Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

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

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

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

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

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

Science writer Mary Roach returns to Bullseye. She joins us to talk about her latest book: Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy. It's a history and snapshot of how humankind has gotten better at recreating body parts. A heads up, we will get into medical procedures, surgeries and those which include the removing and reattaching of body parts. It's a bit grisly. But stick around, we also talk about "superclean" pigs! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Regina Hall joins us to chat about starring in one of the year's biggest movies – One Battle After Another. She also tells us about her background in journalism and when she realized that her true calling was to be an artist. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

On the latest episode of Bullseye, we're joined by rapper LaRussell. The MC keeps busy. Since 2018, he's released nearly 40 studio albums! LaRussell talks about going viral on social media and throwing shows in his mom's backyard with big guests like Juvenile. Plus, he gets into his collaborative partnership and friendship with the king of crunk – Lil Jon. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Rian Johnson has dedicated the last 20 years of his career to making genre movies that transcend their genre. His latest smash hit film series, Knives Out, blends big, over-the-top whodunnit stories with humor and social satire. Johnson just wrote and directed the third movie in the series: Wake Up, Dead Man. Johnson joins Bullseye to talk about growing up as a youth-group kid in Orange County, California, why mystery is so inherent to his writing style, and the harsh realities of micro budget cinema. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Violinist and singer Sudan Archives, our guest this week, recently released her third full length album. BPM is a punchy, layered dance album filled with homages to Chicago house and Detroit Techno. We had a chance to talk with Sudan back in 2022 when she released her record Natural Brown Prom Queen. She spoke with us about the album, her concerts, and her favorite fellow fiddle players. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

This week, we’re joined by Johnny Knoxville. He’s been at the center of the Jackass universe for more than two decades and has performed stunts in all its iterations. Now in his 50’s, Knoxville has found ways to keep working without risking death. In the coming weeks, he'll host Fear Factor: House of Fear, a new reboot of the early 2000s reality competition show. Knoxville reflects on his time making Jackass, and what it’s been like to age into (and out of) the dangerous world of stunt performing. A version of this interview originally aired in August of 2023. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Each year, Bullseye looks back on the year in stand-up comedy by presenting listeners with an annual end of year stand-up comedy showcase! The Bullseye team combed through dozens and dozens of albums to bring you some of the best comedy of 2025. That includes stand-up from: Gianmarco Soresi, Robby Hoffman, Fortune Feimster, Josh Gondelman and more! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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, Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees, and singer/songwriter Sy Smith! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

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/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy