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Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

NPR
Comedy
Mental Health
Stand-Up Comedy
NPR
Music Industry
Severance
Hip Hop
Los Angeles
Family
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

Bob Mackie died on September 14, 2026. He was 87. Mackie made a career out of dressing big personalities in kinetic, sparkling garb. When he joined us last year, his life and career were profiled in the documentary Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion. The fil... more

Did you know that folks that support Bullseye directly get access to a monthly bonus podcast? Put You On is the show where Jesse and a guest answer recommendation questions from our audience members on just about anything: movies, albums, ways to coo... more

This week, our guest is David Letterman. The one and only. The legend of late night television talks about the Late Show, about his triumphs and failures, and his TV show: My Next Guest Needs No Introduction on Netflix. A version of this interview or... more

I Wish I Made That is a segment where we invite some of our favorite creative folks to dive deep into a piece of culture. We are joined by Eric Appel. He directed the biopic spoof Weird: The Al Yankovic Story from a few years ago. The thing he wished... 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

Eric Appel
Writer and director known for Weird, The Al Yankovic Story and The Breadwinner
Filmmaker
Episode: I Wish I Made That: Eric Appel, director of 'The Breadwinner'
Walter Thompson-Hernández
Writer and filmmaker
Freelance, former NYT journalist
Episode: Walter Thompson-Hernández on his new film 'If I Go Will They Miss Me'
Elvis Costello
Singer-songwriter and author
Episode: Elvis Costello
Dolly Parton
A legendary singer-songwriter and philanthropist
Dolly Parton
Episode: Remembering Dolly Parton
Alysa Nahmias
Documentary filmmaker
Director of Cookie Queens
Episode: 'Cookie Queens' documentary filmmaker Alysa Nahmias
Steve Holmes
Musician, guitarist and member of American Football
American Football / Polyvinyl Records
Episode: American Football
Mike Kinsella
Musician, member of American Football
American Football / Polyvinyl Records
Episode: American Football
Geena Davis
Actor and founder of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
Episode: Geena Davis
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'

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 Statesa year 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.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#209
Brazil/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Walter Thompson-Hernández on his new film 'If I Go Will They Miss Me'
Q: How did your experience at The New York Times influence your film work?
Covering LA for the Times exposed me to non-trope storytelling, leading me to pursue more nuanced, locally grounded narratives that reflect real communities in Los Angeles.
Walter Thompson-Hernández on his new film 'If I Go Will They Miss Me'
Q: You mentioned wanting viewers to feel something more than a linear plot. How does that shape your filmmaking approach?
I prioritize emotions, texture, and questions over strict narrative progression, drawing on my documentary background to create honesty and resonance rather than conventional exposition.
Walter Thompson-Hernández on his new film 'If I Go Will They Miss Me'
Q: What did it mean to give Big Ant this story about taking care of horses?
It represented a way to honor quiet, intimate moments that reveal the softness behind hardened exterior characters, using the horse relationship as a path to vulnerability and responsibility within the family.
I Wish I Made That: Eric Appel, director of 'The Breadwinner'
Q: What movie did you wish you'd made?
Eric Appel answers that he wishes he had made Pee-wee's Big Adventure, explaining how the film's joyful, emotional core and adventurous spirit resonated with him from a young age.
'Cookie Queens' documentary filmmaker Alysa Nahmias
Q: What were the ethical considerations around filming children and keeping consent ongoing?
Consent was ongoing and deeply central; I spoke with families about the film being one perspective of their lives, and I committed to remaining flexible and supportive if anyone wanted to revisit how things were depicted.

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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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. Fresh Air
5. WTF with Marc Maron Podcast

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.

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What guests have appeared on Bullseye?

Recent guests on Bullseye include:

1. Eric Appel
2. Walter Thompson-Hernández
3. Elvis Costello
4. Dolly Parton
5. Alysa Nahmias
6. Steve Holmes
7. Mike Kinsella
8. Geena Davis

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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