General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIt's amazing that the McLaughlin Group is still on with pretty much the same panel
I'm watching it right now and the panel is McLaughlin, Eleanor Clift, Clarence Page, Pat Buchanan, and Tom Rogan. I don't know Rogan, but the other four have been there since the 80's or 90's.
The other people I remember appearing in the past are Bill Press, Al Hunt, and Robert Novak. But it's pretty amazing that the show is more or less the same for 30+ years.
ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)1000 freaking cable channels and the only thing remotely interesting is McLaughlin Group.
Renew Deal
(81,856 posts)So I left it on out of nostalgia.
Bye Byeeeee
ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)Renew Deal
(81,856 posts)ChisolmTrailDem
(9,463 posts)Renew Deal
(81,856 posts)I think it used to be NBC
thesquanderer
(11,986 posts)But yeah, except for Tom Rogan, those others have been around pretty much forever. Mort Zuckerman, too.
MADem
(135,425 posts)He also didn't hesitate to tell The Lord And Master, McLaughlin, to stuff it!! RIP, Jack...!
MADem
(135,425 posts)article by a guy who was a low level gopher-staffer-fact checker for McLaughlin called "GET IN HERE, CEMENT HEAD!" The poor staffer, as the reader learns quickly, is the "Cement Head" of the title.
I have loved that article for years--even though I lost it in a move (damn the bad luck). I read it over and over again when I had it, and laughed every time. I even mentioned it here on DU more than once down the years (see sample comments, below--from more than eleven years ago). One of the things it mentioned is how, before the show started, the CHECKS for the panelists were left on their seats, in envelopes. It was like a game of musical chairs when they arrived, as they dashed to their seats, grabbed their checks, ripped open the envelopes, checked the amounts, and then settled in, contentedly, to tape the show (it's not live, it's taped on Thursdays, IIRC).
It described, in excruciating detail, the sheer HORROR of working for McLaughlin, his arrogance, cruelty, habit of holding court whilst taking a shit a-la-LBJ, his girlfriend who cooked breakfast meats wearing a thong...and McLaughlin's obsession with "The Spray"--which was hairspray to hold those few strands he has on his head in place.
It was a brilliant piece. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find it online, but if anyone ever does stumble across it, I recommend it HIGHLY. It's gut-bustingly funny.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=2514735&mesg_id=2514754
If anyone finds that gem online, please let me know the link!!!
csziggy
(34,136 posts)It was in:
Article Abstract:
Political commentator John McLaughlin is a caricature of himself both on and off the camera. Working for him is so stressful that one of his staff keeps a small Japanese rock garden on his desk. Constant contact with him is toxic, but the US, usually indifferent to Washington politics, needs him.
Author: Lowe, Tom
Publisher: Washington Magazine Inc.
Publication Name: Washingtonian
Subject: Travel, recreation and leisure
ISSN: 0043-0897
Year: 1996
Political aspects, Portrayals, Media coverage, Mass media, Television journalists, Washington Metropolitan Area, McLaughin, John
http://www.readabstracts.com/Travel-recreation-and-leisure/Our-limo-is-here-how-to-rent-a-limousine-without-being-taken-for-a-ride-part-2.html
MADem
(135,425 posts)If I ever find it, I'll make a digital copy next time!!
csziggy
(34,136 posts)I wonder if he is the same guy that is an author. His bio says he worked on PBS: http://www.tomlowebooks.com/bio
That Tom Lowe has a contact [age - maybe you could see if he is the same person.
MADem
(135,425 posts)Gabi Hayes
(28,795 posts)Lowe
My library is looking for back copies. If they can find a way to get one, I'll put it up
MADem
(135,425 posts)(perhaps still is) something else. The author's descriptions of his experiences were so vivid, you were able to really appreciate them. I can't believe it was nearly TWENTY years ago that I first read that thing! I've never forgotten it!
It's the quintessential example of a DU "Good Read!"
Response to MADem (Reply #15)
Name removed Message auto-removed
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)... but onlty if you are a Zombie pundit.
Ex Lurker
(3,813 posts)She said they were all lunatics except Eleanor Clift, (is she even on any more?) who was nice.
Renew Deal
(81,856 posts)She seems really nice and will defend the Democratic cause when needed.