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Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

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

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

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 writer Kurt Andersen. IAnderson is a longtime writer and editor, as well as co-founder the magazine Spy and for... more

Isaiah Rashad, our guest, dropped his third album this past Spring. The record is called It’s Been Awful, and doesn’t take long into listening to it to tell that despite the obstacles life has dealt him – Isaiah’s thriving and maybe making his best w... more

Did you know that folks that support Bullseye directly get access to a bonus podcast? Put You On is the show where Jesse and a guest answer recommendation questions from our audience members on just about anything: books, movies, cooking! We've had p... more

Sean Clements is a writer for the big and small screen. His latest project is a feature film called The Dink. It's a movie about pickleball starring Mary Steenburgen and Jake Johnson. The movie was inspired by some of Sean's experiences with the spor... 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

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
Guy Branum
Comedian, writer for Hacks, author, solo show Be Fruitful
Be Fruitful tour, Hacks
Episode: Guy Branum - Live at The Lyric Hyperion
Alex Horne
Creator and co-host of Taskmaster
Taskmaster (UK show)
Episode: Taskmaster’s Alex Horne and Greg Davies
Greg Davies
Host and Taskmaster on Taskmaster
Taskmaster (UK show)
Episode: Taskmaster’s Alex Horne and Greg Davies
Barney Frank
Former U.S. Representative, Massachusetts
U.S. Congress / Massachusetts
Episode: Remembering Barney Frank
Michael Sarnoski
Writer and director
Director of The Death of Robin Hood (Pig, A Quiet Place Day One)
Episode: "The Death of Robin Hood" director Michael Sarnoski

Host

Jesse Thorn
Host of Bullseye, lead interviewer exploring arts and culture with a deep, thoughtful approach.

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 Statesa month ago
  • Music Saved my Life

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emariej2918
    United States5 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 States9 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 States10 months 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.

Thoughtful, respectful conversations with amazing guests and insightful questions.
Consistently high-quality interviews across a wide range of culture topics.
Jesse Thorn is a standout interviewer who makes guests engaging.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#180
Mexico/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

David Wain
Q: How did you get John Hamm and John Slattery involved in Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass?
We called Hamm and Slattery after producers showed interest; Hamm read the script and agreed there was a part for him, while Slattery quickly connected with the material. The process was collaborative and led to deeper development around their versions of the characters.
Rapper Jeezy
Q: When did you first realize music could be your path beyond the streets?
He describes discovering music's purpose during early experiences with turntables and Tupac, and how those moments provided a sense of meaning and direction that contrasted with street life.
"The Death of Robin Hood" director Michael Sarnoski
Q: What was it like directing with such a legendary actor as Nick (Hugh Jackman)?
Nick approached the role with extraordinary professionalism, preparation, and a sensitivity to the camera and lighting that helped shape the performance and inspired the entire crew to approach their work with similar focus and care.
"The Death of Robin Hood" director Michael Sarnoski
Q: Michael, where did the idea for this version of Robin Hood come from?
The concept grew from a mix of childhood impressions of the Disney version, a love of deeper stories about consequences, and a long-standing fascination with the idea that even heroes have a price and a legacy to reckon with.
Judy Chicago
Q: How did you approach The Dinner Party in terms of collaboration and acknowledging contributors?
I deliberately named the individual needleworkers and collaborators and emphasized giving space to every voice, resisting the idea of credit being given only to a single author.

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?

A thoughtful interview show that centers arts, culture, and public storytelling, featuring conversations with musicians, actors, comedians, activists, and other creatives. Across episodes, the host probes career trajectories, creative processes, and the human sides of fame, technology, and collaboration, often weaving in personal anecdotes, industry context, and behind-the-scenes reflections. The program frequently surfaces deep dives into craft, mentorship, and the evolving landscape of culture, making it a strong fit for listeners who enjoy nuanced, idea-led conversations with influential figures from music, film, theater, and activism. Its approachable, curious tone and willingness to tackle both artistic and social issues set it apart a... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Bullseye?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Bullseye:

1. Jordan, Jesse, GO!
2. Judge John Hodgman
3. E Pluribus Motto
4. Good One
5. Mike Birbiglia's Working It Out

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?

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What guests have appeared on Bullseye?

Recent guests on Bullseye include:

1. Meshell Ndegeocello
2. Kate Berlant
3. John Early
4. Judy Chicago
5. Guy Branum
6. Alex Horne
7. Greg Davies
8. Barney Frank

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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