Bullseye with Jesse Thorn (donors-only feed)

Jesse talks to Benjamin and Christopher Wagner about America’s most beloved broadcaster --Mister Fred Rogers -- and they all hold back tears. Plus, Jesse sits down with another beloved, cardigan-wearing American: Bob Newhart! And did you know God calls into sports talk radio programs? Bullseye features another chapter of God’s memoir, as written by comedy scribe David Javerbaum.

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This week David Wain makes the successful leap from cultiest-of-cult comedy to the mainstream multiplex – and keeps things super funny. Correspondant Jordan Morris ranks all of the things in America because we told him to. Plus, the AV Club offers some of their all-time favorite culture picks, and Jesse talks about his JAM -- DJ Quick's Pitch In Ona Party

Daniel Handler delves into his memories of young love to pen the novel “Why We Broke Up” -- the twist? He writes the girl's side of the story. The Sklar Brothers talk about their new comedy album – from performing as identical twins to broadening their sports-nerd base. Plus Jesse suggests the Canadian TV show The Newsoom and American composer Nico Muhly shares the song that changed his life.

Actor Michael Rapaport profiles his favorite hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest, and ends up documenting their deep-rooted friendships and conflicts. Filmmaker Werner Herzog looks into the Chauvet Caves of France, where the oldest known cave paintings exist, practically untouched over thousands of years. Plus, AV Club writers offer their culture recommendations, Jesse suggests you listen to Sly Stone's “If You Want Me To Stay” and comedy group Kasper Hauser makes up the news.

Tim and Eric are known for Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job. They also promoted Shrek 3 without permission from the movie studio. Now, they've made a billion dollar movie of their own. Cartoonist Roz Chast's explains some of her day-to-day fears like balloons, water, and sitting on the ground. Plus a section from God's memoir (as dictated to comedy writer David Javerbaum) and Jesse suggests Randy Newman in his outshot.

Jenna Fischer talks about her first acting gig in LA, auditioning for The Office, and what all the actors are doing on their computers when they're in the background of a shot. The very real Jack Handey talks about his days as Steve Martin's neighbor, and how he writes Deep Thoughts. Plus this week's video game recommendations from Heather Anne Campbell and more!

Aisha Tyler talks about what pushed her into performance. She's on the animated FX show Archer. David Hornsby talks about building comedic stories from his real life relationships. His new animated FX show is called Unsupervised. Plus, the AV Club shares their recommendations and Jordan Morris puts America in its place … by ranking everything.

Jesse interviews comedian Chris Gethard about booking P. Diddy at a tiny theater in New York. Lawrence Weschler talks about why CGI faces will never look quite right, and why humans are addicted to narrative. Plus rap picks from Andrew Noz and pop culture advice from My Brother, My Brother and Me.

The first episode of Bullseye! Jesse interviews the cast of Downton Abbey, a costume drama on PBS Masterpiece that is NOT BORING AT ALL. He'll also talk to Chris Lilley, the Australian comedian behind the new HBO show Angry Boys. Plus, hear picks from the AV Club and the song that changed the Baltimore musician Dan Deacon's life.

Once a year the small staff here at The Sound of Young America compiles the best comedy we've heard from the past year. Our selections may not be poignant, they may not contribute to a broader understanding of our world, but hey, at least they're funny. Hear from Patton Oswalt, Tig Notaro, Mike Birbiglia and many many others this week on the Sound of Young America's 2011 comedy special from PRI.

Every year, dozens of public radio specials flood the marketplace. Only one has the slightly skewed, slightly sweet vision of The Sound of Young America. Interviews with Christmas legend Ronnie Spector (the sweet) and B-52s frontman Fred Schneider (the skewed). It's the only holiday special where you can hear Schneider's signature bellow delivering a heartening mid-winter message: "GIVE... ME... MORE... PRESENTS!"

Why not do a food episode? A conversation with the LA Weekly's Jonathan Gold, who is the authority not just on Los Angeles food, but on Los Angeles in general. Plus Ed Levine talks about how Serious Eats is for people who want to find the best foie gras AND the best local tacos. And humorist Rob Baedeker shares the contents of his CSA box.

Tabloid tales! Carrie Fisher talks about growing up behind the shadow of her celebrity parents, and electroshock treatments in her new book Shockoholic. Plus, Errol Morris obsesses over the power of narrative in tabloid stories -- specifically one involving sex kidnappings, dog cloning, and much much more.

Nile Rodgers is a legendary record producer and a member of the band Chic. If you don't know the band you certainly know their hits "Le Freak" and "Good Times", among many others. Rodgers talks about producing music for the dance floor, from Diana Ross to David Bowie. Plus, Keith and Tasha from the AV Club talk about Marilyn Monroe, Miranda July, and a movie called Tyrannosaur which is completely absent of dinos.

Two conversations exploring different kinds of New York men this week, plus rankings from a man all his own -- Jordan Morris. First, Glenn O'Brien, GQ's Style Guy, meditates on what it means to be a man in the 21st century. Then, writer Jonathan Ames talks about his TV show Bored to Death that follows the lives of three unconventional New York men as portrayed by Jason Schwartzman, Ted Danson and Zach Galifianakis.

When Jesse is not hosting this program, he serves as the baliff for the honorable Judge John Hodgman. This week we'll be presenting three of that program's FINEST cases on The Sound of Young America. -- The Case of the Youthful Indiscretions, the Girlfriend and the Grasshopper, and Panta-lunacy!

Patrick Warburton talks about how he came up with the “Puddy” voice, his career playing lovably dumb characters, and how he got to voice characters for TWO Disney theme park rides. Plus, Venture Bros. Creator Jackson Publick shares his own Warburton impersonation, and talks about what it's like to love the genre you're satirizing (in this case, boy adventures like Johnny Quest).

Kate Beaton is the woman behind Hark! A Vagrant, a web comic that applies Beaton's distinctive wit to subjects often drawn from history and literature. Plus, legendary cartoonist Gahan Wilson talks about taking his gleeful, macabre style to the pages of Playboy and The New Yorker. Plus, Rob Baedeker gives a lecture on chemistry and knocks it out of the park.

This week, two nudging the bruises that make creativity come out. Jeanne Darst talks about her new memoir on growing up in a literary family that spent more time drinking than writing. She kicks the booze to become more productive, and more creative. Plus a candid conversation with Marc Maron -- a poster child for turning pain into creativity. And don't forget to listen to the completely painless Jordan Ranks America!