Bullseye : About
Airs Saturdays at 1PM on AM 820 and Sundays at 6PM on FM 93.9
Bullseye is a public radio show about things that are awesome. Each week on the show, host Jesse Thorn, "America's Radio Sweetheart," hosts in-depth discussions with personalities from the world of entertainment & the arts. Think of it like Conan O'Brien on public radio, or "Fresh Air," but more fun.
The program is carried on public radio stations around the country, and was the first public radio program west of the Mississippi to podcast. It has received plaudits from publications like Time Magazine (which called it "Pick of the Podcasts") and Salon.com. It also was honored by the iTunes editorial staff as a "classic" Best of iTunes selection. Since July of 2007, the show has been distributed by Public Radio International.
http://www.maximumfun.org/shows/bullseye
Latest Stories from Bullseye
Last updated: Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:12 PM
Nile Rodgers
Tuesday, May 21 2013 09:30 AM
Nile Rodgers played guitar on the new Daft Punk single, but decades before that he launched a string of hits with the group Chic, including "Le Freak" and "Good Times", and went on to become a songwriting and producing superstar. He was behind...
Mel Brooks and The Source Family
Tuesday, May 14 2013 09:30 AM
Jesse talks to Mel Brooks about his unparalleled career -- from writing for Sid Caesar on television in the 1950s to working with Gene Wilder on The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein in the 60s and 70s. Then later, Jesse talks to the...
Huey Lewis and Phone Phreaking with Phil Lapsley
Tuesday, May 07 2013 09:30 AM
Jesse talks to Huey Lewis about his pub rock beginnings, his multi-platinum success with the album Sports, and how he wrote songs for movies like Back to the Future and Pineapple Express. He also talks about the time he snuck onto an airplane bound...
Simon Amstell and Brian K. Vaughan
Tuesday, April 30 2013 09:30 AM
We revisit Jesse’s interview with the delightful stand-up comic Simon Amstell. On TV, he prods at the powers that be and has even caused a few walk-offs. But despite the escapades, Amstell spends much of his time on stage and off looking inward,...
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Armando Iannucci and Billy Bragg
Tuesday, April 23 2013 09:30 AM
We’re talking Veep this week with the HBO comedy’s showrunner, Armando Iannucci, and its star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Iannucci talks about geeking out on American and British politics and recreating them on-screen. Then, Louis-Dreyfus talks...
Shane Carruth (Upstream Color) and Rodney Ascher (Room 237)
Tuesday, April 16 2013 09:30 AM
Jesse talks to the director Shane Carruth. His new movie Upstream Color has almost no dialogue, involves a kind of abstract science fiction premise, but keeps you fully engaged. Then Jesse talks to Rodney Ascher, who directed Room 237. It’s a...
Big Boi from OutKast and Catherine O'Hara
Tuesday, April 09 2013 05:05 AM
Actress Catherine O’Hara talks about her start with the Second City’s SCTV, blockbuster success with Beetlejuice and Home Alone, and her perfect encapsulation of comic absurdity in Christopher Guest films like Waiting for Guffman and A...
Lily Tomlin, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Davy Rothbart
Tuesday, April 02 2013 01:38 AM
There’s no mistaking actress Lily Tomlin. Even when the part is small, she’s never lost in the background. In fact she almost steals the show in the new Tina Fey movie. It’s called Admission. Jesse talks to Tomlin about her storied...
NBC’s Must See TV with Warren Littlefield, former NBC executive
Monday, March 25 2013 10:45 PM
Dive into the empire that Cheers built. Whether it was The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, Frasier, or Friends, Warren Littlefield oversaw all of it. NBC was a Thursday night powerhouse in the 80s and 90s. But now? That's all pretty much crumbled. Hear an...
Simon Rich and Bill Burr
Tuesday, March 19 2013 09:30 AM
Simon Rich is an absolutely hilarious writer. He sits down with Jesse, and says that he doesn't write about the way love happens, he writes about the way love feels. Rich has a new book out -- Last Girlfriend on Earth. Plus, we revisit an interview...
Moshe Kasher and Lateef the Truthspeaker
Tuesday, March 12 2013 09:30 AM
Alex Zalben and Brian Heater offer up some of their all-time comics favorites. The comedian Moshe Kasher talks about his amazing memoir, rapper Lateef the Truthspeaker reveals how jazz scat changed his life, and Jesse talks to the directors of...
