Bullseye with Jesse Thorn

Michael Rapaport, Werner Herzog, AV Club Recommendations, Kasper Hauser News

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:58:54 +0000

Actor Michael Rapaport profiles his favorite hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest, and ends up documenting their deep-rooted friendships and conflicts. Filmmaker Werner Herzog looks into the Chauvet Caves of France, where the oldest known cave paintings exist, practically untouched over thousands of years. Plus, AV Club offer their culture recommendations, Jesse suggests you listen to Sly Stone's “If You Want Me To Stay” and comedy group Kasper Hauser make up the news.

Tim and Eric, Roz Chast, Noz on Rap and God's Favorite Things

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Tim and Eric are known for the surreal and uncomfortable comedy in their sketch show Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. They also promoted Shrek 3 without permission from the movie studio. Now, they've made a billion dollar movie of their own. Cartoonist Roz Chast explains some of her day-to-day fears like balloons, water, and sitting on the ground. Plus a section from God's memoir (as dictated to comedy writer David Javerbaum) and Jesse suggests Randy Newman in his outshot.

Jenna Fischer, Jack Handey, Video Game Picks and Kasper Hauser

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Jenna Fischer talks about her totally-made-up-sounding first acting gig in LA, auditioning for The Office, and what all the actors are doing on their computers when they're in the background of a shot. The very real Jack Handey talks about his days as Steve Martin's neighbor, and how he writes Deep Thoughts. Plus this week's video game recommendations from Heather Anne Campbell and more!

Aisha Tyler, David Hornsby, Jordan Ranks America, The AV Club

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Aisha Tyler funnels her childhood outsider-y experiences toward comedy and performance. She's on the animated FX show Archer. David Hornsby talks about building comedic stories from his real life relationships. His new animated FX show is called Unsupervised. Plus, the AV Club shares their recommendations and Jordan Morris puts America in its place … by ranking everything.

Mini Episode! Lawrence Weschler on The Museum of Jurassic Technolog

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:55:55 +0000

In a supplement to this week's interview, Lawrence Weschler talks with Jesse about The Museum of Jurassic Technology. Don't miss this!

Chris Gethard, Lawrence Weschler, Andrew Noz and More

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Jesse interviews comedian Chris Gethard about booking P. Diddy at a tiny theater in New York. Lawrence Weschler talks about why CGI faces will never look quite right, and why humans are addicted to narrative. Plus rap picks from Andrew Noz and pop culture advice from My Brother, My Brother and Me.

Downton Abbey, Chris Lilley, Dan Deacon, AV Club Picks

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

The first episode of Bullseye! Jesse interviews the cast of Downton Abbey, a costume drama on PBS Masterpiece that is NOT BORING AT ALL. He'll also talk to Chris Lilley, the Australian comedian behind Summer Heights High and the new HBO show Angry Boys. Plus, hear culture picks from the AV Club and the song that changed the Baltimore musician Dan Deacon's life.

2011 Comedy Special

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 20:57:00 +0000

Once a year the small staff here at The Sound of Young America compiles the best comedy we've heard from the past year. Our selections may not be poignant, they may not contribute to a broader understanding of our world, but hey, at least they're funny. Hear from Patton Oswalt, Tig Notaro, Mike Birbiglia and many many others this week on the Sound of Young America's 2011 comedy special.

Ed Levine from Serious Eats

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Ed Levine is the founder and editor of the blog Serious Eats, a forum for sharing "food enthusiasm." He's written regularly about NY food and the iconic American foods and their place in our society. The blog has spawned a new book, called Serious Eats: A Comprehensive Guide to Making and Eating Delicious Food Wherever You Are.

Comedy: Rob Baedeker's CSA Box

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Our contributor Rob Baedeker's new kick is his organic farm, and he shares the letter from his CSA box with us. Rob is a member of the comedy sketch group Kasper Hauser and a freelance writer.

