"The McLaughlin Group" (1982) TV series

Director:

Sheldon Schwartz

Seasons:

unknown

Genre:

News | Talk-Show

Plot:

This PBS news/talk-show presents several journalists involved in spirited discussions of topics in current events...

Plot Keywords:

Current Affairs | Politics | Non Fiction | Character Name In Title

US TV Schedule:

Sun. June 3	11:30 AM	CBS
Sun. June 10	11:30 AM	CBS

Cast

John McLaughlin	...	Himself - Host / ... (277 episodes, 1997-2012)
Eleanor Clift	...	Herself (261 episodes, 2007-2012)
Pat Buchanan	...	Himself (235 episodes, 2007-2012)
Monica Crowley	...	Herself (167 episodes, 2007-2011)

Series Directed by
Sheldon Schwartz		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
John McLaughlin	....	executive producer (69 episodes, 1994-2008)
Laura Hockridge	....	segment producer (unknown episodes, 1997)
Colin Van Ostern	....	consulting producer (unknown episodes, 2000)
Allison Butler	....	managing producer (unknown episodes)
Mark Churchill	....	video producer (unknown episodes)
Alice Dunscomb	....	segment producer (unknown episodes)
Shane Ham	....	segment producer (unknown episodes)
Sharon Kehnemui	....	segment producer (unknown episodes)
Scott McLucas	....	segment producer (unknown episodes)
Ed Menaker	....	co-executive producer (unknown episodes)
Adam Nixon	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Scott Sforza	....	senior producer (unknown episodes)
Jennifer Weems	....	segment producer (unknown episodes)
Julie Zann	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Robert B. Henning	....	lighting technician (1 episode, 1998)

Series Editorial Department
Roy S. McKay Jr.	....	editor: video tape (unknown episodes)
Ted Stewart	....	editor: video tape (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Elizabeth Reeder	....	director of business affairs (unknown episodes, 1994-1996)
Colin Van Ostern	....	production assistant (unknown episodes, 1999)
Mark Churchill	....	senior video producer (unknown episodes)
Steve Cohn	....	web site producer (unknown episodes)
Alice Danscomb	....	research director (unknown episodes)
Justin Del Sesto	....	director of business affairs (unknown episodes)
Joelle Goode	....	video producer (unknown episodes)
Shana Potash	....	video producer (unknown episodes)
Randall Stafford	....	technical director (unknown episodes)
Christina Vidal McLaughlin	....	vice president of operations (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Oliver Productions Inc.
• The Chicago Production Center
• WTTW National Productions

Distributors

• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
• CNBC (2007-) (South Africa) (TV)

Other Companies

• Sonic Images  music by
• WRC  videotaped at

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Company:

Oliver Productions Inc.

Trivia:

Chicago columnist Mike Royko often referred to the show as The McGoofy Group.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Wild Rebels (#3.7)" (1990)

Shouting Match or Civil Discussion?

"The McLaughlin Group" was the first of the political "round table" shows. I like the fact that they address important issues of the day, and that the group members seem to be very well-informed.

However, the show quickly gets on my nerves when the panelists constantly shout and interrupt each other. It seems like none of them ever listen to the other participants. Each of the panelists, especially Mr. McLaughlin, comes across as extremely biased and unwilling to consider any other point of view. I also don't like the episodes when all the panelists hold essentially the same views and gang up on a person in the news. They also condemn individuals who disagree with them in any way. What about the issues? Aren't people entitled to hold an opinion differing from that of the panelists? Why not focus on the issues rather than personalities? Aren't there two sides to every story?

This show sets a bad example by pushing simple answers to complex problems and by drowning out any other opinion than the week's "party line."

I would find civil discussion much more challenging to the viewers. Commentators should encourage people to think for themselves.

How about polite forums on the issues, where all sides are represented and the panelists respect other peoples' right to hold differing opinions. We have freedom of speech in America. But obviously not on this show.