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August 17, 2016 3:57 PM Subscribe
John McLaughlin, TV Host Who Made Combat of Punditry, Dies at 89 [The New York Times] John McLaughlin, a former Roman Catholic priest who became an aide to Richard M. Nixon in the White House and parlayed his fierce defense of the president into a television career as host of “The McLaughlin Group,” the long-running Sunday morning program of combative political punditry, died on Tuesday at his home in Washington. He was 89.
Related:
- A Brief Video Tribute to John McLaughlin [Bloomberg]
- Dana Carvey is McLaughlin’s best-known impersonator, portraying him in at least four “Saturday Night Live” skits in the early 1990s.
Related:
- A Brief Video Tribute to John McLaughlin [Bloomberg]
- Dana Carvey is McLaughlin’s best-known impersonator, portraying him in at least four “Saturday Night Live” skits in the early 1990s.
ISSUE ONE:
.
ISSUE TWO:
RIP every Sunday morning at my house growing up.
posted by bleep at 4:10 PM on August 17, 2016 [19 favorites]
.
ISSUE TWO:
RIP every Sunday morning at my house growing up.
posted by bleep at 4:10 PM on August 17, 2016 [19 favorites]
BYE-BYE!
posted by gatorae at 4:15 PM on August 17, 2016 [19 favorites]
posted by gatorae at 4:15 PM on August 17, 2016 [19 favorites]
May he rest in peace.
posted by ducky l'orange at 4:21 PM on August 17, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by ducky l'orange at 4:21 PM on August 17, 2016 [3 favorites]
Yeah...he was a staunch defender of Nixon's worst excesses and he helped transformed political TV commentary into the angry shouting it is today. And if the obituary is accurate he was kind of an aggressive, combative jerk in private too.
I guess RIP, but I hope this guy doesn't get the usual dead = canonized treatment.
posted by Sangermaine at 4:25 PM on August 17, 2016 [7 favorites]
I guess RIP, but I hope this guy doesn't get the usual dead = canonized treatment.
posted by Sangermaine at 4:25 PM on August 17, 2016 [7 favorites]
He also played some ripping guitar in The Tony Williams Lifetime.
posted by porn in the woods at 4:25 PM on August 17, 2016 [8 favorites]
posted by porn in the woods at 4:25 PM on August 17, 2016 [8 favorites]
This changes the ecosystem of mainstream media news, like when an apex predator dies in the jungle...
posted by littlejohnnyjewel at 4:25 PM on August 17, 2016
posted by littlejohnnyjewel at 4:25 PM on August 17, 2016
Death comes in the night on little cat's feet.
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 4:29 PM on August 17, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by Jessica Savitch's Coke Spoon at 4:29 PM on August 17, 2016 [11 favorites]
Somewhere, Morton Kondracke is celebrating.
You had to admit, the guy had a sense of humor, such as when he had a hilariously random cameo on The Adventures of Pete & Pete.
posted by JHarris at 4:49 PM on August 17, 2016 [6 favorites]
You had to admit, the guy had a sense of humor, such as when he had a hilariously random cameo on The Adventures of Pete & Pete.
posted by JHarris at 4:49 PM on August 17, 2016 [6 favorites]
My dad and I used to hatewatch together back in the Clift/Kondracke/Germond/Buchanan days. Here's hoping he knows all the answers now with "metaphysical certitude."
posted by gubo at 4:54 PM on August 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by gubo at 4:54 PM on August 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
I can't forget the best SNL take, Phil Hartman at the top of his game leading the Sinatra Group.
posted by gimonca at 5:01 PM on August 17, 2016 [15 favorites]
posted by gimonca at 5:01 PM on August 17, 2016 [15 favorites]
RIP every Sunday morning at my house growing up.
Same, with the memory of Mom arguing with the political TV shows. "George Will/Charles Krauthammer/John McLaughlan can't hear you Mom!"
posted by epersonae at 5:02 PM on August 17, 2016
Same, with the memory of Mom arguing with the political TV shows. "George Will/Charles Krauthammer/John McLaughlan can't hear you Mom!"
posted by epersonae at 5:02 PM on August 17, 2016
Oh, man, what a bummer. I always loved that show, especially when they had Mort Zuckerman on it. Getting old sucks.