Food Writer Jonathan Gold

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:49:00 +0000

Pulitzer Prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold talks to us about how he manages the day to day eating, the best pastrami sandwich, overcoming food fears and more. He writes for the LA Weekly and is the author of the highly regarded food guide to Los Angeles, Counter Intelligence.

Carrie Fisher

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Carrie Fisher is perhaps best known as Princess Leia from the seminal Star Wars films, but she began her celebrity life as a baby -- the daughter of America's sweethearts, Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher. Carrie battled addiction, mental illness and the ups and downs of celebrity to reinvent herself as a successful novelist and memoirist. Her new memoir, Shockaholic, is out now.

AV Club Picks: December 2011

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:30:00 +0000

AV Club Editor Keith Phipps and Associate Editor Tasha Robinson join us to give their culture picks for December 2011.

Nile Rodgers

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Nile Rodgers launched a string of hits with the group Chic, including "Le Freak" and "Good Times", and went on to become a songwriting and producing superstar. He was behind Diana Ross' "I'm Coming Out", David Bowie's "Let's Dance", Madonna's "Like a Virgin" and many more. Now, he reflects on decades of hitwriting, collaborating, and the meaning of music in his life. His new autobiography is Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco and Destiny.

Comedy: Jordan Ranks America, November 2011

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:00:00 +0000

Our correspondent Jordan Morris pores over what's happening in America to let you know what's best in the US right now.

Patrick Warburton

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Patrick Warburton is a live and voice actor known for his roles on Seinfeld, NewsRadio and The Venture Brothers among others. He's currently starring in the popular CBS sitcom Rules of Engagement and is the voice behind the talk show host in the animated series Effin With Tonight on Crackle

Comedy: Rob Baedeker's Chemistry Lecture

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:17:30 +0000

Rod Baedeker from Kasper Hauser drops by The Sound of Young America to share with us his ground-breaking lecture he gave at Cal Tech.

Kate Beaton, Author of Hark! a Vagrant

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 02:30:00 +0000

Kate Beaton authors the webcomic Hark! a Vagrant. The comic strips mine history and literature for figures to be reimagined and skewered as petulant children, jaded superheroes and Victorian dude-watchers, accented by a very expressive drawing style. Her comics have recently been collected into a book, also called Hark! a Vagrant.

Jeanne Darst, author of Fiction Ruined My Family

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:00:00 +0000

Jeanne Darst is a writer and performer whose work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine and This American Life. She recently published her first book, Fiction Ruined My Family, about her literary family who spent more time drinking than writing.

Comedy: Jordan Ranks America, October 2011

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Don't know where to turn, or who to believe? Try our correspondent Jordan Morris, who brings you the best of America every month.

Marc Maron

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:01:00 +0000

Comedian and comedy-inquisitor Marc Maron talks about turning it all around, doing standup and hosting his smash podcast (turned public radio show) WTF. His new comedy album is "This Has to Be Funny".

Rin Tin Tin with Susan Orlean

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:30:00 +0000

Bestselling nonfiction author and The New Yorker staff writer Susan Orlean talks to us about the fascinating life of the dog and the character Rin Tin Tin, plus much more. Her new book is Rin Tin Tin: The Life and The Legend.

AV Club Picks: Fall TV

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:30:00 +0000

Today's guests from the AV Club are TV Editor Todd VanDerWerff and Assistant Editor Erik Adams. They drop by to discuss their TV picks for the Fall season from Showtimes 'Homeland' to NBCs 'Up All Night' running through the hits and misses with Host Jesse Thorn.

Bootsy Collins

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:30:00 +0000

The legendary funk bassist joins us to talk about creating the persona of Bootsy, playing music with two very different band leaders, James Brown and George Clinton, and more.

John Roderick: The Song That Changed My Life

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 17:06:00 +0000

The Long Winters' frontman, John Roderick, talks to us about the song that changed his life: ZZ Top's Gimme All Your Lovin'.

Jonathan Coulton & John Flansburgh

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 01:32:00 +0000

For Jonathan Coulton, success as a musician has come with recording music himself, releasing individual songs online one-at-a-time, and even selling his catalog on a USB drive. So in a way, his new album Artificial Heart is a terrifying turn to the traditional, and a creative risk. It was produced with They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh in a studio with a full band, the old-fashioned way. Jonathan and John talk to us about that process.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:30:00 +0000

John Hodgman guest hosts this interview with astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Dr. Tyson is the director of the Hayden Planetarium, but the layperson likely knows him as the host of Star Talk Radio and the PBS program Nova ScienceNOW. His upcoming projects include a new version of the TV series Cosmos -- originally hosted by Carl Sagan -- and a new book titled Space Chronicles. He talks to us about how money for space exploration stacks up to other spending, his personal space travel dreams, and more.

George R.R. Martin

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 02:30:00 +0000

John Hodgman guest hosts an interview with the fantasy, science fiction and horror author George R. R. Martin. Martin is the author of the very popular series known as "A Song of Ice and Fire", which has recently been adapted for the HBO show "Game of Thrones". He joins us to talk about creating a fantasy universe, (very) involved fans, and more.

Retromania with Simon Reynolds

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:30:00 +0000

Is cultural innovation at risk when we indulge in retromania? Music critic Simon Reynolds joins us to talk about why songs today are more unimaginative when we have unprecedented access to decades' worth of past music, the loop of re-creating old sounds, and more. His new book is Retromania: Pop Culture's Addiction to its Own Past.

Nicolas Winding Refn, Director of "Drive"

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:09:43 +0000

Nicolas Winding Refn is the Danish director of the new film "Drive", starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan. Refn had a very specific vision for the film, which included trance-like music and throwbacks to the aesthetics of films of his childhood. "Drive" won Refn the Best Director award at this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Robert Popper

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Robert Popper is a British comedy writer behind projects like the BBC mock educational series "Look Around You" with Peter Serafinowicz and the new BBC America series "Friday Night Dinner". He's also an accomplished prankster. We'll talk to him about regressing to childhood in the company of your siblings and parents, the construction of some of his favorite comedy bits, and more.

Paul Scheer

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 09:00:00 +0000

Paul Scheer, an actor and comedian behind shows like Adult Swim's NTSF:SD:SUV:: and MTV's Human Giant, talks to us about low budgets, when parody comes from a place of love, and more.

OK Go's Damian Kulash: The Song That Changed My Life

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Damian Kulash talks to us about the moment he heard Herbie Hancock's Rockit, and how it it informed his life today as the lead singer of OK GO. The band's live album, 180/365, is out now.

Bruce Campbell

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Bruce Campbell is a writer, producer, and cult movie actor who starred in Sam Raimi's Evil Dead series and can currently be seen on the USA show Burn Notice. We talked to him about the DIY aesthetic and feeling of his projects, obsessive fans, and how he came to make cult horror movies, of all things.

Danny Pudi

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 11:00:00 +0000

Danny Pudi is an actor and comedian, best known for his role as the pop culture-obsessed Abed Nadir on the NBC show Community. He talks to us about working on a show that's as much fun to shoot as it is to watch and working improv comedy into a scripted show.

Bruce McCulloch

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 02:00:00 +0000

Bruce McCulloch, best known as one of the members of the comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall, is a writer, actor and director of movies like Superstar and Stealing Harvard. He talks to us about tracing his musical comedy roots, the dynamics of The Kids in the Hall, and more.

Noz's Rap Picks August 2011

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:21:00 +0000

Our hip hop contributor Noz of the blog Cocaine Blunts joins us to talk about his favorite tracks of the moment.

Tig Notaro

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:20:00 +0000

Tig Notaro is a veteran stand-up comedian who you might recognize from her Comedy Central special or perhaps her stint as "Officer Tig" on The Sarah Silverman Program. She's just released her debut comedy album, Good One, on Secretly Canadian Records.

