Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

What do the films Men in Black, The Addams Family and Raising Arizona all have in common? They were all shot by cinematographer and director Barry Sonnenfeld. He's responsible for filming and directing some of the biggest movies from the 20th century. He joins us to talk about his new memoir and reflect on his many years in show business. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Sérgio Mendes died last month. He was 83 and had been dealing with long COVID for several months. His band Brasil '66 was at the forefront of a bossa nova explosion that introduced the genre to listeners across the world. When Mendes joined us nearly a decade ago, he talked about how his music evolved over the years and he got into the show at Carnegie Hall that changed music history forever. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Herb Alpert is most famous for the music he created with his band, Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass. His career as a musician and producer has spanned over six decades, breaking ground on artists like The Police and Janet Jackson. In the nine years since Herb was last on Bullseye, he's dropped nine more records. We revisit our conversation with the music legend in honor of the recent release of his 50th studio album, 50. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

André 3000 is one of the greatest rappers to ever grace a microphone. He is, of course, one half of the Grammy winning rap group Outkast. Between the years of 1995 and 2006, he and his partner Big Boi released some of the most iconic rap records of all time. Late last year André released an album called New Blue Sun. It's an ambient spiritual jazz record where André plays the flute. He just kicked off a Fall tour in support of the album. We are beyond thrilled to have André 3000 join us on the show to talk about his recent album. He also gets into where he currently stands on rapping. Plus, he shares with us what his time working in the fashion world was like. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Earlier this year, Casey Wilson and Jessica St. Clair put together an audio book called The Art of Small Talk. Think of it as a guide on navigating through brief conversations with strangers. In the audio book, they discuss why small talk is important and how it brings us as human beings, living our lives, closer together. On this episode, Jessica and Casey will get into how to perfect the art of small talk. They'll tell us what works for them and walk us through a few examples. They'll even coach Jesse on how to best engage in small talk at the dog park. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Eve is an icon in hip-hop, a west Philly rapper whose flow, style and production helped define the genre in the early 2000s. She's released three incredible albums–all of which reached either gold or platinum–and stands out as the first lady of rap collective The Ruff Ryders. Eve covers it all in her new memoir, Who's that Girl?. It's about Eve's journey in hip-hop, acting, motherhood, and mental health. We talk all about it and so much more on Bullseye. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Wendy and Lisa recorded some stone cold classics with Prince's band The Revolution: Purple Rain, Raspberry Beret, Kiss, When Doves Cry and more. These days, they're known for their work composing scores for TV and movies: Heroes, Dangerous Minds, Crossing Jordan, and Nurse Jackie. Wendy and Lisa talk with us about their 40-plus year partnership, and their Emmy award-winning work as composers. And of course, what it was like to collaborate with Prince, and work on some of his most iconic records. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Ian Frazier, is a writer who, for lack of a better term, does the thing. If there is a place that fascinates him he goes to that place, immerses himself in it, and writes about it. And that's exactly what he did for his new book about the Bronx called Paradise Bronx. He joins us to talk about the history of the New York borough and even tells us how he mapped out the radius in which residents can smell cookies from a local bakery. Plus, he shares what items he brings with him when he goes out to explore a city. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Tyrese Gibson is a renaissance man. He's a Grammy-nominated singer, blockbuster actor, an accomplished author, and model. His latest project is a crime drama–1992. It's set in Los Angeles, the day four police officers charged with beating Rodney King were acquitted. We talk about the film and the commercial that jump started his career. Plus, Tyrese presses pause mid-interview to take an important call from a rap legend. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Lynda Barry is a legend of alternative comics. These days, she teaches at the University of Wisconsin. Her book What It Is, was recently re-issued on paperback. When we talked to Lynda in 2020, she'd just released Making Comics. It's sort of an illustrated guide on how to create comics. At the heart of the book is a belief Lynda has: Anybody can draw. Anyone can make comics. Yes, even you! Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Jon Hamm is an actor with a lot of range. He can do serious, and he can definitely do funny. When he last joined us on the show, he had just starred in a comic noir called Maggie Moore(s). A film with a perfect mix of serious and funny. He chatted with us about that film, how he landed his memorable role on Mad Men, and much more. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

ScarLip is hip-hop's next rising star with her forceful flow and energy inspired by the late rapper DMX. She's just been named to XXL's 2024 freshman class and received the stamp of approval from hip-hop giants Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg. We get into her ascent in the game, breath control while performing, and staying in school against all odds. Plus: What's a Glizzy? We answer that and so much more. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Entering the studio with Jesse Thorn on the latest episode is John Cena. The wrestler turned actor talks about his path to the ring and Hollywood. John recently announced his imminent retirement from wrestling – he talked with us about that decision. Plus, John's always wanted to learn how to play piano, and he's thought of a way to make that happen. His latest project is an action comedy called Jackpot! in which he stars alongside Awkwafina. You can stream it now on Amazon Prime. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Michelin-starred chef René Redzepi, host of the new show Omnivore on Apple TV+, joins us on the latest installment of I Wish I Made That to talk about a recipe he wishes he'd invented: a beautiful vegetable dish called Le Gargouillou. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Common and Pete Rock are two of hip-hop's greatest heroes. Now, the two icons have combined their genius to release their first collaborative work together, The Auditorium Vol. 1. We get into the album, discuss some of the pair's most profound tracks, and spin into a conversation on breakdancing at 50. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Ghostbuster! Beldar the Conehead! Blues Brother Elwood! The one and only Dan Aykroyd joins us. In the audio documentary Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude, Aykroyd tells the story of how the band formed, how it persevered through decades of tumult, including the death of its co-founder and friend, John Belushi. Dan Aykroyd talks about the history of The Blues Brothers, the making of Ghostbusters, and so much more. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Bilal is a vocalist with a foot in two worlds. He's a rap fan's favorite jazz singer, or a jazz fan's favorite hip hop singer. He joins to talk about his new project Live at Glasshaus (Glasshaus Presents), which came out earlier this summer. He also shares how he and his longtime collaborator and friend Robert Glasper first met. Plus, Bilal also talks about how he got together with a big band in Germany to perform a Curtis Mayfield tribute concert. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Megan Stalter is an actor and comedian. She plays Kayla Schaefer on the hit show Hacks, the wildly inappropriate, yet charming assistant to Paul W. Downs' manager character. Stalter also stars in the new film Cora Bora. She plays the title character, a singer/songwriter in a long distance relationship that she senses is in trouble. Megan Stalter joins us to talk about the film, her time on Hacks, and so much more. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Actor and comedian Paul Scheer recently joined us before a live audience at LAist – our hometown public radio station in Los Angeles – to talk about his new book Joyful Recollections of Trauma. Paul also shares a story about an intense encounter he had with actor Christopher Walken when he was younger. Plus, he tells us how he's become such a big Los Angeles Clippers fan. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Les Savy Fav recently released OUI, LSF, their first album in 14 years. On the latest episode, Jesse chats with Tim Harrington and bassist Syd Butler of Les Savy Fav. Harrington is in his 50's now and was diagnosed with bipolar disorder not too long ago. He opens up about taking better care of himself. Butler and Harrington also get into the new record, which was recorded in Harrington's attic – please don't tell his landlord. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy