NPR: Bullseye with Jesse Thorn
By MaximumFun.org
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Description
Bullseye is your curated guide to culture. Jesse Thorn hosts in-depth interviews with brilliant creators, culture picks from The AV Club and irreverent original comedy. 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." (Formerly known as The Sound of Young America.)
| Name | Description | Released | Price | ||
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1 |
Kumail Nanjiani & Willie Colón | [r] Jesse Thorn talks to stand-up comedian, Kumail Nanjiani about moving to the US from Pakistan and working on HBO’s Silicon Valley. Later he explores salsa with the influential Nuyorican bandleader Willie Colón and argues that Michael... | 4/28/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2 |
Paul Feig & Combat Jack | Jesse Thorn sits down with writer and director Paul Feig. Feig discusses his new TV show Other Space and explains why he was drawn to reboot Ghostbusters with an all-female squad. Jesse also talks to Reggie Osse, AKA Combat Jack. For years, Osse... | 4/21/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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3 |
Jon Ronson | Jesse Thorn sits down with Jon Ronson to talk about social media shaming and whether it can be a force for good. Plus Peter Guralnick shares the blues album that electrified him as a teenager and Jesse talks about a show where an awful date is literally t | 4/14/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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4 |
Tom Scharpling & Andy Summers | Jesse Thorn talks with Tom Scharpling about taking his cult comedy radio show, The Best Show, from its home on the airwaves, to a new home on the internet. Then later we speak to the guitarist from The Police, Andy Summers. Plus, new comedy from Sara... | 4/7/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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5 |
George Clinton & Christian Acker | [r] Jesse Thorn talks to George Clinton, the 73-year-old mastermind of P-Funk. Clinton paid his dues in the mainstream - singing doo wop and writing for Motown. Then, with Parliament Funkadelic he developed a look and a sound that was like nothing... | 3/31/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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6 |
Lynda Barry & Tom Arnold | Jesse Thorn sits down with writer and cartoonist, Lynda Barry and the veteran comic and actor Tom Arnold. | 3/24/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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7 |
Patton Oswalt, 'Fresh Off the Boat' & Jemaine Clement | Jesse Thorn talks to Patton Oswalt about the years he spent basically completely indoors. Later, he sits down with Randall Park and Nahnatchka Khan, the star and showrunner, respectively, of the new sitcom Fresh Off the Boat. Plus, Jemaine Clement... | 3/17/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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8 |
RuPaul & Terry Crews | Jesse Thorn talks to RuPaul and Terry Crews. Plus, Carolyn Kellogg shares book recommendations, the McElroy Brothers advise on arcade etiquette and Jesse names the greatest hip-hop album ever recorded. | 3/10/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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9 |
Nick Hornby & Luis Guzmán | Author and screenwriter Nick Hornby made his name with books like High Fidelity and About A Boy. His new novel, Funny Girl is about a British actress starring in a 1960s sitcom. Hornby talks with Jesse about old TV comedy, personal ambition and... | 3/3/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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10 |
ExplicitBONUS EPISODE: Pop Rocket | A sample episode of our new sister podcast, Pop Rocket | 2/26/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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11 |
The Pointer Sisters | [r] R&B stars Ruth and Anita Pointer will talk about the records that inspired them and the country song that earned them a Grammy, but mostly, they’ll have a lot of fun remembering all the great hits they had. We're so excited! 'Frozen'... | 2/24/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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12 |
Spike Lee & the Creators of 'High Maintenance' | Jesse talks to acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee. Spike tells us about his new movie, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, how he really feels about Larry Bird and about his own very serious addiction.... to Air Jordans. Later Jesse sits down with Katja Blichfeld and... | 2/17/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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13 |
Rene Russo & Dan Gilroy of 'Nightcrawler' | Writer/director Dan Gilroy and star Rene Russo of 'Nightcrawler' talk about exploring the seedy business of TV news, collaborating as a married couple, and working with Jake Gyllenhaal. Nightcrawler is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Screenplay. | 2/10/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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14 |
John Oliver & Larry Wilmore | [r] Two late night hosts and Daily Show alums! Jesse talks to John Oliver about why it’s sometimes weird to make jokes about American politics when you’re a Brit and then with the new Nightly Show host Larry Wilmore about how being a Daily... | 2/3/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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15 |
CleanKaitlin Olson & Jeff Chang | Kaitlin Olson, Jeff Chang and why Andre the Giant was a real-life superhero. | 1/27/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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16 |
Ricky Jay | This week’s guest is the sleight-of-hand master Ricky Jay. He was one of the first guys performing magic at comedy and rock clubs in the 60s and is now one of the most renowned illusionists in the world. Jay is the subject of a new documentary.... | 1/20/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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17 |
‘Boyhood’ & the career of Richard Pryor | Richard Linklater and Ellar Coltrane talk to Jesse about the unique process of filming Boyhood over the course of 12 years. | 1/13/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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18 |
H. Jon Benjamin and Jessica Walter | [r] Archer is back! To celebrate, we share Jesse’s interviews with voice actors Jessica Walter and H. Jon Benjamin. Walter shares a cold hard truth about Flipper. H. Jon Benjamin talks about his days recording Dr. Katz in a kitchen pantry.... | 1/6/2015 | Free | View In iTunes |
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19 |
Best Comedy of 2014 Special | Get ready for the funniest episode of Bullseye this year. We present selections from the best comedy albums of 2014. This special episode of the program includes chunks from Bob Odenkirk, Cameron Esposito, Patton Oswalt, Jim Gaffigan, Hannibal Buress,... | 12/30/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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20 |
Nick Offerman and Dolly Parton | [r] Nick Offerman plays Ron Swanson on Parks & Recreation. Swanson is one of the most beloved characters on TV… known for his love of meat, his hatred of big government, and his healthy mustache. Then, Jesse interviews Dolly Parton about... | 12/23/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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21 |
Holiday Special 2014 | The Bullseye Holiday Special returns for 2014! Music expert Mitchell Kezin talks about his new documentary called Jingle Bell Rocks! It dives into the world of alternative and underground Christmas music. Bill Corbett (the veteran writer and performer... | 12/16/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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22 |
Chris Rock and John Cleese | Two comedy giants this week. First, Jesse talks to Chris Rock about what it was like to become one of the world’s best stand-up comics in the 1990s. Rock’s got a new movie out. It’s called Top Five. Then, Jesse sits down with Monty... | 12/9/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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23 |
Bob Odenkirk | Jesse sits down with a cult comedy icon to talk about why Mr. Show influenced an entire generation of new comedians. Bob Odenkirk’s new book of humor fiction is called A Load of Hooey. He’s also got a new stand-up comedy album out.... | 12/2/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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24 |
Mavis Staples | [r] Mavis Staples is one of the greatest singers of our time -- a gospel, soul, and R&B vocalist known for her deep, rich voice. She began as the lead singer of The Staple Singers, a family gospel group formed by Pops Staples and several of his... | 11/25/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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25 |
Paul Reubens, Aasif Mandvi and Kimbra | Paul Reubens created Pee-wee Herman. Jesse sits down with Reubens to talk about growing up in a circus town, Reubens’ early appearances on The Gong Show, and the plans for a new Pee-wee Herman movie. Jesse also talks with Aasif Mandvi. A... | 11/18/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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26 |
Judge John Hodgman Special | We break format this week to bring you the Judge John Hodgman Special. Maybe you know John Hodgman from his appearances on The Daily Show, or as the PC from the Mac vs. PC ads. But did you know he's also a fake judge on the internet? On his... | 11/11/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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27 |
Sergio Mendes and The Pogues’ James Fearnley | For a time, Mendes was probably the most famous Brazilian musician in the world. Mendes will talk to Jesse about why bossa nova has such a universal appeal. Jesse will also talk to James Fearnley. He plays accordion for The Pogues. Fearnley will talk... | 11/4/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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28 |
Elvis Mitchell and Bob Edwards | [r] Hear interviews with two of the best interviewers in the world. First up is Elvis Mitchell. He hosts KCRW’s The Treatment. He and Jesse will talk about their mutual love for the movie Pootie Tang. He’ll also explain why he was... | 10/28/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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29 |
Live with Dan Harmon and Rob Corddry | This episode was taped live in the Masonic Lodge at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Dan Harmon joins talks about why he was fired and then re-hired from his sitcom Community, and reveals what might be in store for the future of the show. Actor Rob... | 10/21/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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30 |
DJ Quik | DJ Quik was a house producer for Death Row Records and helped develop the G-funk sound. A lot of times those records were dramatic narratives about gangbanging. He’ll talk about how that drama spilled into real-life and about how he had to... | 10/14/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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31 |
tUnE-yArDs’ Merrill Garbus and John Darnielle | Merrill Garbus layers vocals with drum loops and ukulele as the creator of tUnE yArDs. She’ll talk about why she turned away from classical music as a kid, and you’ll hear some songs from her new album. It’s called Nikki Nack. Then... | 10/7/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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32 |
Ed Helms, Tig Notaro and Nick Frost | Ed Helms talks about the advice he received from Stephen Colbert when he first started on The Daily Show. He also talks about why he’s behind a new bluegrass festival in Los Angeles. Now, he’s behind a Los Angeles bluegrass festival. But... | 9/30/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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33 |
Anna Faris and Otis Brown III | Anna Faris’ break may have come with Scary Movie, but she’s had a long career since then. She’ll talk to Jesse about her roles on The House Bunny and her current starring role on the CBS sitcom Mom. Later, Jesse talks to the... | 9/23/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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34 |
Maria Bamford and George Saunders | [r] 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... | 9/16/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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35 |
Todd Glass and Raffi | Todd Glass has been a comic for 30 years but he’s only been out of the closet for about two. He’ll talk to Jesse about why he waited until his late 40s to come out. Todd Glass has a new book out -- it’s called The Todd Glass... | 9/9/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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36 |
Chuck Klosterman | Chuck Klosterman’s newest collection of essays is called I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Villains. What does it mean to be a modern villain? Why is society so hung up on anti-heroes? For that matter, how would we react if Batman were a real... | 9/2/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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37 |
George Takei and Damian Abraham | George Takei will talk about how he went from a prisoner at a Japanese-American internment camp, to the guy playing Sulu on Star Trek, to a leading marriage equality activist. Then Jesse will talk to Damian Abraham. He’s in the band F***ed Up.... | 8/26/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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38 |
Dum Dum Girls’ Dee Dee Penny, Jodorowsky's Dune & Matt Fraction | In the mid-70s Alejandro Jodorowsky attempted to bring Frank Herbert's classic science fiction novel to the screen. The ambitious space opera would have pre-dated Star Wars, but Jodorowsky's version of Dune was never filmed. The documentary’s... | 8/19/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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39 |
Ishmael Butler, Allison Janney, Michel Gondry | Ishmael Butler talks to Jesse about the birth and death of Digable Planets and the new record from Shabazz Palaces. Then Allison Janney talks about her Emmy-nominated work on Masters of Sex and Mom. Plus, Michel Gondry talks about the song that... | 8/12/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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40 |
Elizabeth Gilbert and Daryl Hall | [r] Elizabeth Gilbert’s latest novel is called The Signature of All Things. It traces the life of a woman living in the 19th century as a botanist. But it’s actually a really fun adventure story. She’ll talk about it, and about the... | 8/5/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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41 |
Lewis Black, Syl Johnson & Annie Hart | [r] Hear Jesse’s interview with one of comedy’s greatest grumps: Lewis Black. He didn’t become a stand-up until his mid-thirties. Find out why he left the theater for comedy and why he actually considers himself a family comic. The... | 7/29/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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42 |
Hari Kondabolu & Jake Kasdan | Hari Kondabolu talks about the distinct advantages and disadvantages of being a stand up comedian who's also a former social activist and organizer. Director Jake Kasdan talks about the strategy involved in making a movie called Sex Tape. Carolyn... | 7/22/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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43 |
Nat Faxon, Mimi Pond & Werner Herzog | Nat Faxon talks about going from bit parts to starring roles, and what it was like to meet George Clooney. Mimi Pond talks about the sex, drugs and profanity she encountered while working at a diner in the 1970s. She put together a graphic novel about... | 7/15/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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44 |
Fred Willard & Vocoders with Dave Tompkins | [r] Fred Willard talks to Jesse about why he plays a cocky buffoon all the time, and why he turned down the lead in Airplane! Dave Tompkins talks about how the vocoder went from a military encryption tool to a musical instrument. Eleni Mandell reveals... | 7/8/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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45 |
