The long time host of the McLaughlin Group – John McLaughlin – died Tuesday. He hosted his show for thirty-four years – never missing an episode until last week.
His pace as a moderator, once parodied on Saturday Night Live by Dana Carvey, slowed in recent years, but was still unique. It is probably fair to argue that McLaughlin helped pave the way for cable television shout matches that are still popular today.
Early in his career, while still an ordained Jesuit priest, McLaughlin taught at Fairfield College Preparatory School in Connecticut. In 1970, he lost a U.S. Senate race in his native Rhode Island running as an anti-war candidate.
