Oliver Callan began his new RTÉ Radio 1 show on Monday morning after it was announced over a week ago that he was set to permanently take over Ryan Tubridy's previous slot.
The presenter and impressionist opened his new radio show by saying, "I suppose I'm not standing in for someone for once, although that feeling will probably never go away, let's face it - especially after that news bulletin!", referring to coverage of the RTÉ top earners list, which was published earlier in the morning.
"Thank you management for that impeccable timing - beautiful!" he quipped.
He continued, "The paint is still wet on the shop front, it's still 'bring your spare pair of underpants to work' time for a fair while yet."
He said that it was "lovely to be here and not partially here like I have been for a bit of while" before thanking people for their well wishes and handwritten cards ahead of him starting the show, including one from "the presenters' illuminati group - welcoming and / or commiserating" him on the new slot.
He went on to refer to several of RTÉ's well-publicised recent difficulties - including the Ryan Tubridy payment fallout, a rodent infestation in the company's main canteen and part of a ceiling falling on an employee in the the RTÉ newsroom.
"Sure why wouldn't I join RTÉ - we seem to be going through something of a golden age right now aren't we?!
"Who wouldn't want to be part of this soaring rocket, replete with optimism and high in public favour, with bits of the ceiling falling in here and there, and more internal investigations and a crypto start-up," he joked.
"And by the way, before you text in - no, I haven't seen a single rat yet, so I don't think I'm a fully-fledged proper inmate until I see the first rodent - I'm looking forward to that day."
He also welcomed "the newspaper radio critics who are tuning in today, for the last time - how are ye lads - judging and dying for the whole thing to land on its a**e, let's face it.
"I know you, 'cause it takes one to know one!", he said, before suggesting that people who work in radio should critique print journalists and their work.
He said that the weeklong build-up to the new show was "fun" and "extremely encouraging... Bryan Dobson heard I was coming and immediately announced that he's leaving.
"Who knew I was going to be the final straw for Dobbo after 37 years of sitting across from political gobs***es!?"
Callan guests on his first show included a former schoolteacher of Kneecap, the Belfast rapping trio whose film won the prestigious audience award at the Sundance Film Festival over the weekend.
He also interviewed 27-year old Sligo man Ryan O'Sullivan who became the youngest mountaineer in the world to complete the notoriously difficult Seven Summits challenge.
Later in the show, he spoke with with jazz and soul singer Dana Masters, a singer from South Carolina.
A descriptive blurb for the new show on the RTÉ website said that the programme would be "a sharp hour of radio entertainment that charms the mood of the nation, discussing trending topics, the latest in sport, the arts and everything that's hopping in Irish life while bringing his inimitable bit of craic with it."
Oliver Callan, RTÉ Radio 1, Monday to Fridays 9am -10am
