Wednesday, August 17, 2016

John McLaughlin, RIP



 Yes, yes, I know, Holy political purist: The McLaughlin Group could be indirectly blamed for the coarsening of American political dialogue (Averted Gaze). John McLaughlin was almost certainly a provocateur, prodding his subservient panel to heated argument and controversial statements. But I for one never really took the man or the show for that that seriously, so that's why maybe I am not so hot-around-the-collar over the death of the host of the McLaughlin Group.

And how could you really take it all that seriously? The production values were atrocious, the program was 22-minutes long soaking wet and it gave maybe 4-minutes tops to discussing issues as weighty as the START Treaty or Turkish membership in the European Union. I got my information, quite frankly, from the New York Times and Washington Post  -- even in high school and certainly in college -- but I got my political entertainment, and I have always loved political entertainment, back in the day, from the McLaughlin Group.

I have been watching The McLaughlin Group since before I went to college, which seems like aeons ago in retrospect. In those days it was John, Jack Germond, Eleanor, Pat Buchanan and Robert Novak. Novak soon left (or, rather, was fired), as did Germond. But Eleanor and Pat -- the shows barometers of left and right -- always reamined, loyalists to the end.

What I loved most about the show is how McLaughlin created a narrative beyond the politics involving the panelists on the show. John would openly flirt with Eleanor Clift (who was married at the time), "Eleanor, Eleanor, gee you're swell and all," he crooned, badly. Sometime panelist Freddie "the Beetle" Barnes was a stone-cold geek, and billionaire Mort Zuckerman endured endless ribbing about his money, a source of infinite McLaughlin's envy. McLaughlin kept mentioning the rumpled Germond's weakness for "the track," in careless whispers (Ah, the 80s). I always thought it was all very old school, very HL Mencken-ish, the image of a rumpled, chubby Germond, armed with a hip flask at the track betting on a substantial tip from an equally soused colleague. Germond always seemed about as enchanted in being a panelist on the show as he would have been with an impromptu prostate examination. From his obituary:

He later characterized that program — which for better or worse was intended to be a high-pitched political food fight — as 'really bad TV.' He said he had stayed only so he could pay his daughter’s medical school tuition.

I have no illusions about the "badness" of the show, oh purist media commentators. It was bad politics and after the age of 21 I never learned anything new from watching the show. The budget for McLaughlin Group was clearly cut-rate, although the panel probably made out like bandits. That having been said, it was entertaining (particularly to young politcs geeks), nostalgic (to those same politics geeks returning home from college), lovingly predictable (one always knew where Eleanor and Pat stood on an issue), and a wonderful prod to open conversation over the holidays (especially among my close immediate family of Ugandan immigrants). I loved the show largely because it was a part of my childhood and adulthood, it was entertainment that brought my Ugandan-American immigrant family closer together. Over the years many of my politics-geek friends from diverse backgrounds have said much the same.

It has been a Sunday ritual for as my family long as I can remember. The last few years though the old guy had been getting up there in age, and it showed. He is not as quick on the draw. McLaughlin read most of his dialogue from a sheet that was probably prepared by someone else. He spoke less and less, allowing the panelists to dominate the conversation -- something the old McLaughlin would never have allowed. I’ve noticed, I’m sure a lot of fans have, that the show was winding down. The schedule was really starting to wear on the former Jesuit priest, which made the last episodes all the more sad. "The sharpest minds, best sources, hardest talk” has come to an abrupt end. I particularly loved the year-end “awards” show (or is it Thanksgiving ― “gobble gobble”) when the panel ― Pat, Eleanor, now Tom and Clarence Page ― dress up at their Beltway swishiest, while McLaughlin gets his festive red blazer out of the back of his mothballed closet. I also remember the moving tribute John gave to Eleanor's husband, Tom Brazaitis on the occasion of his death. And after the death of Tom Brazaitis, Eleanor wore black for what seemed like the rest of the year. I remember wondering aloud "How long can a human being mourn."?

And then one day Eleanor laughed, and stopped wearing black, and the show becamse light again.

To me the show was most relevant during the Second Persian Gulf War when Eleanor and Pat Buchanan, curiously, were on the same side of the fence ―liberalism and paleoconservative at one in an odd post-Cold war moment where even neoconservative Jeanne Kirkpatrick leaned "America First." Although Pat Buchanan frequently said unfortunate things ― especially about immigrants and race ― his paleoconservative critique of Tony Blankley's mainstream conservatism-neoconservatism was something not seen on the cable networks. And now Buchanan’s paleoconservatism has come up again as highly relevant via the rise of Trump.


 The last year, however, John McLaughlin totally missed the Brexit. That was a clarion sign that something was not quite right in McLaughlinWorld. I mean, this was Jesuit, philosophically-trained John McLaughlin, right? 

I have no idea if they continue with the show (McLaughlin Group hosted by Eleanor Clift?) or if this is the end of an era.If they do continue with Pat or Eleanor hosting, it will not quite be the same.
While the young breathe a collective "Whatevs" at the death of such a louche beltway public television provocateur, those of us who grew up in the shadow of the Cold War loved the madcap, almost antic comic vibe that pervaded the McLaughlin Show. Whether or not McLaughlin meant the show to be taken as entertainment, I most certainly did. And as entertainment -- or, rather, political entertainment -- it was a pretty good thing.

Unfortunately even good things must come to an end.

37 comments:

alicethomas said...

