Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

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."

Bonus – The Outshot: Filling Time

A special treat for our podcast listeners! For years, Bullseye would close out each episode with an essay written by Jesse called The Outshot. It was an opportunity to show appreciation for the things he loves. For Bullseye's recent 25th anniversary tour, we thought we'd bring The Outshot back. In it, Jesse reflects on his time working in radio. This segment was recorded live at The PIT in New York City. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

12-19
09:50

Bullseye 2025 Holiday Spectacular: Lil Rel Howery, Micky Dolenz and Sy Smith

It’s the Bullseye Holiday Spectacular! We look back at some of our favorite holiday interviews from the past. We’ve got Lil Rel Howery, Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, and singer/songwriter Sy Smith!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

12-16
01:20:55

Tony Shalhoub, Jad Abumrad, H. Jon Benjamin and more – Live at The PIT in NYC

On the latest episode we're coming to you live from New York City at The PIT. We've got interviews from Tony Shalhoub, Jad Abumrad, H. Jon Benjamin and stand-up from Josh Gondelman. Plus, music from Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez – the duo that wrote the music from Frozen, Coco and more. They'll perform a never-before-heard song that was written for Kermit the Frog. What a treat! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

12-09
01:11:51

The Hives

In the course of 30 years, The Hives have perfected what it means to be a garage rock band. We're joined by singer Howlin' Pelle Almqvist and his brother, lead guitarist Nicholaus Arson. They talk about the band's latest record The Hives Forever Forever the Hives. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

12-05
39:29

Vince Staples

Vince Staples returns to Bullseye! He chats with us about his Netflix series, The Vince Staples Show, what got him into making music and much more.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

12-02
50:37

25 interviews for 25 years

In celebration of Bullseye's 25th anniversary, Jesse conducted 25 interviews in a row! That's right, 25 interviews for 25 years. You'll hear from folks like Patton Oswalt, Lisa Loeb, Bob Odenkirk, David Wain, Cameron Esposito, Tony Hale and many many more. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

11-25
02:32:01

Adam Scott, Boots Riley, Glynn Washington and more - Live at Kuumbwa Jazz Center

We’re celebrating Bullseye’s 25th anniversary all month. This week, we visit the site of Bulleye’s origins, because this episode was recorded live in Santa Cruz at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. We are joined by Glynn Washington of Snap Judgment, Boots Riley of The Coup and Sorry to Bother You, and Adam Scott of Severance. Also, we have live tunes from Santa Cruz surf legends: The Mermen and stand-up comedy from Scott Simpson!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

11-18
01:08:12

25 Years Ago, Bullseye with Jesse Thorn was a weird college radio show

The Bullseye 25th anniversary celebration continues! This week, Jesse reunites with his old college co-hosts Jordan Morris and Gene O’Neil to reminisce about the early days of the show. We'll have vintage interviews with Patton Oswalt, David Cross, Matt Besser and Dick Dale, The King of the Surf Guitar!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

11-11
54:52

Roy Wood Jr., Jason Mantzoukas, Rebecca Sugar – Live at LAist

This whole month, we’re ringing in 25 years of Bullseye being on the airwaves. If you’ve heard our archives you might have heard Bullseye referred to as The Sound of Young America. That was the show’s original name when it started as a college radio show back at Santa Cruz’s KZSC.To kick off our 25th anniversary, we’re bringing you the first of many celebrations: a spectacular live show recorded at LAist 89.3 in Pasadena at their Crawford Family Forum.We’ll have interviews with Roy Wood Jr., Jason Mantzoukas, music from Rebecca Sugar. Plus, standup comedy from Al Madrigal.Roy Wood Jr. joined us to talk about his book – The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir. Jason Mantzoukas talked about being known as an improv guy and his time on Taskmaster. You can check out Rebecca Sugar’s latest EP Lonely Magic on Bandcamp. More info on live show dates for Al Madrigal on his website. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

11-04
01:08:59

Marc Maron & Brendan McDonald

WTF with Marc Maron revolutionized the medium of podcasting. Despite being one of the most popular podcasts in history, the show was run by two people: Marc Maron as the host, and Brendan McDonald as his producer. Maron and McDonald talked to Bullseye about WTF’s origins, their equal partnership in producing the show, and why it ended.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

10-28
01:09:37

Ana Fabrega, co-creator of ‘Los Espookys’

This week, we’re looking back on some of our favorite Spooky season interviews from across the twenty-five years we’ve been doing Bullseye. Ana Fabrega is a comedian, actor, writer, and co-creator of the show Los Espookys. In 2022, Ana joined us to talk about the show after it had just wrapped its second and final season.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