Aisha Tyler and Bilal
Monday, March 04 2013 09:11 PM
Nathan Rabin and Marah Eakin from the AV Club talk about a couple of their all-time favorite albums from Warren Zevon and Fleetwood Mac, respectively. Aisha Tyler -- who stars as Lana on Archer, the animated spy show on FX -- talks about living a...
Andrew Rannells, Jim Lehrer, Thao Nguyen
Tuesday, February 26 2013 10:30 AM
The actor Andrew Rannells talks about growing up gay in Nebraska, his role in The Book of Mormon, and how to avoid uncomfortable moments when filming nude scenes. Public broadcasting legend Jim Lehrer discusses the benefits of working on a tight...
Boots Riley, Roman Mars and Steve Agee – Recorded at SF Sketchfest!
Tuesday, February 19 2013 03:51 AM
The Coup's Boots Riley talks about using lyrics to battle capitalism coporatism, police brutality and injustice. Roman Mars, host of 99% Invisible, traces his journey from wunderkind PhD student to public radio producer to crowd-funded podcaster....
Maria Bamford and George Saunders
Monday, February 11 2013 07:28 PM
The writer George Saunders talks about his early creative challenges, the slight constant pressure of capitalism, and Tenth of December, his new book of short stories. Maria Bamford explains why she filmed her new comedy special in front of an...
W. Kamau Bell, Mike Birbiglia and Eleni Mandell
Tuesday, February 05 2013 10:30 AM
W. Kamau Bell, host of Totally Biased, calculates the gentrification sweet spot. Singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell's life is changed by a Tom Waits song, even though it wasn't the one she meant to hear. Plus comedian Mike Birbigilia makes a movie....
Nick Kroll and Billy Eichner
Monday, January 28 2013 06:21 PM
Jesse talks to Billy Eichner, who quizzes bewildered New York pedestrians on the topics that are nearest and dearest to his heart: Britney Spears, Meryl Streep and Madonna. But first, Nick Kroll talks about his new sketch series Kroll Show, and why...
Jeff Bridges, Bernie Glassman and H. Jon Benjamin
Tuesday, January 22 2013 12:10 AM
It may not be the movie that won Jeff Bridges an Oscar, but The Big Lebowski is still one of the actor's favorites. Bridges joins Zen master Bernie Glassman to talk with Jesse about the Dude in all of us. Then, H. Jon Benjamin talks about voicing the...
Benedict Cumberbatch, Errol Morris and Craig Finn
Tuesday, January 15 2013 10:30 AM
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady talks about the unpredictable and emotional music of the punk band The Replacements, and how one their songs changed his life. Documentarian Errol Morris reveals why he doesn't play "GOTCHA" with his interview subjects....
Aimee Mann & Seth Godin
Monday, January 07 2013 07:26 PM
Aimee Mann explains her transition from an 80s pop star to a solo performer who writes mostly for her own tastes. Then, a conversation with Seth Godin. He's kind of a creative marketing guy, but not in the sleazy way. He's actually kind of brilliant....
The 2012 Comedy Special
Monday, December 31 2012 08:56 PM
Bullseye features the best stuff from comedy specials and comedy albums released in 2012. Hear from Demetri Martin, John Mulaney, Maria Bamford, Jim Gaffigan, Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Burress, Kyle Kinane, Paul F Tompkins, James Adomian, Doug Benson,...
Bonus Episode! Dick Cavett and Dave Hill at MaxFunCon East
Sunday, December 23 2012 07:14 PM
As a holiday gift, Bullseye features a conversation between two incomparable wits: Dick Cavett and Dave Hill. This event was taped live at MaxFunCon East in October of 2012. ...
Holiday Special with Jonathan Coulton, John Roderick & The Polyphonic Spree
Monday, December 17 2012 08:28 PM
It's the Bullseye 2012 Holiday Special! But don't worry, there will be no Rudolph, and no Jingle Bells ... not if Jonathan Coulton and John Roderick have written an album full of all original Christmas songs. Then the guys from My Brother, My Brother...
Dolly Parton & Judd Apatow
Tuesday, December 11 2012 10:30 AM
Jesse interviews Dolly Parton about the sacrifices she made for her astounding career and how she feels about them now. Plus, Judd Apatow talks about his new comedy This Is 40. It explores the struggle many married couples face as they juggle...
