By Jim Smith
BOSTON — Former Boston Mayor and Vatican ambassador Raymond L. Flynn embarked on a part-time career in broadcasting last Saturday with a talk show on the Hub’s leading talk station, WRKO-AM (680).
Flynn, who has been exploring several job options in the private sector since his second-place finish in September’s Democratic primary for the U.S. Congressional seat of retiring Rep. Joe Kennedy, will be on the air from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday.
"There’s a lot of garbage and trash talk on the air these days," he said last week. "I’m sure there’s an audience out there for some decent, informative discussion. I’ll be able to share some of the experiences I had around the world as ambassador, and I’ll use the format to give a voice to the average person from the neighborhoods of the city."
Frank Murtaugh, marketing director for WRKO, said that the station was happy to get Flynn on board. "He’s always had a tremendous ability to connect with people, and he brings a wealth of different experiences to the role," he said.
Saturday’s debut, during which Flynn was treated respectfully by virtually all of the callers, was considered a remarkable success by station management. "The lines were lit up like a Christmas tree throughout the show," Murtaugh said about the number of callers, many of whom addressed Flynn as "Mr. Ambassador" or "Mr. Mayor."
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Flynn, who appeared to become more confident in his talkmaster role as the program progressed, generally steered the discussion toward callers’ opinions about the impeachment proceedings and the pending move of the New England Patriots to Hartford, Conn.