Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Did you know that folks that support Bullseye directly get access to a monthly bonus podcast? Put You On is the show where Jesse and a guest answer recommendation questions from our audience members on just about anything: movies, albums, ways to cook, books and more. We wanted to give you a little taste from our most recent episode with co-host of NPR and WHYY's Fresh Air – we're joined by Tonya Mosley! Check out this full episode and listen to all previous and upcoming episodes of Put You On by clicking here. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

This week, our guest is David Letterman. The one and only. The legend of late night television talks about the Late Show, about his triumphs and failures, and his TV show: My Next Guest Needs No Introduction on Netflix. A version of this interview originally aired in November of 2020.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

I Wish I Made That is a segment where we invite some of our favorite creative folks to dive deep into a piece of culture. We are joined by Eric Appel. He directed the biopic spoof Weird: The Al Yankovic Story from a few years ago. The thing he wished he had made? Eric dives deep into his love of Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and the time he got to work with Paul Reubens’ iconic character. Eric’s latest movie The Breadwinner is available to rent or purchase digitally now.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Filmmaker and writer Walter Thompson-Hernández joins us to talk about his new movie, If I Go Will They Miss Me. He shares why the movie has such little plot, and why Greek mythology plays such an important role in the film. He also talks about his time as a writer at the New York Times, some of his favorite LA-based films and more.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

We've got a favorite from the Bullseye archives: Elvis Costello. The legend is celebrating the 49th anniversary of his debut album My Aim is True. Recently, a five CD box set was released to commemorate the occasion. The release features 104 tracks, with over 50 never-before-heard recordings on it. When Elvis Costello joined us he talked about his father's career and love of music, what inspired him to write a memoir and who knows him by his legal name: Declan McManus. A version of this interview originally aired in October of 2015.  See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

We’re taking a moment to remember Dolly Parton who died on August 25, 2026. The trailblazing icon of country and western music joined us on Bullseye back in 2012. She’d just released a book called Dream More: Celebrate the Dreamer in You. Dolly talked with us about her impoverished childhood, how she had dealt with fame over the years, and some of the songs that could still make her cry.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Documentarian Alysa Nahmias has directed and produced films about PTSD, navigating the world with disabilities, the criminal justice system and other serious topics. Her latest film is called Cookie Queens follows the lives of four young girls as they sell Girl Scout cookies. It may seem like a departure from Alysa's previous work, but it's a story that's not just about cookies. Alysa joins us to talk about how she landed this subject to tell a story that's about the pressures of aging out of childhood, economic class and the harsh realities of capitalism. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

We’re talking with Mike Kinsella and Steve Holmes of the emo band American Football. The band just released their fourth full length album, simply titled: American Football (LP4). Mike and Steve join us to chat about their early years playing music together in high school, how they eventually came to cut a record in college, and reveal what happened to the house pictured on the cover of their debut album.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Geena Davis is a genuine legend in show business: Beetlejuice, Thelma and Louise, A League of Their Own and many more. For over two decades, The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media has gathered data on representation of not just women but of all marginalized groups and how they're being represented in entertainment media. She gets into her work with the institute, her acting career and how she almost became an Olympic archer. A version of this interview originally aired in May of 2016. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Rakim changed the rap game forever. He’s one half of the groundbreaking hip-hop duo, Eric B. and Rakim. And a legendary solo rapper in his own right. Rakim joined us on the show back in 2023. That year marked 50 years of hip-hop. He talked with us about how he met Eric B, shared stories about his late friend and fellow emcee, Biz Markie and much more. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

The character actor Dale Dickey has a career that spans nearly four decades and more than 150 roles. When she's on screen you know you're in for a treat. Dale's now in her mid-60's, and she's just been nominated for her first Emmy for her performance in Apple TV's Widow's Bay. She joins us on Bullseye to talk about the Emmy-nominated show. Plus, we get into the time she played Shrek... at various kids parties in the greater Los Angeles area. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Comedian, podcaster and actor Stavros Halkias joins us on the latest episode! He chats with us about starring in the new Anthony Bourdain biopic, Tony, when he discovered a passion for joke telling, his distinct look and much more!See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