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 5:25 PM on August 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 5:25 PM on August 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
I vehemently disagreed with his politics, but at least he was articulate, especially when compared to the current crop of shit-for-brains right wing talking heads. That said, I agree with Sangermaine that it's one thing to acknowledge his passing but a completely different thing to canonize him.
I'll give him a "." , and I hope he rests in peace. Anything more would be WRONG!
posted by mosk at 5:25 PM on August 17, 2016 [8 favorites]
I'll give him a "." , and I hope he rests in peace. Anything more would be WRONG!
posted by mosk at 5:25 PM on August 17, 2016 [8 favorites]
.
Wrong!
My favourite moment from the SNL parody:
John McLaughlin: Issue number 6: what did you have for breakfast today? Eleanor!
Eleanor Clift: Some cantaloupe.
John McLaughlin: Mortontown, USA!
Morton Kondracke: I had poached eggs and toast.
John McLaughlin: Jack Germondo!
Jack Germonde: Bacon and eggs.
John McLaughlin: Patty Patty Buke Buke!
Pat Buchanan: I'm thinking waffles, maybe a little..
John McLaughlin: Wrong! You all had Special K with banana.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:49 PM on August 17, 2016 [30 favorites]
Wrong!
My favourite moment from the SNL parody:
John McLaughlin: Issue number 6: what did you have for breakfast today? Eleanor!
Eleanor Clift: Some cantaloupe.
John McLaughlin: Mortontown, USA!
Morton Kondracke: I had poached eggs and toast.
John McLaughlin: Jack Germondo!
Jack Germonde: Bacon and eggs.
John McLaughlin: Patty Patty Buke Buke!
Pat Buchanan: I'm thinking waffles, maybe a little..
John McLaughlin: Wrong! You all had Special K with banana.
posted by mandolin conspiracy at 5:49 PM on August 17, 2016 [30 favorites]
That show existed in a vacuum where everyone is born middle aged.
posted by Beholder at 6:04 PM on August 17, 2016 [6 favorites]
posted by Beholder at 6:04 PM on August 17, 2016 [6 favorites]
.
He was my gateway into thinking about politics, as flawed as he may have been.
posted by charred husk at 6:14 PM on August 17, 2016 [7 favorites]
He was my gateway into thinking about politics, as flawed as he may have been.
posted by charred husk at 6:14 PM on August 17, 2016 [7 favorites]
.
I was raised on the McLaughlin group instead of cartoons on Sunday mornings. Bye, bye.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:20 PM on August 17, 2016 [4 favorites]
I was raised on the McLaughlin group instead of cartoons on Sunday mornings. Bye, bye.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:20 PM on August 17, 2016 [4 favorites]
Although The McLaughlin Group shows played up the often raucous debate and favoured the short sharp answer, I disagree with those who say the show was the progenitor of the sound-bite-y, biased and shallow US TV news landscape of today.
His show usually had a reasonable spectrum of opinion represented by the guests, and each had opportunity to speak to the topics they covered, and to challenge other answers. I'm not a weekend news junkie any more, but I'm not aware of a current show that has the same combination of fairness and hardball.
I recall his predictions were usually gutsy. Can't find anything online to assess their accuracy.
Bye Bye,
.
posted by Artful Codger at 7:06 PM on August 17, 2016 [9 favorites]
His show usually had a reasonable spectrum of opinion represented by the guests, and each had opportunity to speak to the topics they covered, and to challenge other answers. I'm not a weekend news junkie any more, but I'm not aware of a current show that has the same combination of fairness and hardball.
I recall his predictions were usually gutsy. Can't find anything online to assess their accuracy.
