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Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

NPR

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...

Location:

Santa Cruz, CA

Networks:

NPR

Description:

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."

Language:

English

Contact:

1553 Silverwood Ter. Los Ageles, CA 90026 206-984-4FUN


Episodes
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Vincent D'Onofrio

3/31/2026
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: Life on the Street. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:36:19

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Bobby Moynihan

3/27/2026
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. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:34:26

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Devo

3/24/2026
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 a commercial for a cleaning product. A version of this interview originally aired in 2010. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:30:39

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Fab 5 Freddy

3/20/2026
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. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:35:37

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Chuck Klosterman

3/17/2026
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. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:37:21

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The Best of Monty Python

3/10/2026
...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. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:01:14:40

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Remembering Willie Colón

3/6/2026
We’re taking some time to remember salsa legend Willie Colón, who died last month at the age of 75. When Colón joined us back in 2014, he talked with us about finding success in music at a young age, what he envisioned for the future of salsa, and much more. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:28:30

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Joyce Manor

3/3/2026
Joyce Manor is a three-piece punk band out of Torrance, California. They just released their 7th album, I Used To Go To This Bar. Barry Johnson, Chase Knobbe, and Matt Ebert from Joyce Manor talk with Bullseye about growing up together in the SoCal punk music scene, touring as a small act before the internet, and constantly being labeled as “all grown up,” despite being in their late 30s. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:34:50

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Photographer Noé Montes

2/27/2026
Noé Montes is a photographer based in Los Angeles. His work is currently on display at the Riverside Art Museum in a breathtaking exhibit called Noe Montes: Regional History. Montes' work often documents migrant farmworker communities like the one in which he grew up. Montes joins Bullseye to talk about the importance of telling a story through his subjects and photographs. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below: See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:39:07

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Raphael Saadiq

2/24/2026
Raphael Saadiq returns to Bullseye to talk about writing one of the biggest movie songs of the year for Sinners. He also chats with us about playing bass guitar as a teen in church bands, the origins of Tony! Toni! Toné!, and the final tour he got to go on with his late brother D’Wayne. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:46:04

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Jazz legend Ron Carter

2/20/2026
We’re revisiting our 2022 interview with jazz legend Ron Carter. These days, the man is 88 and is unstoppable. He recently joined forces with gospel icon Ricky Dillard on a new record titled Sweet, Sweet Spirt. When he was last on the show, he told us about the first instrument he ever learned to play, collaborating with A Tribe Called Quest, and much more! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:46:17

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Remembering Catherine O'Hara

2/17/2026
We’re taking a moment to remember actress and comedian, Catherine O’Hara, who died on January 30, 2026. She was 71 years old. Catherine O’Hara is a comedy legend. She helped launch SCTV. She starred in blockbuster comedies. For all of its six seasons, Catherine played Moira Rose on Schitt’s Creek, a comedy that follows a wealthy family who are forced to relocate to a rural town after losing their entire fortune. When Catherine joined Bullseye in 2013, she talked about the difficulties of being a woman in the SCTV writers’ room. Plus, creating memorable characters with Eugene Levy, and her own secret comedic formula. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:31:32

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Yahya Abdul-Mateen II

2/13/2026
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has been acting for just under a decade now, and in that short span of time, he’s portrayed a lot of superheroes and supervillains. He’s starred in Aquaman, the Watchman series, and now, he’s starring in the new Marvel show Wonder Man. Abdul-Mateen II sat down with our friend and correspondent jarrett hill to talk about the new series, his dreams of one day owning a farm, and much more! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:27:13

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Joe Cappa, creator of "Haha, You Clowns"

2/10/2026
Joe Cappa is the creator and primary voice actor of the show Haha, You Clowns. Like many Adult Swim shows, it features a very distinct style of animation. However, underneath the somewhat disconcerting visuals is a wholesome and sweet show. Cappa joins Bullseye to talk about his fascination with comedically buff characters, learning animation while working at an ad agency in Oklahoma, and borrowing from real life to create his first show. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:39:19

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Shonda Rhimes

2/6/2026
Shonda Rhimes is one of the most accomplished TV writers and producers of our time. She’s written shows like Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, and Grey’s Anatomy. In 2023, Shonda spoke with correspondent jarrett hill about creating shows without the restraints of network television and the insecurity that accompanies success, no matter how big you make it. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:41:20

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Mel Brooks

2/3/2026
A new HBO Max documentary just dropped called Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man! It’s about, well, Mel Brooks! And yes, he turned 99 this past June. We’re revisiting our 2013 conversation with the film and comedy legend, where he chatted with us about fighting in World War II, the genius of Gene Wilder, and much more! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:35:23

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The secret to writing great jokes, from Daily Show alum Elliott Kalan

1/30/2026
Elliot Kalan has been the head writer on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and the Mystery Science Theater 3000 reboot. Now he’s written a book about joke writing. It’s called Joke Farming: How to Write Comedy and Other Nonsense. He talks to Bullseye about developing a process for writing jokes reliably, writing topical jokes, and writing jokes for voices other than his own. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:30:21

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Susan Orlean on her memoir 'Joyride'

1/27/2026
Susan Orlean has spent a lifetime noticing the little details about others when she writes. The Orchid Thief followed an obsessive outlaw who collected rare flowers. The Library Book was a history of LA’s central library and particularly the suspicious fire that nearly burned it down. For once, she’s pointed her attention at herself in her memoir Joyride. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:47:23

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Remembering Isiah Whitlock Jr.

1/23/2026
We’re taking a look back at the life and work of the great actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. Whitlock died in December, he was 71. Whitlock performed in hit movies and TV shows like The Wire, Da 5 Bloods and Goodfellas. We’ll revisit our conversation with the late actor from 2021. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:40:38

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Walton Goggins

1/20/2026
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. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Duration:00:45:01