Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Rickey Vincent, a music historian and UC Berkeley professor, dives deep into the legacy of Sly Stone, the funk legend. He discusses what set Sly apart in the music industry and his profound impact on the funk genre. The conversation highlights Sly's innovative sound, blending musical elements and cultural diversity. Vincent also reflects on Sly's personal struggles and the emotional depth of his songwriting. The episode celebrates how Sly's storytelling resonated with audiences, ensuring his legacy endures in American music.

George Takei, renowned for his role as Commander Sulu, is an actor and passionate LGBTQ+ rights advocate. In this engaging discussion, he delves into his new graphic memoir, revealing his personal journey of coming out and identity. Takei shares poignant reflections on his childhood in internment camps during WWII and the emotional complexities of being a closeted actor. He emphasizes the importance of civic engagement and draws parallels between historical injustices and today’s challenges, reinforcing the need for awareness and action.

Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, known for her engaging stand-up and viral social media presence, explores the balance of humor and serious subjects. She discusses her new special, Father, and how recording family videos has strengthened their bonds. Atsuko reflects on the challenges of growing up undocumented and shares poignant stories about her grandmother's immigration journey. The conversation delves into family dynamics, mental health, and the healing power of laughter amidst trauma, showcasing the depth of her comedic artistry.

Cole Escola, an actor, comedian, and playwright known for their roles in TV comedies like Difficult People and Hacks, dives into the comedic portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln in their play Oh, Mary!. They discuss the absurdity of blending historical figures with contemporary humor and reflect on the complexities of approaching middle age. Escola also shares insights on femininity in media and the pressures of identity, illuminating the balance between comedy and deeper storytelling in their creative journey. Prepare for humor and heartfelt revelations!

The one and only Mark Hamill joins us this week. He chats with us about his latest role in the epic, life-affirming drama The Life of Chuck. He also tells us about what inspired him to take his acting skills to Broadway after Star Wars. Plus, he shares what got him into voice acting and does his iconic voice as the Joker from the animated Batman series for us.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

What was it like to work with Paul Reubens? The man behind Pee-wee Herman. Pee-wee as Himself is a beautiful, touching documentary about one of the most talented and unique voices of our time. He died in 2023. We're joined by filmmaker Matt Wolf. He talks about what made Paul Reubens a dream subject for a documentary and how he got Paul to open up about difficult topics. Plus, Jesse talks about his own experience working with Paul on the Pee-wee Herman Radio Hour for KCRW. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

This week on Bullseye, we talk to Ego Nwodim! She just wrapped up her seventh season as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. She talks with us about her roundabout path to comedy, including nods to her hometown in sketches, and a whole lot about her incredible SNL character: Lisa from Temecula. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Mary Randolph Carter is an expert on all things junk. She's written many books on the topic including her latest called Live With the Things You Love: And You'll Live Happily Ever After. We asked Carter if there was ever one piece of junk she acquired over the years that stuck with her so much and lived inside her head rent free for so long that she wishes she made it. The object that came to mind was a very peculiar clock. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Questlove, drummer and bandleader for The Roots joins us on the latest episode. The legend. Lately, he's been working on music documentaries: Sly Lives! and Summer of Soul were both fantastic. He joins us to talk at length about Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music. Questlove gets into his early memories of Saturday Night Live as a kid and gets into how he's been involved with the show over the years. We also get into the forthcoming album from The Roots. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

This week on Bullseye, we talk to Carson Lund, director of the new slice-of-life baseball film, Eephus. The movie is about two rec league baseball teams meeting to play their final game on a field, which will be torn down the next day to make way for a middle school. Lund talks to Bullseye about representing downtime in baseball, and rejecting the grand finale you might expect in a movie about a sport. To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy