Should John McLaughlin Retire?

82-year old television host John McLaughlin appeared particularly off his political game this week. He stumbled, mistaking The Economist for an FT magazine to a puzzled-looking FT editor and panelist Chrystia Freeland. And there were many other verbal missteps, gaffes and woozy stumbles on the half-hour McLaughlin Group, which launched in 1982.

As someone who has watched the show off and on -- attending college was the biggest viewing interruption -- for the better part of 20 years (we remember Jack Germond), McLaughlin seemed completely thrown. Granted, anyone can have an off day. And, at 82 the man is perfectly entitled to a benign senior moment of two. But on the show this week the former Jesuit priest seemed what can only be properly construed as "confused." Should the political host throw in the towel? Is it time for the former Nixon speechwriter to enjoy the fruits of his Oliver production company and pass the reins to someone else more lucid?

Comments

[RobinSeattle]

11:35 PM on 04/06/2009

"And there were many other verbal missteps, gaffes and woozy stumbles on the half-hour McLaughlin Group"

But that's always been true. McLaughlin is a pompous rightwing self parody (though I have to say that I sometimes think he knows he's a cartoon and does it just for the lolz). I saw the most recent edition and it was pretty much business as usual.

My late dad used to call shows such as The McLaughlin Group and Crossfire "intellect­ual roller derby."

It's opintainme­nt!

[SouthPrairie]

09:18 PM on 04/06/2009

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I used to enjoy his show, but he cannot seem to control his panel and there is a paternalis­tic alfa male air to it. I swear Elenor can never get a word in edgewise without screeching her point of view.

Then when the presidenti­al campaign heated up, Mclaughlin­s r.a.c.i.a.­l. b.i.a.s.e.­s came through. The screeching I could tolerate if Elenor finally got her view in, but the week after week of Obama bashing got tiredsome and I quit watching. So....

I don't care if he retires, cuz I don't watch anymore.

[mommadona]

08:48 PM on 04/06/2009

I just wish the producers would do their job and make sure everyone gets at least as close to equal time conversing­, rather than trying to outyell each other.

Let him be. He wants to get the last word in.

Producers, do yer duty.

[mediamarv]

06:33 PM on 04/06/2009

If anything I think he's getting better!!
The true inner man is finally breaking free!! He's champion, let him run!

(I gotta knock off all the exclamatio­n marks)