Simon Amstell, Brian K Vaughn & Jordan Ranks America
Monday, December 03 2012 10:44 PM
An interview with the delightful stand-up comic Simon Amstell. On TV, he prods at the powers-that-be and has even caused a few walk-offs. But despite the escapades, Amstell spends much of his time on stage and off looking inward, at himself. The...
RJ Smith profiles James Brown, comedy from Cameron Esposito
Wednesday, November 21 2012 02:02 AM
James Brown wasn't just the Minister of the New New Heavy Super Funk and the Godfather of Soul. He was the hardest working man in show business, and a complex character to boot. RJ Smith profiles the legend of popular music in an extensive biography,...
Tavi Gevinson, Retta & Michael Ian Black
Tuesday, November 20 2012 10:30 AM
Tavi Gevinson talks about how weird it can get navigating the fashion world as a teenager. Then Retta – the comedian and actress you might have seen on Parks & Recreation – talks about how to steer clear of typecasting. And...
Writer Fran Lebowitz
Monday, November 12 2012 06:24 PM
A conversation with the New York cultural authority Fran Lebowitz. Find out why she was expelled from high school, why she waltzed into a publishing office barefoot to submit her first manuscript, and why she's had writers block for more than thirty...
Actor Stephen Tobolowsky
Monday, November 05 2012 08:00 PM
Stephen Tobolowsky is a veteran character actor. Now he's an author, too, but his book isn't about Hollywood stuff. It's about normal stuff from his life like getting held up at the grocery store, or spending Christmas tripping on acid. Plus, Kasper...
Ice-T, Greta Gerwig and Aaron Freeman
Tuesday, October 30 2012 09:30 AM
Ice-T talks to us about interviewing Snoop, Rakim, and a bunch of other famous rappers for his documentary on rap. Plus, did Ice REALLY write rhymes for Mr. T? Jesse also talks to Greta Gerwig, star of the movie Lola Versus, and Aaron Freeman...
Key & Peele, Pop Culture Quandaries with My Brother, My Brother and Me
Friday, October 19 2012 11:30 PM
Keegan-Michael Key & Jordan Peele talk about their comedy beginnings on MADtv; impersonating everyone from presidents, to weather men, to gang members on their Comedy Central show; and a card game that Jordan Peele designed himself Plus,...
Vijay Iyer, Demetri Martin & Dave Hill
Tuesday, October 16 2012 09:30 AM
Jazz pianist and composer Vijay Iyer explores the relationship between music, the mind and the body. The comedian Dave Hill performs in front of his toughest audience yet: 250 maximum security felons. But it doesn’t turn out quite how he...
Liam Lynch and Geoff Nunberg on the "A-word"
Monday, October 08 2012 07:31 PM
The writer, director and musician Liam Lynch talks to us about bringing back his sock puppet duo Sifl and Olly and how he met not ONE, but TWO Beatles. Plus, linguist Geoff Nunberg talks about how the word "asshole" found its way into our lexicon in...
Syl Johnson, Gillian Flynn and Matt Berninger from The National
Monday, October 01 2012 09:55 PM
Jesse talks to Syl Johnson – the soul singer who has been sampled on countless hip-hop records -- about turning down the record deal that ended up going to Al Green. Julie Klausner sits down with Gillian Flynn, the author of Gone Girl. Her...
Rob Delaney, Nellie McKay and Jordan Ranks America
Monday, September 24 2012 07:22 PM
Jesse talks to Rob Delaney, one of the funniest guys on Twitter with over a half a million followers. He might prefer the virtual world because he’s so uncomfortable with the human body.And co-host Julie Klausner talks to Nellie McKay who...
Wayne White, Antibalas, Brent Weinbach
Tuesday, September 18 2012 09:30 AM
Wayne White is the subject of a new documentary directed by Neil Berkeley. If you ever wished you could live in Pee-Wee Herman's bizarre and amazing playhouse - Wayne's the man responsible for that dream. Jesse talks to both Wayne and Neil about how...
R.A. Dickey, pitcher for the New York Mets
Monday, September 10 2012 08:29 PM
Mets pitcher RA Dickey talks about fighting his way through 10 years as a marginal pro baseball player before giving himself over to the uncontrollable but devastating knuckleball.Then we travel back to the early 60s, on the streets of San Francisco,...