Melissa McCarthy & Ben Falcone and The Sklar Brothers | Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone are both creative and romantic partners. They’ll talk about their most recent collaboration, the new movie Tammy. Then Jesse will talk to another family that’s working together: The Sklar Brothers.Randy and... | 7/1/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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46 |
Puppeteer Caroll Spinney, filmmaker Dave LaMattina and comedian Ian Edwards | Jesse talks to the man inside the Big Bird suit. Caroll Spinney has been Big Bird since the beginning in 1969. He’s actually Oscar the Grouch, too. Spinney will talk about why he’s stayed connected to the world of Sesame Street for so... | 6/24/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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47 |
Carl Wilson, Max Greenfield and Moby | Max Greenfield plays Schmidt on the FOX sitcom New Girl. He'll talk about why it’s the role he was really meant to play. But first, Jesse talks to the music critic Carl Wilson. He wrote a book about a Celine Dion album, but more than that the... | 6/17/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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48 |
Nick Thune & Vince Staples | Jesse talks with the comedian Nick Thune. For a long time he didn’t talk much about his personal life on stage. That's been changing recently. They’ll talk about that and his new special Folk Hero. Then Jesse talks to the rapper Vince... | 6/10/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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49 |
Luis Guzman | [r] Maybe you’ve seen Luis Guzman in more movies than anyone else, or maybe it just seems that way. On this episode, Guzman talks about his journey from New York social worker to prolific Hollywood character actor who lives in Vermont. Then... | 6/3/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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50 |
Jenny Slate, star of 'Obvious Child' | Jenny Slate had a rough first night on Saturday Night Live, but she hasn’t been sweating it since. Things have worked out pretty well. Marcel the Shell has millions of views on YouTube, and she’s even got the lead in a new upcoming movie... | 5/27/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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51 |
John Oliver & Arsenio Hall | Two late night hosts! Jesse talks to John Oliver about why it's sometimes weird to make jokes about American politics when you're a Brit, and how he got used to living in New York. Then Jesse sits down with one of the most iconic late night hosts... | 5/20/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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52 |
Judy Greer & Richard Ayoade | The reason you might not be able to place Judy Greer is because she never really plays the lead. She's come to terms with that, and she's had supporting roles in a slew of great stuff. Jesse will ask her about 'Arrested Development', 'Archer', and her... | 5/13/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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53 |
George R.R. Martin & E from Eels | [r] The author of A Song of Ice and Fire series sits down with John Hodgman for a conversation about Martin's comic book inspirations, his relationship with his fans, and why he likes to kill off so many of his characters. Then later Jesse talks to... | 5/6/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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54 |
Jim Rash, Bob Saget & the creators of 'Playing House' | Jesse will talk to Jessica St. Clair and Lennon Parham about how their USA show 'Playing House' came together. We'll also hear from Bob Saget. You know him. 'Full House'. But he'll tell you himself: Danny Tanner is actually the role that changed... | 4/29/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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55 |
Bootsy Collins | [r] As a member of James Brown's band, The J.B.'s, Bootsy helped create the revolution that was funk. Later, Bootsy joined forces with a very different kind of funk legend: George Clinton. In an extended interview, Jesse will talk to Bootsy... | 4/22/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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56 |
Steve Coogan & Kevin Kerrane | Steve Coogan’s resume is long and varied, but Alan Partridge has been a constant. Coogan talks about how the character has taken on a life of its own over the past twenty years. Kevin Kerrane talks with Jesse about his classic baseball scouting... | 4/15/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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57 |
Jason Schwartzman & Russell Simmons | It's been awhile since 'Rushmore', but Jason Schwartzman will always remember the advice that Bill Murray gave him on-set. Jesse and Jason will talk about the first time he met Wes Anderson, what it was like to help write 'The Darjeeling Limited' and... | 4/8/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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58 |
Rick Moranis & Mary Roach | [r] Rick Moranis was a movie star. Strange Brew; Ghostbusters; Spaceballs; Honey, I Shrunk the Kids... and then, he quit. Find out why he doesn't regret leaving show business to raise his children. Then later, Jesse talks to Mary Roach. Her book... | 4/1/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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59 |
RuPaul & Terry Crews | Check out Jesse's conversation with the most famous drag queen in the world. RuPaul will talk about being inspired by Bugs Bunny and Monty Python, and about his time in Atlanta's underground music scene. Then Terry Crews of Brooklyn Nine-Nine will... | 3/25/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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60 |
