It's amazing that the McLaughlin Group is still on with pretty much the same panel

[Renew Deal]

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]

1. You couldn't find anything else interesting to watch either, huh?

1000 freaking cable channels and the only thing remotely interesting is McLaughlin Group.

[Renew Deal]

2. It was the last channel I watched last night.

So I left it on out of nostalgia.

Bye Byeeeee

[ChisolmTrailDem]

3. So, a "Dr. Who" fan, are we? nt

[Renew Deal]

4. Sports

[ChisolmTrailDem]

5. There was sports on PBS last night? nt

[Renew Deal]

6. It's on CBS in NY

I think it used to be NBC

[thesquanderer]

7. Jack Germond, Morton Kondracke, Fred Barnes were long time regulars.

But yeah, except for Tom Rogan, those others have been around pretty much forever. Mort Zuckerman, too.

[MADem]

16. Jack Germond--damn, he could certainly call 'em as he saw 'em.

He also didn't hesitate to tell The Lord And Master, McLaughlin, to stuff it!! RIP, Jack...!

[MADem]

8. Years ago, in WASHINTONIAN magazine, there was a WONDERFUL

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).

There was an article by a hapless staffer who used to work for that baaastid that appeared in Washingtonian Magazine in the mid nineties, entitled "Get In Here, Cement Head!"

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]

12. Found an abstract of the article which gives exactly which issue

It was in:

"Get in here, cement head." (John McLaughin in the office and at home)

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]

13. It was a truly WONDERFUL read!!! 1996!!!

If I ever find it, I'll make a digital copy next time!!

[csziggy]

14. I looked up Tom Lowe

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]

15. Thanks--I just sent him an email...! Hopefully we'll know soon! nt

[Gabi Hayes]

17. only thing I could find was a letter referring to it: August, 96 issue, written by

Lowe

My library is looking for back copies. If they can find a way to get one, I'll put it up

[MADem]

18. That would be great! I think it would give everyone a real laugh. That McLaughlin was

(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!"

[JoePhilly]

9. Proving there will be pundit jobs after the zombie apocolpse ...

... but onlty if you are a Zombie pundit.

[Ex Lurker]

10. I know someone who used to work on that show back in the day

She said they were all lunatics except Eleanor Clift, (is she even on any more?) who was nice.

[Renew Deal]

11. She was there today

She seems really nice and will defend the Democratic cause when needed.