Bye Bye,
.
posted by Artful Codger at 7:06 PM on August 17, 2016 [9 favorites]
he was a staunch defender of Nixon's worst excesses
I was surprised to learn today that he ran his first Congressional race as a Catholic priest and an anti-Vietnam war liberal Republican. I vaguely recalled that he was/had been a clergyman but had no idea that he had ever been a liberal anything.
(Feelings of regret upon learning of the passing of John McLaughlin ON A SCALE FROM ONE TO TEN: SIX AND ONE HALF!)
posted by octobersurprise at 7:26 PM on August 17, 2016 [8 favorites]
I was surprised to learn today that he ran his first Congressional race as a Catholic priest and an anti-Vietnam war liberal Republican. I vaguely recalled that he was/had been a clergyman but had no idea that he had ever been a liberal anything.
(Feelings of regret upon learning of the passing of John McLaughlin ON A SCALE FROM ONE TO TEN: SIX AND ONE HALF!)
posted by octobersurprise at 7:26 PM on August 17, 2016 [8 favorites]
True story:
A classmate of mine in graduate school was working for a Crate and Barrel in DC when John McLaughlin walked in:
Friend: "May I help you?"
JM: "BREADBOX."
posted by 4ster at 7:53 PM on August 17, 2016 [31 favorites]
A classmate of mine in graduate school was working for a Crate and Barrel in DC when John McLaughlin walked in:
Friend: "May I help you?"
JM: "BREADBOX."
posted by 4ster at 7:53 PM on August 17, 2016 [31 favorites]
We weren't allowed much TV as kids - the glorious Sunday morning lineup of The McLaughlin Group and Meet the Press with Tim Russert were one of the few exceptions (the others being Oprah and local nightly news, and ER if my mom was feeling generous). Fresh home from Church with a bag of bagels and my dad snoring on the couch in the background, startling awake every time McLaughlin shouted "WRONG!"
Thanks John. (Especially for exposing me to Eleanor Clift, who went toe to toe with all the guys trying to shout her down). Bye-BYEE.
.
posted by sallybrown at 8:37 PM on August 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
Thanks John. (Especially for exposing me to Eleanor Clift, who went toe to toe with all the guys trying to shout her down). Bye-BYEE.
.
posted by sallybrown at 8:37 PM on August 17, 2016 [2 favorites]
We weren't allowed much TV as kids - the glorious Sunday morning lineup of The McLaughlin Group and Meet the Press with Tim Russert were one of the few exceptions (the others being Oprah
posted by sallybrown at 10:37 PM on August 17
You poor thing. That's in the neighborhood of brainwashing. Have you yet recovered from Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz?
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:44 PM on August 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by sallybrown at 10:37 PM on August 17
You poor thing. That's in the neighborhood of brainwashing. Have you yet recovered from Dr. Phil and Dr. Oz?
posted by InsertNiftyNameHere at 9:44 PM on August 17, 2016 [1 favorite]
When I was in high school (and I should specify a private Christian school), our history teacher used to play The McLaughlin Group for us every week and then have us discuss the issues. I was probably the only person in the classroom who actually paid attention, and what happened afterward was generally the teacher and I arguing while everyone else ignored us both. (He later gave me the annual "History Award" during our acknowledgement ceremony even though it was supposed to go to a senior and I was only a junior, and told basically that same story to the entire audience. The next year, he was gone from the school, most likely due to pressure from administration because he was getting a divorce. I've always wondered how much of giving the award to the obstreperous asshole who wasn't even in the right grade was intended as a middle finger to management. I sure as hell didn't get any recognition from the Bible teacher, where classes had a similar dynamic.)
Anyway, one year he took the class to go see a live taping of the show, of which my main memory is Jon Berahya sneaking up to the stage afterward to "sit in the big chair" and recite the SNL sketch, which that, at least, we all agreed was hilarious. I'm pretty sure the teacher showed it to us himself, since I didn't have cable television or the Internet at that stage of my life. I can't think how else I saw it otherwise.