W. Kamau Bell, Mike Birbiglia, Eleni Mandell
Monday, September 03 2012 06:24 PM
W. Kamau Bell, host of Totally Biased, calculates the gentrification sweet spot. Singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell's life is changed by a Tom Waits song, even though it wasn't the one she meant to hear. And comedian Mike Birbigilia makes a movie....
Kurt Andersen, Chris Fairbanks and Ari Graynor
Tuesday, August 28 2012 09:30 AM
Guest host Jordan Morris sits down with Kurt Andersen to talk about creative procrastination, why a new generation is happily digging into its parents record collection, and Andersen's new book True Believers. The comedian Chris Fairbanks shares a...
Black Dynamite, The Explorers Club and Rachel Dratch
Monday, August 20 2012 09:31 PM
Black Dynamite's Michael Jai White and Carl Jones talk about their favorite blaxploitation films of the 70s. Actress Rachel Dratch walks into a bar, and six months later she's pregnant. Plus, Jason Brewer, guitar player for the The Explorers Club, on...
Bob Newhart and the Directors of Mr. Rogers & Me
Monday, August 13 2012 08:06 PM
Jesse talks to Ben 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 – Mr. Bob Newhart! And did you...
Redd Kross and Matt Braunger
Monday, August 06 2012 08:41 PM
Jordan Morris sits in for Jesse and talks to the influential punk band Redd Kross about their own influences -- from Deep Purple to Ziggy Stardust -- and then asks where they disappeared to for almost a decade. Plus, the comedian and actor Matt...
Michael Ian Black & Tom Bissell, author of Magic Hours: Essays on Creators and Creation
Monday, July 30 2012 05:50 PM
Michael Ian Black talks about his memoir: "You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations". Plus, Black explains why he started compulsively Googling the phrase "Fat Kevin Federline". The writer Tom Bissell recalls...
RJ Smith profiles James Brown, comedy from Cameron Esposito
Tuesday, July 24 2012 04:55 PM
James Brown wasn't just the Minister of the New New Heavy Super Funk and the Godfather of Soul. He was the hardest working man in show business, and a complex character to boot. RJ Smith profiles the legend of popular music in an extensive biography,...
Lisa Kudrow, Eric Andre and American Pickers' Danielle Colby
Monday, July 16 2012 06:16 PM
Lisa Kudrow -- the “dumb” one from Friends -- talks about her career in brain science, and her current Showtime show Web Therapy. Plus, Eric Andre deconstructs the talk show -- quite literally.And Jesse goes on a hunt for the ultimate flea...
Robert Glasper and Pendleton Ward
Monday, July 09 2012 10:41 PM
Robert Glasper transforms the 90s grunge hit Smells Like Teen Spirit into something surprisingly beautiful. Jesse talks to Pendleton Ward about his animated show Adventure Time. It combines two great elements of teenage boyhood: innocence and...
Mark Adams, Dave Hill, Jordan Ranks America
Monday, July 02 2012 09:34 PM
Mark Adams – a magazine editor who had never even slept in a tent as an adult– treks through the Andes tracing the journey of Hiram Bingham. And the comedian Dave Hill ALSO throws himself into a difficult situation – performing at...
Elvis Mitchell, of Montreal's Kevin Barnes and My Brother, My Brother and Me
Tuesday, June 26 2012 09:30 AM
Elvis Mitchell on how he made a career writing about movies, and why he was arrested on the Canadian border with Cuban cigars and 15 thousand in cash. Kevin Barnes, from of Montreal, goes small in the studio but BIG and BOLD on stage. Plus, the...
Scott Aukerman, Mark Duplass, David Rees
Tuesday, June 19 2012 12:58 AM
Mark Duplass is involved in half a dozen projects. But he isn't worried about spreading himself too thin. Plus, Jesse talks to the writer and comic Scott Aukerman about sketch comedy on the cult classic Mr. Show, scripts for doomed film projects, and...
Ice-T, Greta Gerwig and Aaron Freeman
Monday, June 11 2012 07:23 PM
In his new movie, Ice-T interviews Snoop, Rakim, and a bunch of other famous rappers. Plus, Ice reveals whether he wrote raps for Mr. T in the 80s. Jesse also talks to Greta Gerwig -- star of the new movie Lola Versus, -- and Aaron Freeman -- formerly...
Daniel Handler, The Sklar Brothers and Nico Muhly
Monday, June 04 2012 06:35 PM
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...
Kurt Braunohler and Walter Mosley
Tuesday, May 29 2012 09:30 AM
Comedian Kurt Braunohler explains his improvised anti-game show, where among other things, comedians are challenged to verbally shame puppies. The comedy group Kasper Hauser will interrupt our entertainment program to bring you a fake news broadcast....
R.A. Dickey, pitcher for the New York Mets
Tuesday, May 22 2012 09:30 AM
Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey talks about fighting his way through 10 years as a marginal pro baseball player before giving himself over to the uncontrollable but devastating knuckleball.Then we travel back to the early 60s, on the streets of San...
Benedict Cumberbatch, Morgan Webb, Craig Finn
Monday, May 14 2012 09:51 PM
Craig Finn of The Hold Steady talks about the unpredictable and emotional music of the punk band The Replacements, and how one their songs changed his life. Video game journalist and TV host Morgan Webb talks semiotics, video games, and who REALLY...
Chris Gethard & Lawrence Weschler
Tuesday, May 08 2012 09:30 AM
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 some all-time TV picks from Erik...
Michael Ian Black and Tom Bissell
Tuesday, May 01 2012 10:30 AM
Michael Ian Black talks about his memoir: "You're Not Doing It Right: Tales of Marriage, Sex, Death, and Other Humiliations". Plus, Black explains why he started compulsively Googling the phrase "Fat Kevin Federline". The writer Tom Bissell recalls...
Tony Hale and Nicholas Stoller
Monday, April 23 2012 02:40 AM
The actor Tony Hale talks about his early commercial work, his faith, and who to call when you need to learn a few new swear words ... FAST. Writer and director Nick Stoller extols the virtues of the romantic comedy genre. His new movie is The Five...
Rachel Dratch and the creators of Eagleheart
Tuesday, April 17 2012 01:43 AM
Comic actress Rachel Dratch walks into a bar, meets a guy and six months later she's pregnant. It's all in her new memoir. Plus, the creators of the comedy TV show Eagleheart talk about their primary inspiration: Walker Texas Ranger; and about working...
Jazz pianist Robert Glasper and animator Pendleton Ward
Tuesday, April 10 2012 03:55 AM
An interview with jazz pianist Robert Glasper, who transforms the 90s grunge hit Smells Like Teen Spirit into something surprisingly beautiful. Then Pendleton Ward talks about his animated show Adventure Time. It combines two great elements of...
Bob Newhart and Benjamin and Christofer Wagner of "Mister Rogers and Me"
Tuesday, April 03 2012 03:28 PM
Jesse talks to Benjamin and Christofer 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...
Moshe Kasher, Lateef the Truthspeaker, and the directors of Undefeated
Monday, March 26 2012 11:53 PM
The comedian Moshe Kasher talks about his amazing new memoir, rapper Lateef the Truthspeaker reveals how jazz scat changed his life, and Jesse talks to the directors of Undefeated -- it's a sports documentary, it won an Oscar, and Mike Pesca says it's...
Swamp Dogg, John Mulaney, Comic Book Picks and Kasper Hauser
Tuesday, March 20 2012 09:00 AM
Unsung soul maverick Swamp Dogg reflects on his long and storied recording career, with hits ranging from R&B, to psychedelic to country. John Mulaney debuts a second stand-up comedy special and continues his meteoric rise. Plus, Alex Zalben and...
Baratunde Thurston, Stuff You Should Know, Mark Frauenfelder
Tuesday, March 13 2012 09:00 AM
Author and comedian Baratunde Thurston talks about how to be black, whether it's in high school at Sidwell Friends, in college at Harvard, or while working at The Onion. His satirical self-help book is called -- that's right! -- 'How to Be Black'....
Jeffrey Tambor, Doug Jones, Andrew Noz and God on Noah
Tuesday, March 06 2012 11:00 AM
Actor Jeffrey Tambor talks about his portrayal of Jesse's favorite television character -- Hank Kingsley on The Larry Sanders Show. Then, an interview with Doug Jones. He's tall and skinny, with a skinny face. His physicality and mime training have...
Key & Peele, The AV Club and My Brother, My Brother and Me
Tuesday, February 28 2012 11:00 AM
Keegan-Michael Key & Jordan Peele talk about their comedy beginnings on MADtv; impersonating everyone from presidents, to weather men, to gang members on their new Comedy Central show; and a card game that Jordan Peele designed himself! Plus,...
David Wain, The AV Club, and Jordan Ranks America
Tuesday, February 21 2012 11:00 AM
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...
Daniel Handler, The Sklar Brothers, Nico Muhly, Mark Frauenfelder
Tuesday, February 14 2012 11:00 AM
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...
Michael Rapaport, Werner Herzog, AV Club Recommendations, Kasper Hauser News
Monday, February 06 2012 07:58 PM
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...
Tim and Eric, Roz Chast, Noz on Rap and God's Favorite Things
Tuesday, January 31 2012 11:00 AM
Tim and Eric are known for the surreal and uncomfortable comedy in their sketch show 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....
Jenna Fischer, Jack Handey, Video Game Picks and Kasper Hauser
Tuesday, January 24 2012 10:00 AM
Jenna Fischer talks about her totally-made-up-sounding 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...
Aisha Tyler, David Hornsby, Jordan Ranks America, The AV Club
Tuesday, January 17 2012 11:00 AM
Aisha Tyler funnels her childhood outsider-y experiences toward comedy and 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...
Mini Episode! Lawrence Weschler on The Museum of Jurassic Technolog
Tuesday, January 10 2012 12:55 AM
In a supplement to this week's interview, Lawrence Weschler talks with Jesse about The Museum of Jurassic Technology. Don't miss this!...
Chris Gethard, Lawrence Weschler, Andrew Noz and More
Tuesday, January 10 2012 11:00 AM
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...
Downton Abbey, Chris Lilley, Dan Deacon, AV Club Picks
Tuesday, January 03 2012 02:00 PM
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 Summer Heights High and the new HBO show Angry...
2011 Comedy Special
Thursday, December 22 2011 08:57 PM
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...
Ed Levine from Serious Eats
Friday, December 16 2011 11:00 AM
Ed Levine is the founder and editor of the blog Serious Eats, a forum for sharing "food enthusiasm." He's written regularly about NY food and the iconic American foods and their place in our society. The blog has spawned a new book, called Serious...
Comedy: Rob Baedeker's CSA Box
Wednesday, December 14 2011 12:30 PM
Our contributor Rob Baedeker's new kick is his organic farm, and he shares the letter from his CSA box with us. Rob is a member of the comedy sketch group Kasper Hauser and a freelance writer....
Food Writer Jonathan Gold
Monday, December 12 2011 03:49 AM
Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold talks to us about how he manages the day to day eating, the best pastrami sandwich, overcoming food fears and more. He writes for the LA Weekly and is the author of the highly regarded food guide to Los...
Carrie Fisher
Monday, December 05 2011 04:00 AM
Carrie Fisher is perhaps best known as Princess Leia from the seminal Star Wars films, but she began her celebrity life as a baby -- the daughter of America's sweethearts, Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. Carrie battled addiction, mental...
AV Club Picks: December 2011
Thursday, December 01 2011 03:30 AM
AV Club Editor Keith Phipps and Associate Editor Tasha Robinson join us to give their culture picks for December 2011....
Nile Rodgers
Monday, November 28 2011 04:00 AM
Nile Rodgers launched a string of hits with the group Chic, including "Le Freak" and "Good Times", and went on to become a songwriting and producing superstar. He was behind Diana Ross' "I'm Coming Out", David Bowie's "Let's Dance", Madonna's...
Comedy: Jordan Ranks America, November 2011
Monday, November 21 2011 03:00 AM
Our correspondent Jordan Morris pores over what's happening in America to let you know what's best in the US right now....
Patrick Warburton
Wednesday, November 09 2011 09:00 AM
Patrick Warburton is a live and voice actor known for his roles on Seinfeld, NewsRadio and The Venture Brothers among others. He's currently starring in the popular CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement and is the voice behind the talk show host in the...
Comedy: Rob Baedeker's Chemistry Lecture
Thursday, November 03 2011 06:17 PM
Rod Baedeker from Kasper Hauser drops by The Sound of Young America to share with us his ground-breaking lecture he gave at Cal Tech....
Kate Beaton, Author of Hark! a Vagrant
Monday, October 31 2011 02:30 AM
Kate Beaton authors the webcomic Hark! a Vagrant. The comic strips mine history and literature for figures to be reimagined and skewered as petulant children, jaded superheroes and Victorian dude-watchers, accented by a very expressive drawing style....