Thanks a lot for sharing and I have some special things for you. If you are in free time, doctor games for kids; job games for girls will be a perfect choice we recommend to you. With nice graphic style, high-quality interface and smooth animation, this game don’t let you be disappointed for sure.
Beside, you can try candy games free, it is an addictive game which receives much love from players over the world. Now, you can completely play this addicting fun game on your mobile. Have fun!!!!

nhuthuy said...

Thanks for sharing, nice post! Post really provice useful information!

Giaonhan247 chuyên dịch vụ mua đồng hồ timex chính hãng từ dịch vụ mua hàng trên ebay cũng như dịch vụ mua hàng trên amazon ship về việt nam cùng với chi tiết bảng giá gửi hàng đi mỹ uy tín, giá rẻ.

ana said...


Class College Education training Beauty teaching university academy lesson  teacher master student  spa manager  skin care learn eyelash extensions tattoo spray

Packers and Movers Bangalore said...

Packers And Movers Chimmad Bagalkot
Packers And Movers Chinchalkatti Bagalkot
Packers And Movers Chingundi Bagalkot
Packers And Movers Chinnapur Bagalkot
Packers And Movers Chittargi Bagalkot

hrroman said...

If you are stuck with your management assignment then in this case you can opt for our Doctoral Dissertation Help. we provide the bestassignment help.We also provide Dissertation Proofreading Service for students across the globe. for more information contact us +16692714848.

jenny said...

Togel Online
Bandar Togel Terpercaya
Judi Togel
Agen Togel
Daftar Togel
Keluaran Togel

Notícias de Balneário Camboriú said...

O melhor portal de notícias de Balneário Camboriú

Packers and Movers Bangalore said...

Packers And Movers Devanal Bagalkot
Packers And Movers Dhanakshirur Bagalkot
Packers And Movers Dhannur Bagalkot
Packers And Movers Dhavaleshwar Bagalkot
Packers And Movers Gaddankeri Bagalkot

Anonymous said...

Очень волшебныеи к тому же невероятно точные интернет гадания для уточнении загадывания нашего ближайшего будущего: это именно то, что увидит вас на нашем портале. Обычные гадания является наиболее быстрым и действенным инструментом для получения жизненных знаний из ментального поля Земли.

giai ma giac mo lo de said...



trung tâm tư vấn du học canada vnsava



công ty tư vấn du học canada vnsava
trung tâm tư vấn du học canada vnsava uy tín
công ty tư vấn du học canada vnsava uy tín
trung tâm tư vấn du học canada vnsava tại tphcm
công ty tư vấn du học canada vnsava tại tphcm
điều kiện du học canada vnsava
chi phí du học canada vnsava
#vnsava
@vnsava

محمد على said...


شركة مكافحة النمل الابيض بالرياض
شركة مكافحة الصراصير بالرياض
شركة مكافحة النمل الاسود بالرياض
شركة مكافحة الفئران بالرياض
شركة مكافحة بق الفراش بالرياض
شركة مكافحة الحمام بالرياض

Om packers said...


Wow, Great blog and lovely post. The way you have chosen it and the way it is written, its very easy to understand. So please write some more related to this. I am also sharing a post if anyone want packing and moving services please contact Om International packers

Procurement Resource said...

Procurement Resources is a website providing detailed price trends where you will find detailed information about more than 500 products, here you will find detailed price trends for many products like chlorine price, soda ash price. Then definitely visit the website of Procurement Resources once.

drshyam ayurveda said...

Whether you are seeking relief from a specific health condition, looking to de-stress and relax, or simply aiming to enhance your overall well-being, Dr. Shyam Ayurveda is the ideal destination in Dubai. With its impeccable reputation, experienced practitioners, and a wide range of Ayurvedic treatments, the center is dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health and vitality through the time-honored wisdom of Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic clinics in Dubai | Ayurvedic centre Dubai

Aspyn said...



It's good discussion about this post here at this page..Appreciate providing these details.

Samuel said...

Hi there, You have done an excellent job. Lot will be benefited in this web site.

Janet said...

I love this blog.. very nice colors & theme. Keep it up! thanks a lot.

Gregory said...

Its enjoyable for me to come here and visit more here. It is terrific post dude

casinositeone.JDS said...

I really enjoyed reading thank you.

casinosite777top.JDS said...

Thank you for post.

casinositeguidecom.JDS said...

It's truly informative will surely keep visiting the website.

casinositerank said...


looking forward for more posts. Thanks Feel free to visit my website;

gwolf said...

Your article looks really adorable, here's a site link i dropped for you which you may like.

white hospital bed sheets said...

Wholesale white hospital bed sheets from HY Supplies Inc.

Oncasinosite Net said...

Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

Totopick Pro said...

I gotta favorite this site it seems extremely helpful very helpful

Totosafeguide Com said...

It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads.

고스톱 said...

Taking a few minutes and actual effort to generate a top.

카지노사이트랭크 said...

Wow, superb blog layout! Magnificent, let alone the content

스포츠토토맨 said...

Thank you for supplying this information.

19가이드03 said...

Thank you for sharing this excellent post.

Briella said...

This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it

Murray said...

I have read several good stuff here. Such a excellent informative website.

Ashton said...

I like this web blog its a master piece ! Glad I observed this on google

Shah said...

This article was written by a real thinking writer. Keep on writing good article

Dax said...

Very nice article and straight to the point content works. Fantastic post

Whitney said...

I have taken this blog that written very well. I like you. I'll support you