc...

Joe Bataan & Ali Wong

30 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to comedian and Fresh Off the Boat writer Ali Wong, who recorded her new comedy special Baby Cobra, while seven and a half months pr...

DJ Quik

24 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Jesse Thorn talks to DJ Quik - one of the most prolific figures in West Coast hip hop. They'll talk about why a leaked record and a couple of guns...

Maria Bamford & Wanda Sykes

17 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Maria Bamford sits down with Jesse to talk about her own experiences as a patient of various Los Angeles mental health facilities, finding love and ma...

Margaret Cho & Whit Stillman

10 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Margaret Cho sits down with Jesse to talk about beginning her career during the 90s comedy boom in San Francisco, growing up in a Korean immigrant fam...

Geena Davis & Louis CK

02 May 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks with GeenaDavis about her acting career, The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media and how taking up archery changed her life. Pl...

Mike Judge & Sharon Horgan

26 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to Mike Judge, the comedy writer behind shows like Beavis and Butthead, Office Space, King of the Hill and Silicon Valley. Later he ...

Nick Hornby & Luis Guzmán

19 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Author and screenwriter Nick Hornby made his name with books like High Fidelity and About A Boy. His latest novel, Funny Girl is about a British actre...

Ellie Kemper & Glen Weldon

12 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to Ellie Kemper, star of Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and discusses Batman with Pop Culture Happy Hour's Glen Weldon. Plus, J...

Thao Nguyen & Lance Bangs

05 Apr 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to musician Thao Nguyen from the band Thao and the Get Down Stay Down and to the filmmaker Lance Bangs. Plus Jesse thinks it's time ...

Bob Odenkirk & Rickey Vincent

29 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Jesse Thorn talks to the comedian, writer, director and actor, Bob Odenkirk, plus the historian, author and DJ Rickey Vincent tells us why Parliam...

Dick Van Dyke

22 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to Dick Van Dyke, legendary star of stage and screen, memoirist and now bodybuilder. Plus pop culture critic and writer Margaret Wap...

Zach Galifianakis & Michael K. Williams

15 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to comedian and actor Zach Galifianakis about his new TV show Baskets, and to Michael K. Williams from Boardwalk Empire and The Wire...

Ricky Jay & Bruce Boyer

08 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to the magician, sleight-of-hand artist and historian Ricky Jay, about his new book Matthias Buchinger: The Greatest German Living. ...

Gillian Jacobs & Jonathan Gold

01 Mar 2016

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Jesse Thorn talks to Gillian Jacobs about her time starring in Community and to the restaurant critic, Jonathan Gold.Learn more about sponsor mess...

Jason Sudeikis, Paul F. Tompkins & Sarah Vowell

23 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to actor Jason Sudeikis and comedian Paul F Tompkins. Plus Sarah Vowell shares the piece of work she wishes she'd made and Jesse tal...

Dwayne Kennedy & Noel Fielding

16 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to comedians' comedian, Dwayne Kennedy and our producer Julia Smith sits down with acclaimed British comic Noel Fielding. Plus Jesse...

Todd Glass & Raffi

09 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Jesse Thorn talks to comedian Todd Glass, about his memoir The Todd Glass Situation and with the beloved children's performer, Raffi. Plus author ...

Ray Suarez & Dan Deacon

02 Feb 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to journalist, Ray Suarez and musician Dan Deacon, plus stand-up comedy from Phoebe Robinson. This episode was recorded in front of ...

Roger Angell & Aya Cash

26 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse talks to Aya Cash from the TV comedy show You're the Worst and to New Yorker writer and editor, Roger Angell.Learn more about sponsor message ch...

Joel Hodgson & Dr Robert Hicks

19 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse sits down with creator of Mystery Science Theatre 3000, Joel Hodgson and is experimented upon by director of Philadelphia's Mütter Museum, Dr R...

Kaitlin Olson & Jeff Chang

12 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Kaitlin Olson plays Sweet Dee on It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. She'll talk about morally broken comedy characters and whether it's a good idea to...

Neko Case & Herb Alpert

05 Jan 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse talks with singer-songwriter, Neko Case and to bandleader and record label founder, Herb Alpert.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcas...

Best Comedy of 2015 Special

29 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Our selection of the greatest comedy albums from the last year with stand-up from veterans, newcomers and even a set recorded live in the woods at Max...

Barney Frank & Mission of Burma

22 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Former congressman Barney Frank and punk band, Mission of Burma, plus comedy from Lamont Price. Recorded in front of a live audience at Oberon in Camb...

Rob Halford & Ronnie Spector

15 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Bullseye Holiday Special with Judas Priest's Rob Halford and Ronnie Spector from the Ronnettes.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoice...

David Cross, Tavi Gevinson & Pharoahe Monch

08 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Interviews with David Cross of Mr. Show and W/Bob & David and Tavi Gevinson of Rookie Magazine, plus comedy from Aparna Nancherla and music from Pharo...

John Cleese & Dee Dee Penny

01 Dec 2015

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Jesse Thorn talks with John Cleese of Monty Python and Dum Dum Girls founder Dee Dee Penny.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoice...

Live with William H. Macy, Brian Huskey & Matt Walsh

24 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse Thorn talks to William H Macy, Brian Huskey and Matt Walsh, plus comedy from Baron Vaughn and music from Chicano Batman. Recorded live at the Ma...

Allison Janney & Ishmael Butler

17 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

[r] Actor Allison Janney and musician Ishmael Butler of Digable Planets and Shabazz Palaces join Jesse Thorn to talk about their work. Plus director M...

Ethan Hawke & Michaela Watkins

10 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Jesse sits down with the actor and novelist Ethan Hawke to talk about playing a divorced dad on-screen, and being one in real life. Hawke's experience...

Margaret Atwood and Matt Braunger

03 Nov 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Comedian Matt Braunger sits down with Jesse Thorn to talk about class clowning as a kid, why it's important to try and fail and... his teenage rap car...

Elvis Costello & Elizabeth Banks

27 Oct 2015

Contributed by Lukas

Singer/songwriter Elvis Costello shares his musical influences, which include his father, an accomplished singer and performer. Plus Elizabeth Banks t...