At the end of 2014, I will have hosted Greater Boston for 17 years. That’s roughly 4,400 episodes which include a minimum of three interview segments a show with between one and three guests per segment, and well, you see where I am going with this.
It’s been a long ride with a lot wonderful interaction with people from all walks of the greater Boston community, but it’s also been a daily grind. I’ve had the time of my life hosting Greater Boston but feel the time is right to step back a little, enjoy a few other things, and keep my foot in the door by continuing to host Beat the Press and make regular appearances on 89.7 Boston Public Radio.
People always ask me what my best or worst interview has been. I can easily answer the latter, but not the former. But I’m not going to say. I can tell you some of the most intriguing interviews I’ve done. First, as politicians go, Deval Patrick is a standout and I distinctly remember his first on-set appearance. I asked him why he was so popular with women. He’s serious, playful and even occasionally off script. Although one of my best interviews ever was with Diane Patrick, her very personal reflections on being in an abusive relationship before meeting the governor. Former Boston Mayor Tom Menino, though, is a personal favorite. Largely because he had such a great relationship with my late husband, WCVB reporter Kirby Perkins.
As far as authors go, I always love having Michael Pollan (Omnivore’s Delight, Cooked) and Michael Lewis (Moneyball, The Blind Side). Despite being prominent national figures, they are delightfully open, charming and act like you are the first person to ask them anything. As for “talkers”, no one is better than New England School of Law’s Wendy Murphy, a polarizing figure who has her finger on the pulse of women’s and victims’ rights.
I have never been better prepared than I was for a 30-minute interview with disgraced FBI agent John Connolly in 1998. Through the efforts of the late producer Ron LeBreque, Greater Boston scored an exclusive with Connolly right before he went to trial. I seeped myself in the Whitey Bulger culture for that one.
As for people who have intimidated me, there have been few. Boston University president John Silber tried, but in the end we had a mutual respect. Same with Bill Bulger. As for blowing it, I was extremely apprehensive about a 30 minute sit-down with Mike Barnicle right after he was let go by The Boston Globe. I supported him and was nervous about making him angry. For that reason, I didn’t do such a great job challenging him on some of his indiscretions.
There’s almost nothing that doesn’t interest me in some regard, although my colleagues will tell you I often say “that’s a circular discussion.” Abortion, gun control, education = circular.
At any rate, while I will miss the show and miss the opportunity to meet extraordinary people, I won’t miss the daily churn. A weekly churn will do it.