Bullseye With Jesse Thorn

We revisit Jesse's interview with the delightful stand-up comic Simon Amstell. On TV, he prods at the powers that be and has even caused a few walk-offs. But despite the escapades, Amstell spends much of his time on stage and off looking inward, at himself. The self-doubt got so deep that he went on a shamanic quest to South America for answers. Then Brian K Vaughn talks about his comic book series SAGA. It's a space fantasy about parenting with a deep, engaging mythology. Plus, AV Club contributors Erik Adams and Claire Zulkey talk about some all-time TV favorites: the serial drama Twin Peaks and the British sitcom Spaced. [Portions of this episode previously aired in December 2012.]Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

We're talking Veep this week with the HBO comedy's showrunner, Armando Iannucci, and its star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Iannucci talks about geeking out on American and British politics and recreating them on-screen. Then, Louis-Dreyfus talks about her days on Seinfeld and her favorite dirty phrase from Veep. Plus, British singer-songwriter Billy Bragg talks about the song that changed his life.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jesse talks to the director Shane Carruth. His new movie Upstream Color has almost no dialogue, involves a kind of abstract science fiction premise, but keeps you fully engaged. Then Jesse talks to Rodney Ascher, who directed Room 237. It's a documentary about The Shining. But it doesn't go behind the scenes. It features interviews with people who have radical theories about the movie. One guy even says that the film contains signs of a faked moon landing. Rodney and Jesse talk about how plausible all this stuff is, and whether the authorial intent even matters. Plus, comedian Kyle Kinane offers tips on keeping down your cab fare.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Actress Catherine O'Hara talks about her start with the Second City's SCTV, blockbuster success with Beetlejuice and Home Alone, and her perfect encapsulation of comic absurdity in Christopher Guest films like Waiting for Guffman and A Mighty Wind. But first, Jesse talks to Big Boi — one half of OutKast. The hip hop duo swung back and forth across the spectrum of popular music — zigging with cult favorites like "ATliens", and zagging with top 40 hits like "The Way You Move". Plus, pop culture advice from the hosts of My Brother, My Brother and Me.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

There's no mistaking actress Lily Tomlin. Even when the part is small, she's never lost in the background. In fact she almost steals the show in the new Tina Fey movie. It's called Admission. Jesse talks to Tomlin about her storied career. Then astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson chases the unexplored secrets of the universe and then tells Jesse why he shouldn't be scared of space. Plus, FOUND Magazine's Davy Rothbart is constantly discovering the amazing notes and photos that other people have left behind. He returns to the program to share a few of his latest favorites.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Dive into the empire that Cheers built. Whether it was The Cosby Show, Seinfeld, Frasier, or Friends, Warren Littlefield oversaw all of it. NBC was a Thursday night powerhouse in the 80s and 90s. But now? That's all pretty much crumbled. Hear an extended interview with a real-life television executive. His book is called Top of the Rock: Inside the Rise and Fall of Must See TV. Plus, Oliver Wang explains how a forgotten Al Green record helped create a new kind of soul music.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Simon Rich is an absolutely hilarious writer. He sits down with Jesse, and says that he doesn't write about the way love happens, he writes about the way love feels. Rich has a new book out — Last Girlfriend on Earth. Plus, we revisit an interview with comedian Bill Burr. The first time you hear Burr, you might think he's just a macho, in-your-face type of comic. But most of the time you'll find him pointing that aggression at himself. Plus, Eugene Mirman finds an old notebook in his parents basement and hear how soul singer Solomon Burke absolutely, positively tears the house down.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Alex Zalben and Brian Heater offer up some of their all-time comics favorites. The comedian Moshe Kasher talks about his amazing memoir, rapper Lateef the Truthspeaker reveals how jazz scat changed his life, and Jesse talks to the directors of Undefeated — it's a sports documentary, it won an Oscar, and NPR's Mike Pesca says it's better than Hoop Dreams! (This episode originally aired March 27, 2012.)Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Nathan Rabin and Marah Eakin from the AV Club talk about a couple of their all-time favorite albums from Warren Zevon and Fleetwood Mac, respectively. Aisha Tyler — who stars as Lana on Archer, the animated spy show on FX — talks about living a real-life version of Fame in high school and funneling her experiences as an outsider into performance and comedy. Plus, the jazz singer Bilal talks about his school days, too. He was voted the weirdest kid in his class. Bilal's new album is called A Love Surreal. And Jesse reveals the best cold open from a sitcom, ever. [Segments from this show aired on previous episodes of Bullseye and The Sound of Young America]Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The actor Andrew Rannells talks about growing up gay in Nebraska, his role in The Book of Mormon, and how to avoid uncomfortable moments when filming nude scenes. Public broadcasting legend Jim Lehrer discusses the benefits of working on a tight budget and his early years spent working in a bus depot. Plus, Thao Nguyen (of Thao and the Get Down Stay Down) shares the song that changed her life.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The Coup's Boots Riley talks about using lyrics to battle capitalism coporatism, police brutality and injustice. Roman Mars, host of 99% Invisible, traces his journey from wunderkind PhD student to public radio producer to crowd-funded podcaster. Comedian Steve Agee reveals why God invented the Internet Movie Database. Jesse recommends a song that never fails to make him think of the Bay Area. This week's show was recorded live on stage at the Punchline in San Francisco.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The writer George Saunders talks about his early creative challenges, the slight constant pressure of capitalism, and Tenth of December, his new book of short stories. Maria Bamford explains why she filmed her new comedy special in front of an audience of two (her parents), and why it's important to talk about scary stuff on stage. Plus, Jesse shares one of his favorite poems by William Carlos Williams.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

