Viewers of “The McLaughlin Group” did get to hear him during one of his trademark voiceovers, albeit with a voice weaker than his usual bombastic east coast accent.
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That’s what she wrote when news broke that John McLaughlin, Washington icon and founding host of “The McLaughlin Group”, died Tuesday at age 89.
“The McLaughlin Group” – a round table political discussion – has been on the air for more than 34 years, and John hosted every weekly episode. “Now he has said bye bye for the last time, to rejoin his beloved dog, Oliver, in heaven”, the post said. “He will always be remembered”, the page said.
Memorial service details will be announced on The McLaughlin Group’s Facebook page.
John McLaughlin, the US talk-show host whose rowdy panel discussions on political issues entertained television viewers for more than 30 years and drew comparisons to professional wrestling, has died. It’s a style McLaughlin once described to the Associated Press as “the acquisition of knowledge need not be like listening to the Gregorian chant”. We will miss his contagious spirit & tireless dedication.. Panelists such as Patrick Buchanan and Eleanor Clift were encouraged to shout out their objections to each other’s views.
In 1982, McLaughlin’s friend Richard Moore, a former aide in the Nixon White House and a former television executive, joined forces with McLaughlin to create a new form of public affairs television – and a juggernaut was born.
“I was privileged to spend many hours talking with John, on and off his show; his friendship and intelligence will be sorely missed, not only by me, but also by his many listeners, colleagues, family and friends”. He had left the priesthood to marry by the time “The McLaughlin Group” first went to air in the 1980s.
McLaughlin’s entry into on-air political theater began in 1979, when he became a talk-show host on WRC radio in Washington. He also hosted a show called “McLaughlin” on CNBC for five years starting in 1989. He studied at a seminary in MA and earned two master’s degrees at Boston College.
He was often spoofed on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” in the 1980s with comedian Dana Carvey playing the title role.
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“As the panel’s recent absences attest, I am under the weather”, a message from McLaughlin during the intro. of the program read.