I Wish I Made That is a segment where we invite some of our favorite creative folks to dive deep into a piece of culture. We are joined by writer Kurt Andersen. Andersen is a longtime writer and editor, as well as co-founder the magazine Spy and former host of the public radio show Studio 360. The thing he wished he had made? The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe. The book chronicled the counterculture movement of the '60s. It did not make Kurt more of a hippie than he already was, but it did make him want to be a writer. Kurt's latest novel The Breakup will be out August 18th, pre-order now.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Isaiah Rashad, our guest, dropped his third album this past Spring. The record is called It’s Been Awful, and doesn’t take long into listening to it to tell that despite the obstacles life has dealt him – Isaiah’s thriving and maybe making his best work yet? Isaiah joins us to talk about the new album, his favorite Prince song, parenthood and much more!See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Did you know that folks that support Bullseye directly get access to a bonus podcast? Put You On is the show where Jesse and a guest answer recommendation questions from our audience members on just about anything: books, movies, cooking! We've had people like Linda Holmes, Alonso Duralde and more. This month we were joined by Derek Guy – the famous Menswear Guy from social media. We're presenting a bit from that episode in the feed. You can listen to this full episode and see what we've been working on by clicking here. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Sean Clements is a writer for the big and small screen. His latest project is a feature film called The Dink. It's a movie about pickleball starring Mary Steenburgen and Jake Johnson. The movie was inspired by some of Sean's experiences with the sport – which he was very skeptical about at first as a pretty serious tennis player. We also get into his work as co-host of the comedy podcast Hollywood Handbook and what it's like to make celebrities uncomfortable on that show. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Grammy-winning bassist, producer and singer Meshell Ndegeocello is back on Bullseye! Earlier this year she produced a tribute album dedicated to the late blues guitarist BB King. She joined us to chat about the new record, her early days playing with go-go band Rare Essence, why she loves being a band leader as a bass player, and much more.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

John Early and Kate Berlant have been performing as a comedy duo for over a decade now – their brand of comedy is a little surreal, a little unhinged and always laugh-at-loud funny. John and Kate joined us on the program a few years ago.They talked with Jesse about their comedy special Would It Kill You to Laugh?, how they balance their creative partnership with their independent work and why Kate should have eaten a tuna melt before sitting down to her NPR interview. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Rapper Jeezy helped bring trap music into the mainstream in the early 2000s alongside other pioneering rappers like T.I. and Gucci Mane. These days, Jeezy has his very own Las Vegas residency running throughout July and August at Planet Hollywood. When he joined us back in 2023, he’d just released a memoir called Adversity for Sale: Ya Gotta Believe. He chatted with us about the book, the first time he found his love of music, and much more.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

David Wain is a comedy legend. Alongside Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, Ken Marino and many other heavy hitters, Wain co-founded The State, the massively influential comedy troupe responsible for Wet Hot American Summer. Wain returns to Bullseye to talk about his latest project: Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass. He talks about writing the screenplay which involved locking himself up with Marino – literally! Plus, how he got Jon Hamm to agree to make a cameo in the film. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Judy Chicago is an artist who works in sculpture, performance, needlework, and even fireworks. She has been making art for over 50 years and currently has an exhibition in conjunction with the Venice Biennale called 'The Materiality of Judy Chicago' She joins us to chat about the career-spanning exhibition, the art skills she gained from classes at an auto body school, and much more!See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Earlier this year, as a thank you to the many people who supported this show during the MaxFunDrive, the Bullseye team did something pretty silly and fun: we promised to crash an open mic. We showed up at the Lyric Hyperion Theater in Silverlake, Los Angeles. Jesse talked with Guy Branum about his incredible solo show: "Be Fruitful" and so much more.  If you'd like to support our show, it's easy: click here.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

We’re talking all things Taskmaster! The British game show in which comedians compete against each other through a series of odd, sometimes very funny, tasks. The show’s creator, Alex Horne, and his co-host, Greg Davies, join us to chat about some of their favorite past tasks, why most of the contestants are comedians, and how they come up with tasks for the show.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Jinkx Monsoon is a legend in the world of drag. For fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race she is often referred to as "Queen of All Queens" – she’s the only performer to win that competition show twice. Monsoon is set to make her debut on London's West End this August in London in Cole Escola’s Tony award-winning play Oh Mary. We discuss Jinkx’s latest gigs on the stage and how she found herself through drag performances. A version of this interview originally aired in September of 2025.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Barney Frank died earlier this year at the age of 86. He served in Congress for 32 years, representing Massachusetts’ 4th district. In December of 2015, Frank joined us at a live show in Boston to chat about a book he had written called Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage. He also talked with us about his early political career, why he felt his public service was incompatible with his private life, and more.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

The Death of Robin Hood is the latest film from writer and director Michael Sarnoski. The film alternates between brutal violence and meditative, almost serene thoughtfulness. Sarnoski joined us to talk about the themes in his latest film and what it was like to shoot on 35 mm on location in Ireland. He also gets into what he learned working with movie stars like Nicolas Cage and Hugh Jackman. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Craig Ferguson joins us to chat about his new documentary series, Craig Ferguson: American On Purpose. He talks to us about his love for America and his experience with becoming an American citizen. He also talks with us about his time hosting the Late Late Show and how he dealt with the stress of making new episodes every day.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Hello! His name is Andrew Rannells. And we would like to share this amazing interview. It's an interview about The Book of Mormon, a long long time ago… Rannells played Elder Price, the lead role in the original run of the smash hit musical. We get into his journey to the Broadway stage and some memorable scenes from his roles on television including HBO's Girls. A version of this interview originally aired in February of 2013.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Allison Janney has played many memorable roles, including CJ Cregg on The West Wing, Bonnie on the CBS sitcom Mom , and as Tonya Harding’s mother in I, Tonya. These days, you can catch her in the new movie Miss You, Love You, as well as the Netflix drama The Diplomat. When Allison Janney joined us back in 2014, she was starring on two TV shows – Showtime’s Masters of Sex and CBS’s Mom. She talked with us about her time on those shows, her early days of acting, and much more.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Katie Dippold created the new horror-comedy on Apple TV, Widow’s Bay. The show uses plenty of humor, and it nods to the horror greats, but it is not a spoof. It’s earnestly scary! She talks to Bullseye about maintaining the delicate balance of horror and comedy, writing movies that have been on the receiving-end of intense internet discourse, and what she learned writing for Parks and Recreation.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Ben Vereen is an actor, dancer and singer – a classic triple threat. His work in theatre is legendary: Sweet Charity, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin and countless others. These days you can catch him on The Gray House on Prime Video. Ben joins us to talk about the themes the show shares with his previous work on Roots, and what's changed about his craft after decades of iconic work.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Kneecap is an Irish hip-hop group comprised of three members: Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí. The band’s beats are pretty intense, and their lyrics are fierce and as political as they come. Kneecap joined us to talk about their new record Fenian, how they’ve been influenced by Irish rebel music, starring in a film about themselves, and more!See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Ann Wilson and her sister, Nancy, founded the rock band Heart. She’s also the subject of a new documentary: Ann Wilson – In My Voice. She joins Bullseye to talk about finding her voice while covering Led Zeppelin songs, navigating the masculine-centric world of 70s rock and roll, and maintaining a sibling relationship through a 50-year career.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives a chance for musicians and artists to tell us about the song that made them who they are today. This week, we talked to Joey Santiago, guitarist for the Pixies. Third Stone from the Sun by Jimi Hendrix helped him understand the guitar in a way he had never thought of before. Pixies will be heading on the road this summer. You can check out tour dates here.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Juvenile became a household name in 1998. That's when he dropped his breakthrough record, 400 Degreez, featuring Back "That Thang Up" among others. Earlier this year, he released Boiling Point – his first album in over a decade. He joins Bullseye to talk about touring with a live band, choosing to make party records, and auditioning for Cash Money Records from the backseat of a car.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Poppy Liu joins us to talk about all things I Love Boosters and the message she hopes audiences take away from the film. She also chats with us about her upbringing in Minnesota, how she got into comedy acting, her role on Hacks, and much more!See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

We’re joined by LaKeith Stanfield! He’s reunited with rapper and filmmaker Boots Riley for the new film I Love Bosters. LaKeith chats with us about the movie and what it’s been like working with Boots on another project. He also talks with us about how he got cast on Donald Glover’s Atlanta, how he got into making music, and more.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have been working together for 40 years, producing some of the biggest R&B records of all time. When they spoke to Bullseye in 2021, they had just released their first ever album as recording artists: Jam & Lewis, Volume 1. They talked about the album, the hits they contributed vocals to, and the jaw-dropping synthesizer work they do on the Janet Jackson single “Love Will Never Do.”See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

To say that Andy Serkis is good at so many different things is an understatement. He’s revolutionized the practice of motion capture, is a genius real-life actor, and does work behind the camera as a director. Serkis joined us to talk about his animated adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. He also shares his thoughts on the impact AI has had on technology in film, and much more.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Zach Galifianakis was on the road to become a huge blockbuster actor. At the height of his fame he kind of did the unexpected – he moved to a small rural town in Canada. He has kept working in showbiz, but lately has more important things to do like tend to his garden. Zach joins us to talk about his latest projects The Audacity and This is a Gardening Show. Plus, what it's like to be raising his kids in Canada and how his neighbors react to his fame. Spoiler: they could not care less and he likes it that way.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

In the mid '80s, an art collective known as the Guerilla Girls drew attention to issues of discrimination and representation in galleries and museums all over the world. They wore gorilla masks while doing it. Jesse talks to a founding member of the Guerrilla Girls, who goes by Kathe Kollwitz. She reflects on the origins of the group, anonymity in the art world, and what the group means now more than 40 years later. A version of this interview aired in 2019. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Ann-Margret is your classic triple threat: she can sing, dance, and act. And she just turned 85 years young! When she joined us on the show back in 2023, she had just released an album called Born To Be Wild. She invited us to her home to chat about the record, her iconic Hollywood career, and much more.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Tig Notaro is a standup comic, actor, podcast host. Last year, she produced a documentary called Come See Me in the Good Light. It was shot during what would be the last year of poet Andrea Gibson’s life, before they died in July of 2025 after a years-long battle with terminal ovarian cancer. Notaro talks to Bullseye about processing the death of Andrea Gibson in the middle of doing press for a film about them, and she reflects on the sheer chaos of simply living life, even though she doesn’t have to tour for work right now.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Kenan Thompson has been doing sketch comedy on TV for decades. He is the longest tenured cast member in Saturday Night Live history. Kenan recently co-wrote a book called Unfunny Bunny. He joins us to talk about why he wrote a children's book about collaboration and why after all these years he finds comfort in performing on SNL. We also get into some of his most iconic sketches including Black Jeopardy, What Up with That, and his time breaking into showbiz on All That as a teenager.  Right now is a great time to support Bullseye.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

The Good Place! Barry! Sunny Nights! D'Arcy Carden is our guest today. When D'Arcy joined us in 2022 she was starring in A League of Their Own and talked about reuniting with her comedy partner Abbi Jacobson on that show. She also got into being a nanny for Bill Hader and the time she co-starred in an episode of Comedy Bang! Bang! with Jesse. Yes, your host Jesse Thorn. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Bobby Moynihan first appeared on Saturday Night Live in 2008, and starred on the show for nearly a decade. He did a few impressions, but his strength was portraying offbeat characters. Drunk Uncle was always a fan favorite. When he joined us on Bullseye, he had just published his first children’s book, "Not All Sheep are Boring." He chatted with us about his kids book and life after SNL. A version of this interview originally aired in 2022.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Do you like football? Chuck Klosterman is a culture writer who really, really likes football. His new book is called Football. In it, he examines the cultural impact of the sport, as it relates to American life. He joins Bullseye to talk about the ups and downs of being a life-long football fan, and why the sport can matter to everyone, regardless of fan status.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Walton Goggins does it all. Master of comedy, action and drama – take his latest project Fallout. Goggins also gets into his love of horseback riding and growing up with a father who’s larger than life. Plus, how The Ghoul, one of the characters he portrays on Fallout became an accidental sex symbol. A version of this conversation originally ran in 2024.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Jason Segel starred in Freaks and Geeks, How I Met Your Mother, Knocked Up. But he's also an accomplished writer and creator. He wrote the classic romcom Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and revived The Muppets for a new generation.When Jesse talked to Segel in 2020, Jason had just created the weird and wonderful TV drama Dispatches from Elsewhere - a show he says put him "out of his comfort zone." He'll talk about that, and what makes the Dracula song in Forgetting Sarah Marshall... unforgettable. You can catch him on the Apple TV+ show Shrinking, where he stars opposite Harrison Ford.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Actor and comedian Cole Escola has written and starred in some of the funniest TV comedies: Difficult People, Hacks, and At Home with Amy Sedaris. Cole recently took their writing from the small screen to the stage with Oh, Mary!, a one act play that examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mary Todd Lincoln. Cole joins Bullseye to talk about Oh, Mary!, gender, and all things Mary Todd Lincoln. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy