Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

We're replaying Jesse's 2010 interview with Jim Lehrer, who died last month at 85. He was a giant in the world of journalism – particularly in the world of public broadcasting. Jim hosted PBS' NewsHour. He was an anchor in public broadcasting for well over 35 years. He moderated a dozen presidential debates. When we spoke to Jim in 2010, he shared stories about juggling his job at a bus depot while being a college student and at Victoria College. Plus, the challenges of being the editor of his school's newspaper. He also shared how he got his start in public media.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We're revisiting our conversation with the great Randy Newman. He's just been nominated for two Academy Awards, one for the score he composed for Noah Baumbach's Marriage Story, and another for the original song he composed for Toy Story 4. It's called "I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away." Randy's songbook is a part of the fabric of modern pop culture. He writes pop songs, catchy tunes that can perfectly encapsulate a touching film moment. But he also writes songs that come from a place of darkness. Randy talks about writing songs that tap into his feelings, being inspired to get into writing music for film by his three uncles and meeting Frank Sinatra. Plus, Randy ponders why a guy with seven Grammys hasn't had more hits.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Joe is the creator and star of Adult Swim's Joe Pera Talks with You, one of our favorite new shows TV. In it, Joe plays a version of himself living in small-town Michigan as a middle-school choir teacher. The show is like nothing else you've seen on television before: brilliant, weird and heart warming. Cross our hearts, hope to die.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The brilliant Greta Gerwig joins us for the third time! We'll welcome back Greta to talk about her latest film. It's an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. It's up for six Academy Awards this year, including Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress and Best Adapted Screenplay. Greta talks about her casting choices in Little Women including her surprising choice of Bob Odenkrik as father March. Plus, what the book meant to her growing up, and why she's shocked that her version of the adaptation exists.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This past week, we lost a talented comic genius: Terry Jones. He was one of the founding members of the legendary British sketch comedy group Monty Python. He co-directed Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and directed both Monty Python's Life of Brian and Monty Python's The Meaning of Life. Terry was also a well respected medieval historian – in fact, he wrote two books on poet Geoffrey Chaucer. Later in his career, he became a prolific children's book author. His books were always a bit surreal, witty and charming. He was a hero to many comedy nerds obsessed with Monty Python. We're taking a moment to remember Terry Jones. When he joined Bullseye (then The Sound Of Young America) nearly 14 years ago he talked about his years with the Pythons. Plus, what it was like when he was given the opportunity to re-edit his cult classic The Saga of Erik the Viking.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We're taking a look back at some of our favorite moments from over two decades worth of Bullseye episodes. In 2018, we caught up with journalist and author Susan Orlean. Susan's an accomplished author who's written for The New Yorker for thirty years. Her work has also appeared in Esquire and Vogue. She's the author of 8 books including; Saturday Night, My Kind of Place and The Orchid Thief. Susan chats with us about her most recent book, The Library Book, which is out now in paperback.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Now that The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel is in its third season, we're revisiting our interview with actor Tony Shalhoub. He talks about how he loves acting in Mrs. Maisel's low-tech world and how he relates to his character Abe as a father himself. Jeese also chatted, of course, about the show he played an OCD detective on for seven years, the award-winning series Monk. Plus, Tony talks about the film that inspired him to embark on his creative path as an actor.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Twyla Tharp has moved her whole life. She dances - she's danced and choreographed professionally for 55 years now. She exercises. And now, she has a book. "Keep it Moving" is a manifesto on living your life with purpose and vigor, which Tharp has in spades. Seriously, she's one of the most insightful, hilarious, brilliant and sassy guests we've ever had on the show. She's a legend in the world of dance. She also kind of makes fun of Jesse's dog, and chides him for not moving enough.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Rob Huebel joins us to talk about his new series Medical Police - the spin-off of his old show Children's Hospital, which ran for seven seasons on Adult Swim. He's a talented comic actor who has appeared on MTV's Human Giant and on Amazon's critically-acclaimed series Transparent. Rob sits down with Jesse to talk about where he gets his sense of humor from, what it's like playing jerks with a heart of gold and how he got his start in improv. Plus, he'll talk to us about his favorite types of silly comedies. All that and more on a all-new Bullseye!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Fabric's Marianne Jean-Baptiste joins us to talk about her role in Peter Strickland's bizarre thriller. Marianne is an acting veteran. She's starred in varied works, from acclaimed dramas like Secrets & Lies, to long-running FBI shows like Without a Trace. Marianne chats with us about the difference between feature and series acting, and how her role in In Fabric reconnected her with her passion for the process. Plus, she'll tell us about the time she read a newspaper for 45-minutes as part of an audition.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy