Bullseye With Jesse Thorn

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.

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

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

Jordan Morris ranks America from the bottom to the top.

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.

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.