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Artwork for Bullseye

Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

NPR
Comedy
Mental Health
Stand-Up Comedy
NPR
Hip Hop
Music Industry
Severance
Family
Los Angeles
Hollywood
Apple TV+
Podcasting
Hip-Hop
Demar Derozan
Academy Awards
Marlee Matlin
Pup
Baseball
Animation
Television

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."

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes1035Founded21 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Bullseye

Latest Episodes

We’re talking with Mike Kinsella and Steve Holmes of the emo band American Football. The band just released their fourth full length album, simply titled: American Football (LP4). Mike and Steve join us to chat about their early years playing music t... more

Geena Davis is a genuine legend in show business: Beetlejuice, Thelma and Louise, A League of Their Own and many more. For over two decades, The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media has gathered data on representation of not just women but of all... more

Rakim changed the rap game forever. He’s one half of the groundbreaking hip-hop duo, Eric B. and Rakim. And a legendary solo rapper in his own right. Rakim joined us on the show back in 2023. That year marked 50 years of hip-hop. He talked with us ab... more

The character actor Dale Dickey has a career that spans nearly four decades and more than 150 roles. When she's on screen you know you're in for a treat. Dale's now in her mid-60's, and she's just been nominated for her first Emmy for her performance... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Dale Dickey
Veteran character actor known for Winter's Bone, Widow's Bay, Justified
Actor
Episode: Dale Dickey on her Emmy nominated performance in 'Widow's Bay'
Stavros Halkias
Comedian and podcaster, host of Stavi's World
Self / Stavros Halkias
Episode: Stavros Halkias
Kurt Andersen
Writer and editor, co-founded Spy Magazine; former host of PRI's Studio 360
Spy Magazine; Studio 360
Episode: I Wish I Made That: Kurt Andersen, author of 'The Breakup'
Isaiah Rashad
Rapper, Top Dawg Entertainment artist
Top Dawg Entertainment
Episode: Isaiah Rashad
Sean Clements
Writer and actor, co-host of Hollywood Handbook
Hollywood Handbook, The Dink
Episode: Podcaster and writer Sean Clements on 'The Dink'
Meshell Ndegeocello
Grammy-winning bassist and singer
Episode: Meshell Ndegeocello
Kate Berlant
Comedian and actor known for Would It Kill You to Laugh and He's Gay, She's Half Jewish
Self/Various
Episode: John Early and Kate Berlant
John Early
Actor and comedian known for Maddie's Secret and Would It Kill You to Laugh
Self
Episode: John Early and Kate Berlant
Judy Chicago
Artist working in sculpture, performance, needlework, and other media
Independent artist, renowned for The Dinner Party
Episode: Judy Chicago

Host

Jesse Thorn
Host of high-profile arts and culture interview program with a long-running, thoughtful interview style that probes craft and personal journey; frequently engages with actors, musicians, writers, and filmmakers.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 3.2k ratings
  • HOF anticlimax worth of Taskmaster prize task

    I’ve heard of Jesse for what, decades, and never listened. Assumed he’s podcasting royalty. So, he’s got the Taskmaster hosts? Sure, I’ll listen, happy to give him a try. It was an hour of super vanilla interview and HE MISPRONOUNCED GREG DAVIES’s NAME OVER AND OVER AND OVER. And the interview was so boring, nothing new and interesting about it.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    hans macgruber
    United States2 months ago
  • Music Saved my Life

    The Raphael Saadiq episode was so heartfelt and heartwarming. Big fan of this podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emariej2918
    United States6 months ago
  • Full of himself

    The guy is a know it all and doesn’t let his guests speak.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mr Majestik
    United States10 months ago
  • True man of culture…

    Long-time listener but getting GFK on the pod is next level greatness. Blessings and props on an amazing run, Jesse!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BigH914
    United Statesa year ago
  • Good interview. Learned stuff. Inspired

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Listener4675
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some critics feel the host can be slow or too cautious with certain guests.
Many find host questioning insightful and engaging across a wide range of topics.
Listeners praise thoughtful, respectful interviews and diverse guests.
A few comments note strong loyalty and frequent listening due to high-quality conversations.
Positive feedback highlights the show's ability to surface intimate and craft-focused stories.

Top Society & Culture Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
This American Life
This American LifeThis American Life
Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics RadioFreakonomics Radio + Stitcher
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
Behind the Bastards
Behind the BastardsCool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rakim
Q: What did Rakim contribute to hip hop that set him apart from earlier rappers?
Rakim emphasizes flow and internal rhymes, describing a shift from simple four-beat cadences to more intricate, melodic, and rhythmically complex rapping, which helped redefine what rap could sound like.
Dale Dickey on her Emmy nominated performance in 'Widow's Bay'
Q: How did you end up on TV after a long regionals and stage career?
She explains the move from theater to TV, the challenges with agents, hip-pocketing, and finally getting opportunities in Nashville/LA through a combination of persistence, regional work, and finding the right agent who believed in her as a strong Appalachian character actress.
Podcaster and writer Sean Clements on 'The Dink'
Q: How do you feel about the fact that so much of the internet comedy economy is people making celebrities uncomfortable?
From the perspective of someone who has built a career on provocation, he acknowledges the appeal but emphasizes that his own approach seeks to entertain and involve the guest in a way that remains fun and engaging, not mean-spirited.
Isaiah Rashad
Q: How do you handle past controversies and stay focused on your art?
Rashad emphasizes responding to events with resilience, maintaining privacy when possible, and prioritizing growth and authentic storytelling in his work.
Isaiah Rashad
Q: Do you want to be a big rap star, and what does that mean for you?
He expresses that he wants his music to reach as many people as possible in a positive way, with gravity that helps bring people together rather than chasing superficial fame.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Bullseye

What is Bullseye about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Bullseye features in-depth conversations with artists, writers, actors, musicians, and other cultural figures, exploring craft, process, and the broader landscape of arts and culture. Episodes tend to mix career retrospectives with timely discussions about creativity, identity, and the media industry, often revealing behind-the-scenes stories, practical craft insights, and thoughtful takes on culture. A standout thread across episodes is the host's patient, probing interview style and the show's ability to surface nuanced perspectives from a wide range of guests, from indie filmmakers to renowned performers. This mix makes it appealing for listeners who want thoughtful, well-rounded conversations about art, culture, and creative work, occas... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers Bullseye has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Bullseye?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Bullseye:

1. Judge John Hodgman
2. Jordan, Jesse, GO!
3. E Pluribus Motto
4. Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out
5. The Three Questions with Andy Richter

How many episodes of Bullseye are there?

Bullseye launched 21 years ago and published 1035 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Bullseye?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Bullseye from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Bullseye?

Recent guests on Bullseye include:

1. Dale Dickey
2. Stavros Halkias
3. Kurt Andersen
4. Isaiah Rashad
5. Sean Clements
6. Meshell Ndegeocello
7. Kate Berlant
8. John Early

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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