W. Kamau Bell, host of Totally Biased, calculates the gentrification sweet spot. Singer-songwriter Eleni Mandell's life is changed by a Tom Waits song, even though it wasn't the one she meant to hear. Plus comedian Mike Birbigilia makes a movie. He says it's the hardest thing he's EVER DONE — but he's down to do it all again. [This episode originally aired in September of 2012]Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jesse talks to Billy Eichner, who quizzes bewildered New York pedestrians on the topics that are nearest and dearest to his heart: Britney Spears, Meryl Streep and Madonna. But first, Nick Kroll talks about his new sketch series Kroll Show, and why all of his characters tend to exaggerate how important they actually are. Plus, writer Brad Tolinski explores the album that kicked off a new era of heavy rock n roll: Led Zeppelin III.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It may not be the movie that won Jeff Bridges an Oscar, but The Big Lebowski is still one of the actor's favorites. Bridges joins Zen master Bernie Glassman to talk with Jesse about the Dude in all of us. Then, H. Jon Benjamin talks about voicing the super spy Archer and his days recording Dr. Katz in a kitchen pantry. Plus, Jesse pays tribute to a California great: Huell Howser.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Craig Finn of The Hold Steady talks about the unpredictable and emotional music of the punk band The Replacements, and how one their songs changed his life. Documentarian Errol Morris reveals why he doesn't play "GOTCHA" with his interview subjects. Plus, an interview with the actor Benedict Cumberbatch. He's playing villains in two big upcoming blockbusters. We'll talk about putting his spin on one of pop culture's most ubiquitous heroes, Sherlock Holmes.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Aimee Mann explains her transition from an 80s pop star to a solo performer who writes mostly for her own tastes. Then, a conversation with Seth Godin. He's kind of a creative marketing guy, but not in the sleazy way. He's actually kind of brilliant. Plus, Jordan ranks what's best in America and Jesse suggests you check out Orson Welles' final masterwork - F for Fake.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Bullseye features the best stuff from comedy specials and comedy albums released in 2012. Hear from Demetri Martin, John Mulaney, Maria Bamford, Jim Gaffigan, Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Burress, Kyle Kinane, Paul F Tompkins, James Adomian, Doug Benson, Lewis Black, the ladies of Garfunkel & Oates, and Tig Notaro.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As a holiday gift, Bullseye features a conversation between two incomparable wits: Dick Cavett and Dave Hill. This event was taped live at MaxFunCon East in October of 2012.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

It's the Bullseye 2012 Holiday Special! But don't worry, there will be no Rudolph, and no Jingle Bells ... not if Jonathan Coulton and John Roderick have written an album full of all original Christmas songs. Then the guys from My Brother, My Brother and Me will offer their advice on some holiday-season quandaries. Plus, Tim DeLaughter The Polyphonic Spree talks about theChristmas extravaganza they took on the road.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy