Bullseye With Jesse Thorn

It Was Kathryn Hahn All Along! Kathryn Hahn shows up just when you need her most in some of our favorite television series and movies of the past 15 years! She's appeared in Step Brothers and Anchorman, in Parks and Recreation as political whiz Jennifer Barkley, as Rabbi Raquel Fein in Transparent and she stole the show in the recent Marvel hit WandaVision on Disney+ as nosy neighbor Agnes. She can do drama, comedy, action villain—she pretty much does it all! When she joined us in 2017 she was starring opposite Kevin Bacon in the Joey Soloway adaptation of the Chris Kraus novel, I Love Dick. Kathryn talks to Bullseye with Jesse Thorn about tapping into her own obsessions to get into character, playing complicated women and how her children helped strengthen her creativity. Plus, she'll tell us about that time she had a crush on Jesus Christ!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Craziest Day of my Entire Career is a segment that gives us the chance to talk with some of our favorite people about some truly unbelievable stories. This time around, we're joined by the comedian Kate Willett. Her debut, Glass Gutter, was one of our favorite albums from the last few years. She's followed that album up with an Audible Original series called Dirtbag Anthropology. It's a deeply personal series where Kate talks plainly about her life story: losing partners to divorce, to death, about what it's like to be a queer comic. When we asked Kate about the craziest day in her entire career she shared a story about a friend she met in grade school. They had lost touch over the years, but one day she was performing stand-up and an audience member recognized her. Things only got stranger after that. Kate Willett's Audible Original, Dirtbag Anthropology is available now.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We're joined by film directors Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart—creators of the new animated film Wolfwalkers. The film is the third installment in their Irish folklore trilogy that includes 2009's The Secret of Kells and 2014's Song of the Sea. Their latest follows the story of a young apprentice hunter named Robin as she bridges the world between an emerging 17th century colonized Ireland and the mysterious wolves said to be overrunning the lush woods that surround her family's town of Kilkenny. The film is lush, thought-provoking and adventurous. Tomm and Ross chat with Jesse Thorn about their breathtaking film, the films that inspired them as children and their own relationships to Irish folklore. Plus, they'll tell us what cartoon they consider the perfect stoner movie.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Born in Los Angeles' Crenshaw District, Terrace Martin found a love for hip-hop early on. The kids growing up around him were freestyling and playing in backyard shows. He grew up in a jazz household, and got his start as a saxophonist, too. With those two backgrounds, Terrace kicked off a career that would make him a trailblazing polymath in pop music. He's worked with rappers like Snoop Dogg, YG and Murs. He was heavily involved in Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly, producing many songs on the album including the hit King Kunta. We're revisiting our conversation from 2017. At the time, he'd just released The Sounds of Crenshaw Volume 1 with his band, the Pollyseeds. In 2020, he released seven EPs – including Village Days, and Dinner Party late last year. When he joined us we talked about his thoughts on hip-hop, and jazz that's taught in academic settings. Plus, why working with Kendrick Lamar was so important to him.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Documentary filmmaker Errol Morris has a very unique style of storytelling. Part of his creative process includes the use of a device he invented called a "Interrotron." It allows the subjects of his films to look at him, the interviewer, while also looking straight into the camera, creating the sense that his subjects are addressing the viewer directly. He's been lauded among the film community as a visionary and his film debut, 1978's Gates of Heaven is required viewing in film schools across the country. Since then, he's made The Thin Blue Line, The Fog of War and the 2014 Netflix series Wormwood. Revisit our 2014 conversation with the acclaimed director on why Wormwood is like an "Everything bagel," capturing the art of the story and how the mid 20th century inspires his obsession with retrospective filmmaking.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We're joined by Christian Jacobs, aka MC Bat Commander. He's the frontman for the SoCal band The Aquabats. The band got their start in the ska scene in the mid 1990s. Today, they perform as a genre-bending, family-friendly band with a lot of theatrics, costumes and pageantry. Christian is also the co-creator of the The Aquabats! Super Show! and the beloved children's program Yo Gabba Gabba. Their latest album, "Kooky Spooky... In Stereo" continues the band's tradition of great rock sounds with superhero-themed fun! Christian joins Bullseye with guest host Jordan Morris to talk about his earliest musical memories, the theatrics of punk music and the origin of the band's name. Plus, we'll learn about how they booked their first show before writing a single song!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Holly Hunter's had unforgettable roles in some of the best movies of the last 30 years. She's been nominated for several Academy Awards for her roles in films like Thirteen, The Firm, and Broadcast News. Her role in 1993's The Piano earned her an Academy Award. She starred in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Raising Arizona – two Coen Brothers classics! Her latest role is as Arpi Meskimen on Mr. Mayor, the new sitcom from Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. Holly's one of the most talented actors in the game, and we're thrilled to share this conversation. We talk about the new sitcom Mr. Mayor. Plus, we'll dive into her portrayal of Jane Craig in Broadcast News. She'll also throw us back to the time she had just moved to New York City and was roommates with Jason Alexander, long before they had their breaks in showbiz.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Buckle up folks, it's about to get weird and maybe even a little bit icky! Dr. Sydnee McElroy and Justin McElroy are here to share all the weird and fascinating stories most of us have never heard about medicine through the ages. They're the hosts of the Maximum Fun podcast, Sawbones and they joined Jesse in 2018 to talk about why they started the podcast, how medicine evolved from balancing humours to germ theory, and how in spite of all our advances, we still can't cure hiccups! Plus Justin explains what a "zzyzx" is.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Actor Steven Yeun played fan-favorite Glenn Rhee for 6 years on AMC's wildly popular series The Walking Dead. He's also appeared in critically-acclaimed films Okja, Sorry to Bother You and 2020's Minari. He joined Bullseye in 2018 to talk about his work in Burning, a film that earned him a Best Supporting Actor award from the National Society of Film Critics. Steven chats with Jesse about Walking Dead fan culture, growing up in Detroit and how unpacking the minefields of assimilation impacted his adult life. Plus, he'll share with us the second-best hockey comeback story of the 90s.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

All Creatures Great and Small tells the story of a Scottish veterinarian who moves out to the English countryside. It started as a book series written under the pen name James Herriot. In each chapter, Herriot drives around the Yorkshire Dales in an old car, from farm to farm, appointment to appointment. He treats horses, cows and dogs in neighboring villages. In the '70s and '80s, the books became a TV series of the same name on the BBC. All Creatures set in the '30s, between the wars. It's a quiet series – gentle, funny and bursting with love. There's a brand new television series based on the book. We talk about the latest reiteration with Ben Vanstone, writer and showrunner who created the reboot. There's quite a few animals on the show, but who's Ben's favorite? All that and so much more on the latest episode.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

From his role as the lovable Sam Malone on the classic sitcom Cheers to his role as the goofy demon Michael on The Good Place, Ted Danson has made an indelible mark on our hearts playing the mischievous cad you can't help but love. He talks with Jesse about his new show, Mr. Mayor, growing up in Tucson, and what he hopes happens when he dies. Plus, Ted tells us why you never let comedy writers know your secrets.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

John Wilson created the series "How To with John Wilson," one of our favorite new shows, a totally unique look at New York City, social anxiety, the pandemic and risotto. John joins Bullseye to chat about finishing a season of television during a pandemic, the nuance he found in his personal life from the edit process and making real life seem "less fake." Plus, we'll find out just how much of his life is dedicated to shooting the footage for his show.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Fran Lebowitz has lived in New York City pretty much her entire life. Her written work often provided American social commentary through her unique lens as a New Yorker. While her work is now iconic, it's been decades since she last published written works. These days she makes a living talking. She talks about politics, about New York and how it's changed. Fran also, kind of personifies New York City. Which makes her the perfect subject of the new Netflix docuseries Pretend It's a City. In the seven part series, Martin Scorsese chats with Fran about a number of topics including her relationship with New York – Manhattan in particular. Fran joins guest host Julie Klausner to discuss the new TV series about her. They cover a lot of ground including Fran's thoughts on: the Camp exhibit at the Met, outdoor dining, Dr. Fauci and more!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Comedian Natalie Palamides joins Bullseye this week to talk with guest host Carrie Poppy! Natalie and Carrie talk about Natalie's new Netflix special Nate: A One Man Show, what her parents think of her raunchy stand-up, and choosing to commit to your art over commercial projects. Plus, Natalie tells us about the occupational hazards of wrestling random audience members on stage.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This week, we're joined by actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. He played Clay Davis in the iconic television series The Wire. He's also appeared in some of our favorite films including Goodfellas, Gremlins 2: The New Batch, 25th Hour and last year's Da 5 Bloods. His latest project teams him up with Bryan Cranston in the new Showtime series Your Honor.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Robert Glasper is a Grammy award-winning pianist, producer and songwriter. He's worked with some of the biggest names in hip-hop from Kanye West to Common. Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly features some of his outstanding keyboard work. To date, he's earned three Grammy awards and is up for another two this year – best R&B song for "Better Than I Imagined" and best R&B Album for, F–k Yo Feelings. We're revisiting our conversation from 2012. At the time he'd just released one of his most acclaimed albums to date: Black Radio. Robert Glasper reflects on his longtime friendship and most memorable collaborations with Bilal. He also dives into the evolution of jazz , and how he sees himself in that world. And if you've ever wondered what it's like to party with Ludacris in Atlanta – he has the answer.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

This week we're revisiting our 2019 conversation with rapper Freddie Gibbs. Freddie joined us to talk about his childhood growing up in Gary, Indiana, carving out space for himself as a rapper from the Midwest, and how he always knew that one day he'd be famous. Plus, he tells us about how he met his MadGibbs collaborator, producer Madlib.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We're joined by comedian and actor Michael Ian Black on an all-new Bullseye! He's a founding member of the comedy groups The State and Stella as well as a regular on the kind of talking head pop culture shows that were all the rage in the late aughts. When he's not busy making us laugh on stage and screen, Michael is a prolific author. His first book, a children's book, was titled Chicken Cheeks and was the first of many books geared toward kids. He's also written several books for adults. His latest is A Better Man. It's a touching long-form letter to his teenage son about the perils and pitfalls of manhood and what it means to be a man in a society that often attempts to pigeonhole what manhood is allowed to look like. Black chats with guest host Carrie Poppy about raising a son and daughter, the lessons he's learned and how his mother's tumultuous past impacted how he sees the world.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We're back with our first new episode of the year! It's already one of our favorites in recent memory. Actor Glynn Turman talks with us about his extraordinary life. You might know him as Clarence Royce on The Wire, or Doctor Senator on the most recent season of Fargo. And he's had a number of iconic roles in films like in Gremlins and Cooley High, too. His latest role is in Netflix's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. It's a film adaptation of the August Wilson play of the same name. The story centers on a fateful recording session of "Mother of the Blues" by Ma Rainey in 1927 Chicago. Glynn's been in the game for over half a century – he reflects on his past roles and future ambitions. We also discuss what it was like working with Chadwick Boseman in his final film role. Plus, he shares an incredible story about how he met his second wife ... Aretha Franklin.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It's the most hilarious time of the year again! That's right, we're back for another End of Year Comedy special. This holiday season the staff at MaxFun HQ listened to countless hours of stand-up, considered thousands of punchlines, and subjected our funny bones to innumerable tickles so that we could deliver only the very best stand-up comedy of 2020 to you!Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy