

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 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

Sep 23, 2025 • 35min
Christopher Lloyd
Christopher Lloyd has performed in a number of iconic roles over the years and at the age of 86 he has no plans to stop anytime soon. When Jesse last spoke with the Hollywood veteran, they chatted about his remarkable career in acting and what’s been keeping him in the biz. They also talked about his most memorable roles including his part as Judge Doom in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. This interview originally ran in March of 2021.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sep 19, 2025 • 40min
Elizabeth Gilbert
If you know Elizabeth Gilbert's name, it might be for her book Eat, Pray, Love. Earlier this month, Gilbert published a very different memoir: All the Way to the River: Love, Loss, and Liberation. It centers around her relationship with her partner, the writer Rayya Elias and the aftermath of her cancer diagnosis. Elizabeth Gilbert joins us to talk about the intense, very harrowing book. Content Warning: This episode dives into some very intense topics including: addiction, cancer, sex, suicide, death and violence.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sep 16, 2025 • 44min
Jinkx Monsoon
Jinkx Monsoon is a legend in the world of drag. For fans of RuPaul's Drag Race she is often referred to as "Queen of All Queens" – she's the only performer to win that competition show twice. More recently she's been performing on stage like Little Shop of Horrors and Chicago. Currently, you can catch her on Broadway in Cole Escola's Tony award-winning play Oh Mary. We discuss Jinkx's latest gigs on the stage and how she found herself through drag performances. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sep 12, 2025 • 42min
Jason Segel
Jason Segel starred in Freaks and Geeks, How I Met Your Mother, Knocked Up. But he's also an accomplished writer and creator. He wrote the classic romcom Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and revived The Muppets for a new generation.When Jesse talked to Segel in 2020, Jason had just created the weird and wonderful TV drama Dispatches from Elsewhere - a show he says put him "out of his comfort zone." He'll talk about that, and what makes the Dracula song in Forgetting Sarah Marshall... unforgettable. You can catch him on the Apple TV+ show Shrinking, where he stars opposite Harrison Ford.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sep 9, 2025 • 51min
Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk is an alt-comedy legend. He wrote for Saturday Night Live in the 90s. Then he got the part in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul as Saul Goodman. He’s also a writer. With the help of his children, he released a collection of poems called Zilot & Other Important Rhymes. Bob joins us to talk about writing poetry and how he turned his worn notebook into a book of poetry with the help of his children.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sep 5, 2025 • 44min
Genndy Tartakovsky
There aren't many animators more beloved than Genndy Tartakovsky. He created two golden era Cartoon Network shows: Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack. He has worked on countless other animated projects including Star Wars: Clone Wars, Batman: The Animated Series, Hotel Transylvania and many more. Genndy joins us to talk about his latest animated project: Fixed – a raunchy comedy about dogs, their private parts and friendship. He also takes us back to the early days of Cartoon Network.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Sep 2, 2025 • 41min
Alex Edelman
Alex Edelman plays Adam Cooper on The Paper, the new show from NBC set in the universe of The Office. Edelman is also an award winning standup and writer. His solo show, Just For Us, offers a very funny, very personal examination of white supremacy and Jewish identity. He talks to Bullseye about his unlikely position as the least impressive member of his family, the difference in audience reactions to his standup in the US and the UK, and how he hopes The Paper will make audiences feel good.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Aug 29, 2025 • 36min
Documentary filmmaker Victor Kossakovsky
Victor Kossakovsky, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker known for his thought-provoking works, joins to discuss his latest film, Architecton, which focuses entirely on the beauty and significance of stone. He shares his journey from human stories to exploring inanimate subjects, revealing the emotional connections that can be made with rocks. Kossakovsky emphasizes visual storytelling over conventional narratives and reflects on the ethics of architecture, urging a deeper connection with nature and sustainability in design.

Aug 26, 2025 • 37min
HAIM
Danielle and Alana Haim, members of the acclaimed band HAIM, dive into the creative process behind their latest record, I Quit. They candidly discuss growing up in the San Fernando Valley and how their high school experiences inspired some shocking lyrics. The sisters reveal the joys and challenges of live performances post-pandemic while reflecting on their early days in music. Their unique blend of influences and familial bonds shines through as they share the significance of collaboration and community in their artistry.

Aug 22, 2025 • 49min
The Beach Boys' Al Jardine
Al Jardine, a founding member of The Beach Boys, reminisces about his incredible journey in music. He reflects on the emotional impact of Brian Wilson's recent passing and shares memories of their time together. Al discusses his new EP, 'Islands in the Sun,' and the resurgence of The Beach Boys' magical harmonies in his solo work. The conversation touches on the intricate dynamics of their iconic sound and the enduring legacy of their compositions, showcasing the heartfelt connections that music can create.