John C. Reilly & Kristen Bell | John C. Reilly is a guy with tremendous range. More than almost anyone. Reilly stars in a bizarre show called Check it Out! with Dr. Steve Brule. Why does a movie star have a faux cable-access show that runs in the middle of the night on adult swim?... | 3/18/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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61 |
ExplicitGeorge Clinton & Christian Acker | George Clinton is the 72-year-old master of funk. He paid his dues in the mainstream -- singing doo wop and writing for Motown. Then, with Parliament-Funkadelic he developed a look and a sound that was like nothing else before it. Later Christian... | 3/11/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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62 |
Neil deGrasse Tyson & Lily Tomlin | [r] Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson chases the unexplored secrets of the universe and then tells Jesse why he shouldn't be scared of space. He's the host of the new version of Carl Sagan's Cosmos. Then, Jesse talks with actor and comedian Lily... | 3/4/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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63 |
Andy Daly and Willie Colon | Andy Daly is a very pleasant looking guy, in a sort of all-American, unthreatening way. He’ll talk to Jesse about how he used that image to surprise people on his new TV show. Later, Jesse talks to the influential bandleader Willie Colon about... | 2/25/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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64 |
The Pointer Sisters | R&B stars Ruth and Anita Pointer will talk about the records that inspired them and the country song that earned them a Grammy, but mostly, they’ll have a lot of fun remembering all the great hits they had. The composer Bobby Lopez will talk... | 2/18/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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65 |
Charlie Wilson from The Gap Band | [r] Charlie Wilson made hits in the 80s as the frontman of The Gap Band. In the 90s, he was homeless on the streets of LA. Then he turned it all around. In this extended interview, Jesse talks with Charlie Wilson about his astonishing career with The... | 2/11/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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66 |
The Creators of ‘Trophy Wife’ and ‘Achewood’ | Sarah Haskins and Emily Halpern’s sitcom Trophy Wife is wrapping up its first season on ABC. They’ll talk about the real life events that inspired the show. Chris Onstad, creator of the online comic Achewood, will talk about why he... | 2/4/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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67 |
Jean Grae & Mike Royce and Kevin Biegel of ‘Enlisted’ | The rapper Jean Grae is Jesse’s first guest this week. She’s been working her tail off this past year. She’s got a new LP, a new EP, a new audiobook and a new web series. Later in the show Jesse will talk to Mike Royce and Kevin... | 1/28/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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68 |
Jessica Walter & Nicholas Dawidoff | Lately, Jessica Walter is known for playing the icy mother figure. After all, she was Lucille Bluth on Arrested Development and is the voice of Mallory Archer on the animated series Archer. But her career stretches back more than 50 years with roles... | 1/21/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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69 |
Pharoahe Monch & Huey Lewis | [r] Take a listen to Jesse’s interview with the terrific Pharoahe Monch. He was one half of Organized Konfusion. Even though they didn’t sell a ton of records, they were one of the most impactful hip hop duos of the 90s. Jesse asks how... | 1/14/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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70 |
Bubba Sparxxx and Ian MacKaye | First up, Jesse’s conversation with the rapper Bubba Sparxxx. He grew up in rural Georgia and describes himself as a ‘country white boy’. His dad thought a rap career was preposterous. Bubba did it though. Jesse and Bubba talk about... | 1/7/2014 | Free | View In iTunes |
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71 |
Best Comedy of 2013 Special | Take pity on our poor intern Brian. We sat him down in front of a computer with a stack of comedy CDs as high as an elephant’s eye. He sifted through hours of hilarious stand-up specials and narrowed them down to the very best. Now we’re... | 12/31/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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72 |
Mel Brooks & Aimee Mann | [r] It’s hard to imagine what American comedy would look like without Mel Brooks. Jesse talks to Brooks about about fighting in World War II (where he managed to even make a few Germans laugh), working with Gene Wilder, and that time Sid Caesar... | 12/24/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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73 |
2013 Holiday Special | [r] This holiday season, listen back to Jesse’s interview with Ronnie Spector. As the lead singer of the Ronettes, she recorded some of the most iconic Christmas music ever made. Then later, hear Jesse’s interview with Fred Schneider. You... | 12/17/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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74 |
Jack Black and Bun B | Jack Black will talk to guest host Susan Orlean about which came first, the acting or the music. He'll also talk about why he'd like to work with David Lynch and why he almost didn't take the part in High Fidelity. Then, we’ll revisit... | 12/10/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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75 |
Henry Bushkin Talks Johnny Carson | Who WAS Johnny Carson? Guest host Mike Pesca will talk to Henry Bushkin about just that. He was Carson’s longtime lawyer and fixer. Carson even once called Bushkin his best friend. And Johnny didn’t make friends easily. Then later, we... | 12/3/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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76 |
Big Boi and Catherine O'Hara | [r] 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... | 11/26/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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77 |
Brett Gurewitz and Jimmy Pardo | Guest host Jordan Morris is back to talk with Brett Gurewitz. Not only is he a founding member of Bad Religion, he also owns the juggernaut independent punk label Epitaph Records. Jordan asks Brett about his career with Bad Religion and the... | 11/19/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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78 |
Tom Bissell and Greg Sestero Talk About "The Room" | Guest host Jordan Morris sits down with actor Greg Sestero and journalist Tom Bissell. In 2003, Greg co-starred in a movie called “The Room”. Its stilted dialogue, weird plot points and bizarre aesthetics turned the movie into a cult hit.... | 11/12/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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79 |
Bill Hader, June Diane Raphael and The Internet | Take a listen to our show taped live at KPCC’s Crawford Family Forum! Bill Hader reveals some of his favorite characters that never made it onto SNL, talks about what it felt like to say goodbye to Stefon, and then storms out of the room... | 11/5/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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80 |
Elizabeth Gilbert, Gillian Jacobs and Fred Armisen | Elizabeth Gilbert’s new novel traces the life of a woman living in the 19th century as a botanist. Jesse will ask Elizabeth about what the reaction to ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ has meant to her -- both the good and the not-so-good. Then... | 10/29/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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81 |
Bill Withers | [r] Tune in for a rare interview with the soul legend Bill Withers. He retired from the music industry in the mid 1980s and, with a few exceptions, has stayed out of the public eye for more than 20 years. He and Jesse will talk about why he enlisted... | 10/22/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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82 |
Nick Offerman and The Birthday Boys | Nick Offerman plays Ron Swanson on Parks & Recreation. Swanson is one of the most beloved characters on TV… known for his love of meat, his hatred of big government, and his healthy mustache. Jesse also talks to a few of the members from... | 10/15/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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83 |
Nicole Holofcener, Jane Espenson, Brad Bell | Nicole Holofcener has written and directed five films. The fifth, her newest is called ‘Enough Said’. It's a sweet and sharp movie starring Julia Louis Dreyfus and the late James Gandolfini. The movie looks at a bunch of life-stuff -- the... | 10/8/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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84 |
Junot Diaz and Carrie Fisher | Junot Diaz has a book of short stories out now in paperback. It’s called ‘This Is How You Lose Her.’ Junot’s book is new, but the protagonist Yunior isn’t. This is the third time the Pulitzer Prize-winning author has... | 10/1/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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85 |
Stephen Merchant, Co-creator of The Office | Stephen Merchant says he didn’t get into comedy to become popular. He did it mostly to please himself. But then, with his buddy Ricky Gervais, he made a TV show called ‘The Office’ and it changed both of their lives. Jesse and... | 9/24/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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86 |
Actor Stephen Tobolowsky | [r] Stephen Tobolowsky is a veteran character actor. Now he's an author, too, but his book isn't about Hollywood stuff. It's about normal stuff from his life like getting held up at the grocery store, or spending Christmas tripping on acid. Plus,... | 9/17/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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87 |
The Influence Of Bob And Ray With David Pollock | From Bob Newhart to George Carlin, the comedy duo Bob & Ray influenced some of the 20th century’s finest entertainers. Jesse will talk with comedy writer David Pollock about how Bob Elliot and Ray Goulding created that bond with their... | 9/9/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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88 |
Jon Mooallem & Elmore Leonard | When it comes to sharing the planet with other animals, you might think that we humans are just screwing it all up. Ruining everything. Hogging all the resources. But what if it’s a little more complicated than that? What do the stories we tell... | 9/3/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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89 |
Prodigy of Mobb Deep | [r] First, an interview with the rapper and author Prodigy, one-half of the seminal hardcore hip hop duo Mobb Deep. He'll talk about why his naturally shy demeanor was taken for weakness, selling crack cocaine when he was barely in middle school, and... | 8/27/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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90 |
Lewis Black & Nikki Glaser and Sara Schaefer | Hear Jesse’s interview with one of comedy’s greatest grumps: Lewis Black. He didn’t become a stand-up until his mid-thirties. Find out why he left the theater for comedy and why he actually considers himself a family comic. The... | 8/20/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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91 |
Kumail Nanjiani & Lake Bell | First up on the show is an interview with Kumail Nanjiani. He has come a long way since we had him do stand up on our show a few years ago. He just put out his first comedy special, Beta Male. He just got a role in Mike Judge’s new HBO show.... | 8/13/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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92 |
Fred Willard & David Gordon Green | If a director is looking for the perfect guy to play an oblivious, cocky buffoon then Fred Willard is their man. Jesse talks to Fred about his entire career, and finds out why he turned down the lead in the movie Airplane! Then later Jesse talks to... | 8/6/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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93 |
Writer Fran Lebowitz | [r] A conversation with the New York cultural authority Fran Lebowitz. Find out why she was expelled from high school, why she waltzed into a publishing office barefoot to submit her first manuscript, and why she's had writers block for more than... | 7/30/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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94 |
Comedy group Kasper Hauser & David Rakoff | A lawyer, a writer, a psychiatrist, and a theater professor got together to write a humor book about earning your MBA on the toilet. The group is called Kasper Hauser. Rob Baedeker and James Reichmuth talk about how they balance comedy with full-time... | 7/23/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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95 |
Rick Moranis and Booker T. Jones | Rick Moranis was a movie star. Strange Brew, Ghostbusters, Spaceballs, Honey I Shrunk the Kids. And then he quit. We'll talk about why he doesn't regret leaving show business to raise his children. And find out why he's returning to the public eye... | 7/16/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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96 |
Nathan Rabin and Benjamin Nugent, author of American Nerd | You'd be hard pressed to find two music groups with more divergent sounds than the jam band Phish and the horrorcore rap duo Insane Clown Posse. But they've got something in common. Each of them has a deeply passionate following, and each of them has... | 7/9/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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97 |
The Directors of "Doin' It In The Park" and Mary Roach | Delve into the culture of pickup basketball this week, and find out why each of the hundreds of courts in New York City is a unique experience. Jesse will talk with Bobbito Garcia and his co-director Kevin Couliau about their new documentary... | 7/2/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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98 |
Lemmy and Jackson Publick | [r] Who is Lemmy? Well he’s the singer for Motörhead and he’s revered by metal fans around the globe. Jesse talked to Lemmy in person a couple of years ago at SxSW and you’ll hear that amazing conversation later in the show. But... | 6/25/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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99 |
Paul Feig and Ophira Eisenberg | Director Paul Feig talks about being a child magician, an actor and stand-up, and what finally drove him behind the camera to direct film and television. Plus, he’ll talk about his new movie The Heat, his last movie Bridesmaids, and why he likes... | 6/18/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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100 |
Charlie Wilson from The Gap Band | Charlie Wilson made hits in the 80s as the frontman of the Gap Band. In the 90s he was homeless on the streets of LA. Then, he turned it all around. Jesse talks with Charlie Wilson about his astonishing career with The Gap Band and his later... | 6/11/2013 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Customer Reviews
A fascinating show... and very funny.
I wish there were more shows like this on public radio. It's like Fresh Air, if Fresh Air was into the stuff I'm into... the theme song is called Maximum Fun, and that's what I usually get out of it. Definately my favorite podcast, I'm surprised it isn't on more radio stations. I love the comedian interviews, but I find that I'm always finding out about someone really cool from this show. This is a must-subscribe, as far as I'm concerned.
The Best Hour in Podcasting
My hands-down favorite podcast. Try any of the "comics and comix" series. The interviews can be a bit long sometimes, but they are always interesting and funny.
Excellent.
If you like cool people and things, this show is for you. Jesse books great guests and he does a good job keeping his interviews interesting. The music and comedy bits he plays between interviews are the best bits that you probably haven't heard. Subscribe.