Bob Mould

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 01:30:00 +0000

This week, guest host Dave Holmes talks to singer songwriter Bob Mould. Mould is one of the original members of seminal 1980s punk band Hüsker Dü, who's since struck out on his own with alternative rock band Sugar and his own solo projects. His new memoir, See A Little Light: The Trail Of Rage And Melody, goes deep into his past, exploring band politics, his sexuality and more.

MaxFunCon Special

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:30:00 +0000

A talk from On the Media's Brooke Gladstone, a conversation between John Hodgman and Toy Story 3's director Lee Unkrich, and comedy from Graham Clark, Maria Bamford, Greg Behrendt, Josie Long, and Jerry O'Hearn. It's all here from our third annual MaxFunCon, a gathering of creative people who wish to be more awesome.

Paul Provenza

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 07:30:00 +0000

Paul Provenza is a veteran stand up comic, but he's also ventured into documenting the world of comedy at large. He's collected interviews with comedians in his book Satiristas and explored the variations of a very dirty joke when directing the film The Aristocrats. He currently hosts Showtime's The Green Room, which seeks to re-create the feeling of being behind the scenes with some of the most celebrated comedians of our time. The show has just entered its second season.

Jeff Garlin

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Jeff Garlin is an actor, director and comic -- and perhaps best known as Larry David's best friend and manager Jeff Greene on the acclaimed HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm. The show recently kicked off its eighth season.

Comedy: Jordan Ranks America July 2011

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:30:00 +0000

It's that time again - Jordan Morris spells it all out for us. From the bottom to the top, it's Jordan Ranks America.

Errol Morris

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 23:03:00 +0000

Errol Morris is an Academy Award-winning director who has documented a wide range of subjects, from warfare in The Fog of War to your everyday eccentrics in Vernon, Florida. His talks about his new film Tabloid, and the power of his non-confrontational interview style.

AV Club Picks July 2011

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 10:00:00 +0000

AV Club editors Kyle Ryan and Tasha Robinson join us to talk about their top picks in July's music, movies, and books.

Comedy: Jackie Kashian

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:30:00 +0000

Jackie Kashian is an LA-based stand up who hosts her own podcast, The Dork Forest. Here's her set from MaxFunCon 2011, a gathering of people who wish to be more awesome.

Simon Pegg

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Filmmaker and actor Simon Pegg talks about nerds' epic climb up the social ladder -- from schoolyard runts to mainstream successes. His new memoir is called Nerd Do Well.

Michael Rapaport

Tue, 05 Jul 2011 06:30:00 +0000

Michael Rapaport has an extensive list of credits as an actor, but he visits us to talk about his directorial debut. He took on the task of following the travails of his favorite hip hop group, A Tribe Called Quest. His new documentary, Beats, Rhymes, and Life illustrates the storied history of Tribe and is in theaters in NYC and LA on July 8th.

Comedy: Prescott Tolk

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Stand up comedy from Prescott Tolk, from our live show in Chicago earlier this year.

Weird Al Returns

Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:29:00 +0000

When we last spoke to Weird Al, he was working on his top-secret new album. Now he's returned to talk about "Alpocalypse" and the process of parodying other artists.

Glenn O'Brien - The Style Guy

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 22:50:00 +0000

Glenn O'Brien is the author of How To Be A Man, and the Style Guy columnist for GQ. He also created and hosted TV Party, the seminal new wave television show, and edited Interview magazine.

Rudolph Herzog

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Writer and filmmaker Rudolph Herzog explores the jokes employed by the oppressed and the oppressors of Germany's Third Reich in his new book, Dead Funny: Humor in Hitler's Germany.

Jon Ronson

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Jon Ronson is a journalist, filmmaker and humorist who has written Them: Adventures with Extremists, The Men Who Stare at Goats, and has just published his newest book, The Psychopath Test.

Scot Armstrong

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:14:26 +0000

Scot Armstrong is a screenwriter and comedian who has co-written Old School, Road Trip, and Starsky and Hutch among others. His newest writing project was tackling The Hangover Part II with Todd Phillips.

Demetri Martin

Fri, 27 May 2011 01:46:00 +0000

Demetri Martin is a standup comedian, writer and actor. His new book is called This Is A Book.

AV Club Picks - May 2011

Thu, 26 May 2011 17:20:33 +0000

Our friends Nathan Rabin and Josh Modell from The AV Club drop by to expound upon their pop culture picks for right now, including The Lonely Island and Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! Season 5 on DVD.

Men of a Certain Age: Mike Royce and Ray Romano

Mon, 23 May 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Mike Royce and Ray Romano are the co-creators of the TNT comedic drama "Men of a Certain Age", which follows three friends through the struggles of middle age. They've previously worked together on the hit sitcom "Everybody Loves Raymond".

Noz's Rap Picks, May 2011

Fri, 20 May 2011 16:49:00 +0000

Hip hop blogger Noz is back to talk about his favorite songs this month -- listen up to hear about DJ Quik, Fat Trel, E-40 and more.

Prodigy of Mobb Deep

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Prodigy is a Grammy Award-winning rapper and member of the seminal hip-hop group Mobb Deep. His new autobiography is "My Infamous Life."

Sarah Vowell

Tue, 10 May 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Sarah Vowell is an author and humorist whose newest book, Unfriendly Fishes, is about the annexation of Hawaii.

Werner Herzog

Fri, 06 May 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Werner Herzog is an acclaimed (and prolific) film writer and director, known for narrative films like Aguirre, the Wrath of God as well as documentaries like Grizzly Man. His newest release is a 3D film about the oldest known cave paintings, called The Cave of Forgotten Dreams.

Comedy: Jordan Ranks America, May 2011

Wed, 04 May 2011 17:00:10 +0000

Want to know what's good in the US of A this month? Jordan Morris has the scoop.

Phil Rosenthal

Mon, 02 May 2011 03:50:00 +0000

Phil Rosenthal is the creator of the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, which ran for nine seasons on US television. He's also the subject of a new documentary about the challenges of translating the show for a Russian audience.

Live in Chicago with Peter Sagal

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:33:03 +0000

Peter Sagal of Wait Wait Don't Tell Me, wrestler-comedian Colt Cabana, singer Robbie Fulks and standup comic Cameron Esposito join Jesse in this live show recorded at Chicago's Second City.

AV Club Picks: April 2011

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:42:12 +0000

We're joined by Keith Phipps, the AV Club's editor and Scott Tobias, the AV Club's film editor to discuss their pop culture picks for April 2011.

Das Racist

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:48:00 +0000

Das Racist is a Brooklyn hip hop trio known for tracks like "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell" and "hahahaha jk?" They've referred to their particular approach to hip hop as "deconstructualist," combining humor, nonsequiturs, and culture theory. Their album Relax will be released later this year.

Comedy: The Remington County Folk Festival and Electronics Expo with SuperEgo

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 14:30:00 +0000

SuperEgo presents a few words from our current sponsor: The Remington County Folk Festival (and Electronics Expo...?).

John Darnielle

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 04:30:00 +0000

John Darnielle began making music as the frontman of folk rock band The Mountain Goats in 1991. The band subsequently has gained a cult following and Darnielle has been hailed as one of rock's best lyricists. The Mountain Goats' newest release is All Eternals Deck.

Carl Newman

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:34:56 +0000

Carl Newman is the main songwriter and vocalist of indie rock band The New Pornographers, and also performs as a solo act under the moniker A.C. Newman. The New Pornographers' most recent release is the album "Together".

Dan Charnas

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Dan Charnas, a former record company executive, radio host and journalist has authored a history of the business side of hip-hop called The Big Payback.

Noz's Rap Picks

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 05:30:00 +0000

Noz, of the hip-hop blog Cocaine Blunts, shares some of his favorite new tracks.

Comedy: Craig Rowin

Sun, 20 Mar 2011 04:00:00 +0000

Craig Rowin has a proposition for all you millionaires out there.

