

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
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."
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 2, 2024 • 34min
Kaitlin Olson
Chances are you've probably seen Kaitlin Olson on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The show's been on the air for almost two decades now! Olson also performs on the TV comedy Hacks. She earned an Emmy nomination for her part on the show. When Olson came on Bullseye back in 2015, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia had just wrapped its 10th season! She talked with us about morally broken comedy characters and whether it's a good idea to fall in love with the creator of your TV show.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jun 28, 2024 • 35min
Choreographer Twyla Tharp
Twyla Tharp is a legend in the world of dance. She's danced and choreographed professionally for nearly 60 years. Tharp is 82 and she's still working just as hard as ever. She has a new show that she choreographed – How Long Blues. When we spoke to Twyla she had just written a book called Keep it Moving: Lessons for the Rest of Your Life. We're thrilled to revisit this conversation. She's one of the most insightful, hilarious, and sassy guests we've ever had on the show.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jun 25, 2024 • 36min
Michael Stipe
Michael Stipe is forever cemented in the minds of music fans as the lead singer of R.E.M., one of the biggest rock bands in history. He's also made some fun appearances on shows like At Home with Amy Sedaris and The Adventures of Pete and Pete. R.E.M. was also recently inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame where they performed their classic song "Losing My Religion." When Stipe was last on Bullseye, we talked with him about discovering his voice, his passion for photography, and the new music he'd been writing.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jun 21, 2024 • 41min
Ray Suarez on his new book 'We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century'
You may have heard Ray Suarez on Bullseye before. He was last a guest on the show in 2016 and has since interviewed all kinds of folks for us. Lately, Ray has been spending a lot of time abroad. He lectures at the New York University campus in Shanghai. During his time abroad, he's been thinking a lot about what it means to be an immigrant. He's interviewed people from all across the globe on the topic, and has compiled their stories into a new book called We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jun 18, 2024 • 45min
Walton Goggins
Walton Goggins is a master of comedy, action and drama – take his latest project Fallout – a performance that blends all of that into something really special and compelling. Walton joins us to talk about the series, and why he was so enthusiastic to take the role before he even knew much about it. Walton also gets into his love of horseback riding and growing up with a father who's larger than life. Plus, how one of the characters he portrays on Fallout became an accidental sex symbol.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jun 14, 2024 • 45min
A History of Queerness in Cinema with Alonso Duralde
Alonso Duralde is a critic, podcast host, and film writer. He just published a new book, Hollywood Pride: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Representation and Perseverance in Film. It looks at the history of film through a queer lens, showcasing the contributions of queer actors and directors in Hollywood. Alonso joins Bullseye to talk about the book, portrayals and erasures of LGBTQ+ characters, and some quintessential queer movies to watch.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jun 11, 2024 • 39min
Maya Erskine
Maya Erskine stars in the Amazon Prime series Mr. and Mrs. Smith. It's an action thriller in which she stars opposite Donald Glover. It's a dark, high stakes, prestige, serialized adaptation of the 2005 film of the same name. Maya joins us to talk about the series and how she prepared for the role. We also get into her time in college and how she'd make skits with her longtime friend and collaborator Anna Konkle. Plus, she shares some stories with us about her time in arts high school.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jun 7, 2024 • 34min
Remembering Steve Albini
The record producer Steve Albini was a legend. He recorded with The Stooges, Pixies, Nirvana and so many others. He passed away last month at the age of 61. Jesse Thorn spoke with him 17 years ago. The interview was recorded live at the Second City in Chicago. In the conversation they got into his creative process and why he thought the best albums were made over a weekend rather than several months. They also talked about Missoula, Montana and how that influenced his taste growing up.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jun 4, 2024 • 43min
Shonda Rhimes
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, one of the longest-running primetime TV shows ever. When Shonda was last on Bullseye, Shonda spoke with our correspondent Jarrett Hill on her newest project, Queen Charlotte – it's a spinoff of the widely popular Bridgerton series. With Bridgerton now in its third season, we revisit our conversation with Shonda Rhimes.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

May 31, 2024 • 40min
Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson began his music career as the guitarist for the English folk rock band Fairport Convention. Following his time with the group, he began performing as part of a duo with his then wife, Linda. Then, after the couple split, as a solo artist. Thompson has recorded over two dozen albums. His latest record is called Ship to Shore and it's out now! He talks with us about the new record, his time with Fairport Convention and even performs a few songs alongside his wife, Zara Phillips.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy