Bullseye With Jesse Thorn

Comedy from Baron Vaughn and Kasper Hauser plus interviews with Bobcat Goldthwait and Steve Dildarian and music from John Vanderslice from our live show at the San Francisco Sketchfest comedy festival.

Jesse's live conversation at the Cinefamily in Los Angeles with Barry Gordon, the then-15-year-old star of the film A Thousand Clowns. Released in 1965 and now out-of-print, A Thousand Clowns co-stars Jason Robards as Murray, a comedy writer who struggles to come to terms with growing up – something he must do if he wants to stop child protective services from taking away his adopted son Nick.

Dick Cavett is best known as a talk show host who spoke with (and listened to) some of America's most celebrated entertainers. With a playful yet sophisticated wit, he hosted The Dick Cavett Show, which aired on ABC and on PBS from the late 60s to the early 80s. He currently writes an opinion blog for the New York Times. In his newest book, Talk Show, he tells some of his best stories about his time as an interviewer and host.

Bill Carter is the author of two books about the politics and people of late night television, and a media reporter for the New York Times. His most recent book is The War for Late Night, a thoughtful and exciting behind-the-scenes look at the Sturm und Drang of the late night wars over Jay Leno, Conan O'Brien, and The Tonight Show.

Daryl Hall is a singer, songwriter and producer. He's best known as the lead singer and co-founder of Hall & Oates, who have sold more albums than any other duo in music history. His current project is a monthly web video series of his collaborations with other musicians, called "Live from Daryl's House".

Chuck Brown is known as "The Godfather of Go-Go", a genre of very danceable funk music that he helped originate in Washington, D.C. in the 1970s. His newest release is a 3-disc set called "We Got This". He spoke to us about a song that changed his life.

Mavis Staples is a legendary R&B and gospel singer. She began singing as part of a family gospel group formed by her father called The Staple Singers. Her newest album, produced by Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, is called You Are Not Alone.

First, "Ragtag", a sketch from LA-based comedy group Cream; then a monthly wrap-up of what's up and what's down with Jordan Morris for "Jordan Ranks America".

Adam Reed is a writer, director, producer and voice actor. He was the co-creator of the Adult Swim animated series Sealab 2021 and Frisky Dingo. He's also the mind behind the FX show Archer, which is entering its second season.

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein are the stars of a new TV show on IFC called "Portlandia", an affectionate skewering of the young people's bohemian paradise that is Portland, Oregon.

Heartlines, the late night call-in request show — "turn on your heartlight and send out a heartline."

David Rakoff is an essayist, journalist, and a regular contributor to This American Life. His latest book is a collection of essays called Half Empty, on taking down optimism and championing pessimism.

A standup set from one of our comedy heroes, Maria Bamford. Recorded at our last Laugh Night, a benefit for Art Share in Los Angeles.

Lynda Barry is a legend of alternative comics. Her strip Ernie Pook's Comeek earner her a reputation as sweet, funny and fearless. Her two most recent books are about how to create art and writing.

Our special highlighting the best comedy of the year, including Kyle Kinane, Paul F. Tompkins, Karen Kilgariff, Kasper Hauser, Hannibal Burress, The State, Nick Thune, Aziz Ansari, Mike Phirman and more.