Greg Mottola

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:13:28 +0000

Greg Mottola is the director behind Superbad and Adventureland, and has also directed episodes of Arrested Development and Undeclared. His new film Paul is out March 18th, and stars Simon Pegg and Nick Frost.

Bill Hader

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:02:28 +0000

Bill Hader is an actor and cast member on Saturday Night Live, where he's been known for his great impressions as well as beloved recurring characters like Stefon and Vinny Vedecci. He's also been in several of the most successful comedies of the past few years, including Superbad, Tropic Thunder and Knocked Up. You can see him in a new alien-comedy movie with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost called Paul.

Phil Collins: The Song That Changed My Life

Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:43:00 +0000

Phil Collins chose She Loves You by The Beatles as the song that changed his life for our ongoing series.

Scott Thompson

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 16:07:53 +0000

An actor and comedian best known for his work in the Canadian sketch group The Kids in the Hall, Scott Thompson recently released his first graphic novel based on one of his characters, Danny Husk.

Weird Al Yankovic

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:26:00 +0000

Weird Al Yankovic is the undisputed king of parody music and the all-time bestselling accordionist. His new children's book is When I Grow Up. His new album is due this summer.

Live from SF Sketchfest

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 18:25:00 +0000

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.

A Thousand Clowns

Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:46:00 +0000

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

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:03:00 +0000

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: The War for Late Night

Mon, 07 Feb 2011 18:28:08 +0000

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

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 17:50:00 +0000

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".

The Song That Changed My Life: Chuck Brown

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 20:00:12 +0000

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

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:44:00 +0000

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.

Comedy: Cream and Jordan Ranks America

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 17:59:22 +0000

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

Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:25:00 +0000

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 of "Portlandia"

Sun, 23 Jan 2011 03:52:00 +0000

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.

Comedy: Superego

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:32:00 +0000

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

David Rakoff

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:19:19 +0000

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.

Comedy: Maria Bamford at Laugh Night

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:20:08 +0000

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

Mon, 03 Jan 2011 16:30:57 +0000

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.

Best Comedy of 2010

Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:44:46 +0000

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.

Holiday Special 2010

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 19:34:05 +0000

A holiday extravaganza! In addition to some of our favorite holiday songs, interviews from Ronnie Spector of legendary 60s girl group The Ronettes, Fred Schneider of The B-52s and The Superions, and The AV Club Holiday Gift Guide with Tasha Robinson and Kyle Ryan.

Greg Fitzsimmons

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 18:00:00 +0000

Greg Fitzsimmons is a standup comedian. His memoir is Dear Mrs. Fitzsimmons.

Alex Blagg Jacks Your Strat

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 06:12:24 +0000

Web guru Alex Blagg of ABajillionHits.biz jacks your strat with a powerblast of social media marketing know-how and online insight.

Jordan Ranks America: November 2010

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 06:10:03 +0000

Jordan Morris ranks America from the bottom to the top.

John Brandon

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:48:00 +0000

John Brandon is a novelist who was raised on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Citrus County is set in his home state and is his second novel, focusing on a teacher and two middle-schoolers who have their loneliness and status as outsiders in common. The book is part crime novel and part exploration of the adolescent pysche.

The AV Club - December 2010

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:38:00 +0000

Keith Phipps and Nathan Rabin of The AV Club stop by to sift through pop culture and present their picks, which include a box set from Apple Records, a new cut of the classic film Metropolis, a book from The Onion columnist Jean Teasdale, and the documentary Best Worst Movie.

Dr. Dog

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 17:11:11 +0000

Zach Miller and Scott McMicken are members of the Philadelphia band Dr. Dog. Their music synthesizes the sounds of the 1960s and 70s with contemporary influeces, and they've built a major following over the past ten years. Their latest album is Shame, Shame.

The National

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:11:00 +0000

Matt Berninger is the frontman of the Brooklyn indie rock band The National. The band's latest album is High Violet.