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Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

NPR
Comedy
Stand-Up Comedy
Norman Lear
Dashing Through the Snow
All In the Family
Bob Mortimer
Vic Reeves
The Clementine Complex
Mortimer and Whitehouse Gone Fishing
Law
London
NPR
Sanford and Son
The Jeffersons
Killing It
Nancy
The Nightmare Before Christmas
People For the American Way
Maude
Paul Dooley

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

Noé Montes is a photographer based in Los Angeles. His work is currently on display at the Riverside Art Museum in a breathtaking exhibit called Noe Montes: Regional History. Montes' work often documents migrant farmworker communities like the one i... more

Raphael Saadiq returns to Bullseye to talk about writing one of the biggest movie songs of the year for Sinners. He also chats with us about playing bass guitar as a teen in church bands, the origins of Tony! Toni! Toné!, and the final tour he got to... more

We’re revisiting our 2022 interview with jazz legend Ron Carter. These days, the man is 88 and is unstoppable. He recently joined forces with gospel icon Ricky Dillard on a new record titled Sweet, Sweet Spirit. When he was last on the show, he told ... more

We’re taking a moment to remember actress and comedian, Catherine O’Hara, who died on January 30, 2026. She was 71 years old. Catherine O’Hara is a comedy legend. She helped launch SCTV. She starred in blockbuster comedies. For all of its six seasons... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Noé Montes
Photographer known for his work highlighting farm worker communities
Episode: Photographer Noé Montes
Joe Cappa
Creator of the animated series Haha, You Clowns
Adult Swim
Episode: Joe Cappa, creator of "Haha, You Clowns"
Shonda Rhimes
Television writer, director, producer, and creator of hit shows like Grey's Anatomy and Bridgerton
Shondaland
Episode: Shonda Rhimes
Elliot Kalan
Comedian and writer, former head writer of The Daily Show and Mystery Science Theater 3000
Episode: The secret to writing great jokes, from Daily Show alum Elliott Kalan
Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Actor known for his roles in The Wire and Da 5 Bloods
Episode: Remembering Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Walton Goggins
Actor known for roles in Justified and The Hateful Eight
Fallout
Episode: Walton Goggins
Mary Roach
Science writer known for her engaging and humorous exploration of various scientific topics.
Episode: Mary Roach on 'Replaceable You: Adventures in Human Anatomy'
Regina Hall
Acclaimed actress known for roles in romantic comedies and horror franchises
Episode: Regina Hall
Sudan Archives
A singer, violinist, and songwriter known for her innovative musical style that blends genres and includes electronic elements.
Episode: Sudan Archives

Host

Jesse Thorn
Host of Bullseye, known for his thoughtful interviewing style and his ability to engage guests on deeper cultural insights.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 3.2k ratings
  • Full of himself

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

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mr Majestik
    United States4 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 States5 months ago
  • Good interview. Learned stuff. Inspired

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Listener4675
    6 months ago
  • Good pod. Great times. Listen if you dare.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Haribo Trundlebed
    8 months ago
  • Jesse is the best there is

    I don’t even know what to say about Jesse Thorn. He’s an American treasure. Just listen and then support his network.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Prozizzle
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed feelings about the host's style, with some praising his thoughtful approach while others find him overly self-assured.
Overall, many reviews highlight the variety of guests and topics as a significant strength, with the comedic elements enhancing the quality of discussions.
Listeners appreciate the depth of Jesse's interviews, frequently commenting on his ability to draw engaging stories and insights from his guests.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jazz legend Ron Carter
Q: What were the things that you had to get better at given that so much of your background was in playing in an orchestra?
In an orchestra, you play what they tell you to play. In a jazz band, after you play the basic format, you're kind of on your own to play what you think the next choices are.
Jazz legend Ron Carter
Q: When did you switch from cello to bass?
January 1955.
Jazz legend Ron Carter
Q: Do you think that a lot of classical musicians ultimately find their way in jazz?
No, I didn't feel like that. I was going to either do one or not do it.
Jazz legend Ron Carter
Q: Was it a relief when you started playing exclusively jazz?
No, not yet.
Jazz legend Ron Carter
Q: Can you give me an example of something that you've done in the last few years where you think you got a new level of understanding from being patient?
All of them.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bullseye

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

This podcast is centered around the exploration and celebration of arts and culture through engaging interviews with prominent figures from various artistic domains. The host draws from a rich background in public radio to create a platform where interesting personalities share insights into their craft, experiences, and the cultural narratives that shape contemporary society. The conversations often touch on themes such as creativity, career challenges, and the impact of personal experiences on professional journeys, making it appealing to those interested in both entertainment and the storytelling process behind artistic work. Unique to this show is its ability to blend humor and thoughtfulness, resulting in enjoyable yet profound discuss... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Bullseye?

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How many listeners does Bullseye get?

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How many subscribers and views does Bullseye have?

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. Fresh Air
3. The Three Questions with Andy Richter
4. Pop Culture Happy Hour
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?

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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Bullseye?

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. Noé Montes
2. Joe Cappa
3. Shonda Rhimes
4. Elliot Kalan
5. Isiah Whitlock Jr.
6. Walton Goggins
7. Mary Roach
8. Regina Hall

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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