Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture. Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney's, which called it "the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world."
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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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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:…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
We've got a sneak peek of something really special: A brand new series where Jesse and the Bullseye team give tailor-made recommendations to you. Yes, you! For our very first episode we're joined by Pop Culture Happy Hour's Linda Holmes! 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…
Riz Ahmed is back on Bullseye! He chats with us about his role in the new Hamlet film and his personal relationship with Shakespeare’s work. We also get into his early days as a battle rapper, if he plans to keep rapping as he gets older, 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…
Kristen Schaal is the best. Her voice is unmistakable. You definitely know her as Louise Belcher from Bob's Burgers , but she's also had unforgettable parts on 30 Rock , and more. More recently she's been taking her talent to the stage. Her new show is called The Legend of Crystal Shell . Kristen joins Bullseye to talk about the new show and some of its mature themes. We also get into her voice…
Join Jesse as he ventures out into the real world for a special bonus episode called Bullseye’s Gold ! For the inaugural journey, he’s talking to people at the Paper World Stationery Expo 2026 in Anaheim, California. 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
Griffin McElroy is the host of the podcasts My Brother, Mr Brother and Me , Wonderful and the actual-play podcast The Adventure Zone . Now, he is also the author of a new Choose Your Own Adventure book called The Stowaway . Griffin McElroy joins Bullseye to talk about how his gaming history informed his writing process for The Stowaway , navigating the enthusiastic support he’s received for The…
Sunn O))) is a drone metal band comprised of two guitarists, Stephen O’Malley and Greg Anderson. They’ve been making music together for over 25 years and just released their 10th studio album. The duo joined us to talk about the self-titled record and how they started making music together. They also chatted with us about what goes into putting on a Sunn O))) show, the gear they bring on the road…
Agriculture pushes the boundaries of what it means to be a black metal band. Late last year, the quartet released their second album, The Spiritual Sound . It appeared on many best-of-2025 lists, and you don’t have to listen to much of it to figure out why. The band joins us to talk about the record, how they preserve their vocals after doing a lot of screaming, and much more! See pcm.adswizz.com…
Comedian and podcaster Jimmy Pardo joins Bullseye to talk about the 20th anniversary of his show, Never Not Funny . He talks about the progression of his interactive, improvisational comedy style, how it led him to make Never Not Funny , and what he’s learned from weathering many eras of standup and podcasting. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for…
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…
The latest season of Daredevil: Born Again just dropped a couple of weeks ago. Vincent D’Onofrio stars as Kingpin, the show’s main antagonist. Last year, he joined us to talk about reprising that role in the show and even shared some details about how the costume he wears for the part was made. He talked with us about some of his most memorable roles, including parts in Men in Black and Homicide:…
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…
This week we're joined by two founding members of Devo: Mark Mothersbaugh and Gerald Casale! The band kicked off their farewell tour in 2023 – and it's still going strong with new tour dates added. When the band joined us they talked about how the band was founded and what it was like playing shows in their hometown of Akron, Ohio. Plus, they get into having one of their most popular songs used in…
Fab 5 Freddy stops by to talk with us about his new memoir: Everybody’s Fly: A Life of Art, Music, and Changing the Culture . Freddy, who was the original host of Yo! MTV Raps , takes us on a journey through hip-hop, from his early years attending DJ parties in the Bronx to tagging subway trains. He also chats with us about his friendship with Andy Warhol and much more. See pcm.adswizz.com for…
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…
...and now for something completely different! This week, we're celebrating the work of Monty Python. One of the most influential sketch groups of all time. This special episode features interviews from the founding members of Monty Python including Terry Jones, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for…