10-24
43:23

Bruce Campbell

Just in time for the spooky season, we're reaching deep into the furthest, darkest reaches of the Bullseye archives for this conversation with Bruce Campbell. The cult movie actor starred in Sam Raimi's "Evil Dead" – an absolute horror classic. When we talked to Bruce in 2011 he spoke with our correspondent Jordan Morris about the DIY aesthetic of his projects, obsessive fans, and how he came to make cult horror movies.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

10-21
43:10

Yaya Bey

Today on Bullseye, it’s songwriter and recording artist Yaya Bey! She just wrapped up a national tour in support of her new album, do it afraid. She talks to Bullseye about blending genres, and coming out on top after a tumultuous handful of years.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

10-17
45:02

Nick Offerman

Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation, Fargo, The Last of Us) returns to the show to talk about his new book, Little Woodchucks, and to share why woodworking is such a big part of his life. Plus, he gives Jesse a deep tissue massage. Yep, on the radio!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

10-14
44:28

'Slow Horses' creator Will Smith

Will Smith is the creator and showrunner of the hit Apple TV spy thriller Slow Horses. Smith talks with Jesse about the show's unique blend of drama, action and comedy. He also shares how he learned from Armando Iannucci, the best in the biz, while working on Veep and The Thick of It. Also discussed: farts! And how star Gary Oldman's character Jackson Lamb uses them as a plot device.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

10-10
40:41

Gwendoline Christie

This week, it’s Gwendoline Christie! She’s best known for her part as Brienne of Tarth on Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones launched Christie’s career. Before it wrapped, she was cast in two Star Wars movies. She recently earned an Emmy nomination for her part in Severance as the lady who was in charge of all the goats. She talks to Bullseye about art, resilience, and getting ready to wrangle all those goats.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

10-07
44:27

Why Digable Planets' Blowout Comb is one of the greatest albums of all time

Canonball is a segment that takes a closer look at albums that should be considered classics. This time around, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY of the One Song podcast discuss the game changing album Blowout Comb by Digable Planets.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

10-03
22:15

Ghostface Killah

We're joined today by Ghostface Killah, a founding member of the hip-hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. In 1996, Ghost put out Supreme Clientele – that record cemented his legacy. If you pull up one of those 100 best rap albums of all times list, you're bound to see it show up. Ghostface joins us on the latest episode of Bullseye to talk about Supreme Clientele 2, the follow-up nearly 25 years in the making. He also opens up about being responsible for two of his younger brothers with muscular dystrophy.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

09-30
48:42

Sonia Manzano

For nearly 5 decades, Sonia Manzano played the part of Maria on Sesame Street. She was the first Latina on the show – it was a big step forward for Latinas on TV! In 2021, she launched her own show called Alma’s Way. It’s an animated kids series about Alma Rivera, a 6-year-old Puerto Rican girl living in the Bronx.  This conversation was originally published in October of 2021.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

09-26
54:34

Christopher Lloyd

Christopher Lloyd has performed in a number of iconic roles over the years and at the age of 86 he has no plans to stop anytime soon. When Jesse last spoke with the Hollywood veteran, they chatted about his remarkable career in acting and what’s been keeping him in the biz. They also talked about his most memorable roles including his part as Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. This interview originally ran in March of 2021.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

09-23
38:00

Leslie bailiff

I really enjoyed this show! Hayden's music is just what I need right now. His pauses are so needed right now.

07-24 Reply

Kathryn Nordstrom

https://youtu.be/g5JqPxmYhlo?si=VFTU3xXl2JIe6adY.https://youtu.be/g5JqPxmYhlo?si=VFTU3xXl2JIe6adM irreconcilable differences... . . .still feels like the most right reason for our divorce. My love of "Are you going to Scarborough Affair " single plus The Beatles stuff still really gets to me SO, All is well. AuRevoir

03-23 Reply

Huckelberri Campbell

This is a clear example of why I stopped listening to NPR programs years ago. Thankfully Matt is a pleasant guy. The show was listenable but just. The whole episode had the air of an uninformed dink trying to hang with someone and convince them they are cool. Anytime a host has to tell someone multiple times "I really mean it" or "honestly it's true" you can feel the eye rolls. I'd rather hear click and clack repeats and leave interviews of people to Iunno..... professionals?

09-03 Reply

Elizabeth Ellen McCarthy

Pathetic gotcha interview.

04-15 Reply

Nikomaru kara Hirado-shima

OMG! I just love Rosie! Thanks Jesse! I never knew she was a Fly Girl. ILC was my second exposure to hip hop, first being MTV.

11-20 Reply

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