Jeanne Darst, author of Fiction Ruined My Family
Friday, October 28 2011 08:00 AM
Jeanne Darst is a writer and performer whose work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine and This American Life. She recently published her first book, Fiction Ruined My Family, about her literary family who spent more time drinking than...
Comedy: Jordan Ranks America, October 2011
Wednesday, October 26 2011 11:00 AM
Don't know where to turn, or who to believe? Try our correspondent Jordan Morris, who brings you the best of America every month....
Marc Maron
Monday, October 24 2011 12:01 AM
Comedian and comedy-inquisitor Marc Maron talks about turning it all around, doing standup and hosting his smash podcast (turned public radio show) WTF. His new comedy album is "This Has to Be Funny"....
Rin Tin Tin with Susan Orlean
Monday, October 17 2011 03:30 AM
Bestselling nonfiction author and The New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean talks to us about the fascinating life of the dog and the character Rin Tin Tin, plus much more. Her new book is Rin Tin Tin: The Life and The Legend....
AV Club Picks: Fall TV
Thursday, October 13 2011 02:30 PM
Today's guests from the AV Club are TV Editor Todd VanDerWerff and Assistant Editor Erik Adams. They drop by to discuss their TV picks for the Fall season from Showtimes 'Homeland' to NBCs 'Up All Night' running through the hits and misses with Host...
Bootsy Collins
Monday, October 10 2011 03:30 AM
The legendary funk bassist joins us to talk about creating the persona of Bootsy, playing music with two very different band leaders, James Brown and George Clinton, and more....
John Roderick: The Song That Changed My Life
Wednesday, October 05 2011 05:06 PM
The Long Winters' frontman, John Roderick, talks to us about the song that changed his life: ZZ Top's Gimme All Your Lovin'....
Jonathan Coulton & John Flansburgh
Monday, October 03 2011 01:32 AM
For Jonathan Coulton, success as a musician has come with recording music himself, releasing individual songs online one-at-a-time, and even selling his catalog on a USB drive. So in a way, his new album Artificial Heart is a terrifying turn to...
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Thursday, September 22 2011 11:30 AM
John Hodgman guest hosts this interview with astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Dr. Tyson is the director of the Hayden Planetarium, but the layperson likely knows him as the host of Star Talk Radio and the PBS program Nova ScienceNOW. His...
George R.R. Martin
Monday, September 19 2011 02:30 AM
John Hodgman guest hosts an interview with the fantasy, science fiction and horror author George R. R. Martin. Martin is the author of the very popular series known as "A Song of Ice and Fire", which has recently been adapted for the HBO show...
Retromania with Simon Reynolds
Thursday, September 15 2011 09:30 AM
Is cultural innovation at risk when we indulge in retromania? Music critic Simon Reynolds joins us to talk about why songs today are more unimaginative when we have unprecedented access to decades' worth of past music, the loop of re-creating old...
Nicolas Winding Refn, Director of "Drive"
Monday, September 12 2011 06:09 AM
Nicolas Winding Refn is the Danish director of the new film "Drive", starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan. Refn had a very specific vision for the film, which included trance-like music and throwbacks to the aesthetics of films of his childhood....
Robert Popper
Wednesday, August 31 2011 12:30 PM
Robert Popper is a British comedy writer behind projects like the BBC mock educational series "Look Around You" with Peter Serafinowicz and the new BBC America series "Friday Night Dinner". He's also an accomplished prankster. We'll talk...
Paul Scheer
Friday, August 26 2011 09:00 AM
Paul Scheer, an actor and comedian behind shows like Adult Swim's NTSF:SD:SUV:: and MTV's Human Giant, talks to us about low budgets, when parody comes from a place of love, and more....
OK Go's Damian Kulash: The Song That Changed My Life
Wednesday, August 24 2011 12:00 PM
Damian Kulash talks to us about the moment he heard Herbie Hancock's Rockit, and how it it informed his life today as the lead singer of OK GO. The band's live album, 180/365, is out now....
About Bullseye
Bullseye is a public radio show about what's good in popular culture. With a keen editorial eye, Bullseye sifts the wheat from the chaff, and brings you hot culture picks, in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary creative people and irreverent original comedy. Bullseye is equal parts funny and fascinating. Whether you're already plugged in to the culture map, or looking for a signpost, Bullseye will keep you on target.