Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

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. Monsoon is set to make her debut on London's West End this August in London 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 dra...

Barney Frank died earlier this year at the age of 86. He served in Congress for 32 years, representing Massachusetts’ 4th district. In December of 2015, Frank joined us at a live show in Boston to chat about a book he had written called Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage . He also talked with us about his early political career, why he felt his public service was...

The Death of Robin Hood is the latest film from writer and director Michael Sarnoski. The film alternates between brutal violence and meditative, almost serene thoughtfulness. Sarnoski joined us to talk about the themes in his latest film and what it was like to shoot on 35 mm on location in Ireland. He also gets into what he learned working with movie stars like Nicolas Cage and Hugh Jackman.  Se...

Craig Ferguson joins us to chat about his new documentary series, Craig Ferguson: American On Purpose . He talks to us about his love for America and his experience with becoming an American citizen. He also talks with us about his time hosting the Late Late Show and how he dealt with the stress of making new episodes every day. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of p...

Hello! His name is Andrew Rannells. And we would like to share this amazing interview. It's an interview about The Book of Mormon , a long long time ago… Rannells played Elder Price, the lead role in the original run of the smash hit musical. We get into his journey to the Broadway stage and some memorable scenes from his roles on television including HBO's Girls . A version of this interview orig...

Allison Janney has played many memorable roles, including CJ Cregg on The West Wing , Bonnie on the CBS sitcom Mom , and as Tonya Harding’s mother in I, Tonya . These days, you can catch her in the new movie Miss You, Love You , as well as the Netflix drama The Diplomat. When Allison Janney joined us back in 2014, she was starring on two TV shows – Showtime’s Masters of Sex and CBS’s Mom . She tal...

Katie Dippold created the new horror-comedy on Apple TV, Widow’s Bay . The show uses plenty of humor, and it nods to the horror greats, but it is not a spoof. It’s earnestly scary! She talks to Bullseye about maintaining the delicate balance of horror and comedy, writing movies that have been on the receiving-end of intense internet discourse, and what she learned writing for Parks and Recreation...

Ben Vereen is an actor, dancer and singer – a classic triple threat. His work in theatre is legendary: Sweet Charity , Hair , Jesus Christ Superstar , Pippin and countless others. These days you can catch him on The Gray House on Prime Video. Ben joins us to talk about the themes the show shares with his previous work on Roots , and what's changed about his craft after decades of iconic work. See...

Kneecap is an Irish hip-hop group comprised of three members: Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí. The band’s beats are pretty intense, and their lyrics are fierce and as political as they come. Kneecap joined us to talk about their new record Fenian , how they’ve been influenced by Irish rebel music, starring in a film about themselves, and more! See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our coll...

Ann Wilson and her sister, Nancy, founded the rock band Heart. She’s also the subject of a new documentary: Ann Wilson – In My Voice . She joins Bullseye to talk about finding her voice while covering Led Zeppelin songs, navigating the masculine-centric world of 70s rock and roll, and maintaining a sibling relationship through a 50-year career. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect...

The Song That Changed My Life is a segment that gives a chance for musicians and artists to tell us about the song that made them who they are today. This week, we talked to Joey Santiago, guitarist for the Pixies. Third Stone from the Sun by Jimi Hendrix helped him understand the guitar in a way he had never thought of before. Pixies will be heading on the road this summer. You can check out tour...

Juvenile became a household name in 1998. That's when he dropped his breakthrough record, 400 Degreez , featuring Back "That Thang Up" among others. Earlier this year, he released Boiling Point – his first album in over a decade. He joins Bullseye to talk about touring with a live band, choosing to make party records, and auditioning for Cash Money Records from the backseat of a car. See pcm.adswi...

Poppy Liu joins us to talk about all things I Love Boosters and the message she hopes audiences take away from the film. She also chats with us about her upbringing in Minnesota, how she got into comedy acting, her role on Hacks, and much more! See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR P...

We’re joined by LaKeith Stanfield! He’s reunited with rapper and filmmaker Boots Riley for the new film I Love Bosters . LaKeith chats with us about the movie and what it’s been like working with Boots on another project. He also talks with us about how he got cast on Donald Glover’s Atlanta , how he got into making music, and more. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use...

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis have been working together for 40 years, producing some of the biggest R&B records of all time. When they spoke to Bullseye in 2021, they had just released their first ever album as recording artists:  Jam & Lewis, Volume 1 . They talked about the album, the hits they contributed vocals to, and the jaw-dropping synthesizer work they do on the Janet Jackson single “Love Wi...

To say that Andy Serkis is good at so many different things is an understatement. He’s revolutionized the practice of motion capture, is a genius real-life actor, and does work behind the camera as a director. Serkis joined us to talk about his animated adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm . He also shares his thoughts on the impact AI has had on technology in film, and much more. See pcm.ads...

Zach Galifianakis was on the road to become a huge blockbuster actor. At the height of his fame he kind of did the unexpected – he moved to a small rural town in Canada. He has kept working in showbiz, but lately has more important things to do like tend to his garden. Zach joins us to talk about his latest projects The Audacity and This is a Gardening Show . Plus, what it's like to be raising his...

In the mid '80s, an art collective known as the Guerilla Girls drew attention to issues of discrimination and representation in galleries and museums all over the world. They wore gorilla masks while doing it. Jesse talks to a founding member of the Guerrilla Girls, who goes by Kathe Kollwitz. She reflects on the origins of the group, anonymity in the art world, and what the group means now more t...

Ann-Margret is your classic triple threat: she can sing, dance, and act. And she just turned 85 years young! When she joined us on the show back in 2023, she had just released an album called  Born To Be Wild . She invited us to her home to chat about the record, her iconic Hollywood career, and much more. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponso...

Tig Notaro is a standup comic, actor, podcast host. Last year, she produced a documentary called Come See Me in the Good Light . It was shot during what would be the last year of poet Andrea Gibson’s life, before they died in July of 2025 after a years-long battle with terminal ovarian cancer. Notaro talks to Bullseye about processing the death of Andrea Gibson in the middle of doing press for a f...

Kenan Thompson has been doing sketch comedy on TV for decades. He is the longest tenured cast member in Saturday Night Live history. Kenan recently co-wrote a book called Unfunny Bunny. He joins us to talk about why he wrote a children's book about collaboration and why after all these years he finds comfort in performing on SNL. We also get into some of his most iconic sketches including Black Je...

We've got a sneak peek of something really special: A brand new series where Jesse and the Bullseye team give tailor-made recommendations to you. Yes, you! For our very first episode we're joined by Pop Culture Happy Hour's Linda Holmes!  See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy...

Riz Ahmed is back on Bullseye! He chats with us about his role in the new  Hamlet  film and his personal relationship with Shakespeare’s work. We also get into his early days as a battle rapper, if he plans to keep rapping as he gets older, and much more! See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship prefere...

Kristen Schaal is the best. Her voice is unmistakable. You definitely know her as Louise Belcher from Bob's Burgers , but she's also had unforgettable parts on 30 Rock , and more. More recently she's been taking her talent to the stage. Her new show is called The Legend of Crystal Shell . Kristen joins Bullseye to talk about the new show and some of its mature themes. We also get into her voice wo...

Join Jesse as he ventures out into the real world for a special bonus episode called  Bullseye’s Gold ! For the inaugural journey, he’s talking to people at the Paper World Stationery Expo 2026 in Anaheim, California. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy