Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Bye Bye, John

My close friend and defining mentor,  Dr. John McLaughlin, passed away peacefully this morning. He is now in heaven with his beloved pet dog, Oliver. It is hard for me to express how much John meant to me, but in the days ahead I will try to do so. Professionally, by employing me as a panelist and producer on his show for two years, he gave me huge exposure and development as a journalist. At a personal level, he was a wonderful advisor and one of my closest friends. Our conversations were frequently humorous, often serious, and occasionally profanity-laden (when he didn't like one of my scripts!!). I will miss him greatly. Below are some of my time-linked exchanges with Dr. McLaughlin - in chronological order - that I most enjoyed.

August 1st 2014 - 6m0s - ''Do you enjoy all this happy talk?''. JM's first question on my first appearance on the show.

November 14th 2014 - 13m02s - ''Rogan is Right, Bye! Bye!''. A simple sentence, but it meant a lot to me.

June 12th 2015 - 5m18s - John tests me on Jeb Bush's visit to Estonia. I love his insistence in trying to catch me out, but also being proud of me for getting the answer right!

June 12th 2015 show - 11m46s - In another Jesuit teaching endeavor in the same show, John tests me on my knowledge of Russian geography. He jokes that I get my atlas out every night!

July 4th 2015 show - 6m51s - I tease John about listening in to his conversations. His laugh is great.

October 23rd 2015 show - 18m21s -  During a discussion on U.S.-Canadian relations, John teases me about my visits to Canada. I was visiting an ex-girlfriend! I love this clip because it shows JM's teasing sense of humor. Eleanor tries to talk about the issue and he presses home on his teasing!

November 13th 2015 show - 7m10s - John teases me about my green socks. My dress sense - or lack thereof - was a frequent off camera point of conversation between us.

November 13th 2015 show - 26m11s - John offers an exceptionally kind tribute to my grandfather. This showed how much John cared for me and my family.

March 4th 2016 show - 19m39s - Teasing John about his test questions and efforts to throw panelists off balance. His smirk and rebuttal are priceless.

April 15th 2016 - 26m23s - I tease John on his reluctance to make a forced prediction. We then joke about Jesuit teaching. The back and forth here is quite funny.

April 22nd 2016 show - 3m02s - John tests me on my knowledge of Afghanistan. Quite a lot of viewers felt he was being rude to me here, but I loved it. It epitomized the nature of our relationship.

August 12th 2016 show - 11m54s - This clip doesn't involve Dr. M. But in allowing me to introduce Pat Buchanan to an issue on his show, and then to debate aggressively on equal footing with Pat, it illustrates just how important John will always be to my career.

August 12th 2016 show - 27m07s - Sending our best to John at the end of the most recent show. I was told John was touched by this. That comforts me. Bye Bye, John.

24 comments:

  1. Rest in peace Dr. McLaughlin. Your group kept me informed and educated for years and I truly appreciate it.

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  2. RIP Dr. McLaughlin. You've been a Sunday morning tradition for many years who will surely be missed. Condolences Tom.

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  3. Part of my weekend tv ritual for years. Wash Week and McLaughlin Group....will never be the same. Hope you guys carry on in his memory!!

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  4. I watched McLaughlin since it began in 1982. I really enjoyed the topics, analysis and options. It was always interesting and thought provoking.

    It was fun to see you on the show with him. I'm sorry you lost a great friend.

    Best.

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  5. Great job last week Tom. We were all praying for John may he RIP. Condolences to u and panel esp Eleanor and Pat.

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  6. Sorry for ur loss Tom. We were all praying for John may he RIP. His voice of reason will be missed. Special condolences to Eleanor and Pat for us.

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  7. Tom, Dr. McLaughlin looked at you as a father looks at a precious son. There is no greater compliment than that!

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  8. Thank you John. Sundays will not be the same without you.

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  9. So sad...bye bye Dr. M

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  10. The mumbling segment was memorable. Text message from a friend who is a reporter: "John would eat me alive. Last week he chastised some British guy for muttering and then proceeded to mumble himself."

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  11. Really enjoyed the show about your Grandfather and I thought John must be a really nice person to include that in the show. It was so nice.

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  12. I'm not sure if you included it with your video clips, but a few weeks back you gripped Dr. Mclaughlin's hand at the very end of the show. It was so touching and kind. I've loved the show - and host - for years, it was so hard to see him ailing. Your gesture was kind and memorable. It really captured how it feels to watch a loved one age.

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  13. I'm not sure if you included it with your video clips, but a few weeks back you gripped Dr. Mclaughlin's hand at the very end of the show. It was so touching and kind. I've loved the show - and host - for years, it was so hard to see him ailing. Your gesture was kind and memorable. It really captured how it feels to watch a loved one age.

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  14. I am 45 and have been a fan of the show since day one (yes- I started at age 12- watching with my dad). I loved Dr. McLaughlin, may he rest in peace. And I've greatly enjoyed Tom's presence and contributions over the last few years. Condolences and best wishes. /Marcus T.

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  15. Thank you for those kind words, Tom. I've been watching for years and we viewers know what a one of a kind John was. Rogan is right. God bless and 'bye 'bye.

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  16. Thank you Dr John McLaughlin for your enlightenment, and inspiration. I will forever miss your wit and banter. I find myself realizing that I am growing old, as I say Good Bye and Farewell to many icons of my youth. May peace be with you as you journey to that great round table in Heaven.

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  17. I don't watch much television because almost all of what is on is pure rubbish. However, the one show that I consistently watched was The McLaughlin Group. I couldn't wait to sit down, hit play on that week's recorded program and watch everyone rip into each other! I truly loved the program and everyone's intellectual contribution. Sir Tom, you were a super addition to the show and lowered the average age by a few decades. In all seriousness though, as my Tuesday, August 16 slowly comes to its Pacific Standard Time end, I will go to bed with a sorrowful heart. Please accept my sincere condolences Tom, Pat, Eleanor and Clarence...my t.v. friends. Rest in Peace Dr. John McLaughlin.

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  18. Rest in peace Dr. McLaughlin. Love this show. In my forties and have been watching since I was a teen. Grateful to have learned more about Tom Rogan as well. Will follow his career with great interest.

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  19. Your show was a gift for more than three decades - always informative and enjoyable. Thank you Dr. John McLaughlin. RIP

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  20. Anyone who luvs dogs the way John did has a heart of gold.......will miss you n your show........Bye Bye!!

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  21. Touching tribute to the divine and profound DrM, the smartest guy on tv. He will be missed. RIP

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  22. Mr. Rogan, your genuine thoughts of "the best to John" was wonderful. Dr. Mclauglin delivered our College Commencement Speech at The Jesuit Canisius College in 1985. He was commanding in speech. I've been watching Dr. McLauglin and his ensemble of panelist since 1985. Bye Bye John. Eleanor, Pat, Clarence, and Mr. Zuckerman you are great.

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  23. Dear Tom Rogan, I'm sure your addition to TMG panel was something Dr. McLaughlin (and John Roberts) did not make lightly. You could tell JM was very proud of you and probably could see some of his same qualities when he was your age. And now that this tremendous legend is no longer with us, what better way to honor him than to try to continue his legacy in some form or other. We need a program like TMG Tom. If they're not open to continuing TMG you're in the driver's seat to start your legacy. How proud would JM be knowing that what he started lives on. The 2 & 2 format creates a great balance of opinions, and your youthful perspective is a very welcome asset. Keep up the great work Tom.

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