Adult Swim’s Joe Pera

Episode notes

Photo: Adult Swim

Comedian Joe Pera

Joe Pera Talks with You is one of the quirkiest shows on television right now. It’s funny in a way that almost sneaks up on you. Joe Pera (or at least the fictionalized version of himself he plays on TV) is a soft-spoken, unassuming, kind person. Each episode involves Joe, a middle school choir teacher, guiding viewers through his life in the city of Marquette, Michigan. He talks about iron. About breakfast. Tries to pick out a Christmas tree. Enjoys a song on the radio.

The simple things in life.

But the show is far from monotonous. It’s a sweet show with low stakes that makes you laugh and smile and is quickly becoming one of Jesse’s favorite things.

Joe grew up in Buffalo, New York all the way up to college where he participated in several stand up competitions before setting out for the larger comedy world of NYC. His production company released the popular Adult Swim infomercial Joe Pera Talks You to Sleep which was followed by the special Joe Pera Helps You Find the Perfect Christmas Tree. Joe Pera Talks with You is grounded in that same reality.

Joe joins Bullseye to talk about doing comedy at his own pace, sleeping in a twin bed well into his twenties and why he enjoys casting non-actors in real locations. Plus, he’ll tell us why he considers falling asleep to be a totally acceptable response to his performances.

Check out the new season of Joe Pera Talks with You on Adult Swim.

Check out this interview on YouTube!

In this episode...

Jesse Thorn

Host

Kevin Ferguson

Senior Producer

Jesus Ambrosio

Producer

Richard Robey

Maximum Fun Producer

Daniel Huecias

Maximum Fun Production Fellow

Guests

Joe Pera

About the show

Bullseye is a celebration of the best of arts and culture in public radio form. Host Jesse Thorn sifts the wheat from the chaff to bring you in-depth interviews with the most revered and revolutionary minds in our culture.

Bullseye has been featured in Time, The New York Times, GQ and McSweeney’s, which called it “the kind of show people listen to in a more perfect world.” Since April 2013, the show has been distributed by NPR.

If you would like to pitch a guest for Bullseye, please CLICK HERE. You can also follow Bullseye on Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook. For more about Bullseye and to see a list of stations that carry it, please click here.