Despite the absurdity, I had a soft spot for the show, I guess is the point.
posted by Scattercat at 10:33 PM on August 17, 2016 [7 favorites]
Anyway, one year he took the class to go see a live taping of the show, of which my main memory is Jon Berahya sneaking up to the stage afterward to "sit in the big chair" and recite the SNL sketch, which that, at least, we all agreed was hilarious. I'm pretty sure the teacher showed it to us himself, since I didn't have cable television or the Internet at that stage of my life. I can't think how else I saw it otherwise.
Despite the absurdity, I had a soft spot for the show, I guess is the point.
posted by Scattercat at 10:33 PM on August 17, 2016 [7 favorites]
As someone taught by Jesuits, taught by people taught by Jesuits, and raised by people taught by Jesuits, I have to admit that any debates with these "always right" people are for the birds, and about as edifying as a cold sore.
posted by Chitownfats at 4:41 AM on August 18, 2016
posted by Chitownfats at 4:41 AM on August 18, 2016
I thought he was the guy who kept the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling from tearing each others' hair out.
posted by dances with hamsters at 5:22 AM on August 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by dances with hamsters at 5:22 AM on August 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
My ex turned me on to the MCG when I was 32. Watching those episodes with her on Sunday mornings laughing and impersonating Pat and Eleanor are some of my happiest memories, not just of my ex, but of all time.
.
posted by josher71 at 6:13 AM on August 18, 2016 [3 favorites]
.
posted by josher71 at 6:13 AM on August 18, 2016 [3 favorites]
I used to love this show when I was a kid (late '80s/early '90s), because it was just barely in need of rescripting when they parodied it on SNL. Comedy gold. Bye bye!
posted by kittens for breakfast at 6:18 AM on August 18, 2016
posted by kittens for breakfast at 6:18 AM on August 18, 2016
Odd thought:
He was ordained as a priest in 1959, and requested to be released from his vows in 1975.
He married Ann Dore in 1975, and was divorced in 1992.
He married Cristina Vidal in 1997, and was divorced in 2010.
Sorta makes me think he had a real problem with keeping his promises.
Ah well: .
posted by easily confused at 6:27 AM on August 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
He was ordained as a priest in 1959, and requested to be released from his vows in 1975.
He married Ann Dore in 1975, and was divorced in 1992.
He married Cristina Vidal in 1997, and was divorced in 2010.
Sorta makes me think he had a real problem with keeping his promises.
Ah well: .
posted by easily confused at 6:27 AM on August 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
I read that he was from Rhode Island, and so him being a person of certainties -- Catholicism, conservatism -- makes a lot of sense, given the times and place in which his sensibilities were shaped.
posted by wenestvedt at 7:00 AM on August 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by wenestvedt at 7:00 AM on August 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
He was my gateway into thinking about politics, as flawed as he may have been.
Same. Growing up in Bumblefuck, Illinois without cable, The McLaughlin Group on Iowa Public Television was as influential to me as their Doctor Who reruns, which is saying A LOT.
I think it's very important to grow up with someone who you eventually realize is fairly smart but also Very Wrong.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:24 AM on August 18, 2016 [7 favorites]
Same. Growing up in Bumblefuck, Illinois without cable, The McLaughlin Group on Iowa Public Television was as influential to me as their Doctor Who reruns, which is saying A LOT.
I think it's very important to grow up with someone who you eventually realize is fairly smart but also Very Wrong.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:24 AM on August 18, 2016 [7 favorites]
MetaFilter: fairly smart but also Very Wrong.
posted by wenestvedt at 8:59 AM on August 18, 2016 [4 favorites]
posted by wenestvedt at 8:59 AM on August 18, 2016 [4 favorites]
Fairly smart but also Wrong!
posted by saul wright at 1:06 PM on August 21, 2016
posted by saul wright at 1:06 PM on August 21, 2016
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescat in pace.
posted by ob1quixote at 1:57 PM on August 29, 2016
posted by ob1quixote at 1:57 PM on August 29, 2016
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I guess...
posted by Thorzdad at 4:07 PM on August 17, 2016 [1 favorite]