Former OPC President Remembers John McLaughlin

John McLaughlin poses on the red carpet during a White House Correspondents’ dinner in Washington, DC in 2009. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Niche Media

John McLaughlin poses on the red carpet during a White House Correspondents’ dinner in Washington, DC in 2009. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Niche Media

By John Corporon

In 1969 or 1970, I hired John McLaughlin (a speech writer for President Nixon) to do commentary on WTOP’s news programs. As general manager of WTOP, I employed commentators of liberal and conservative persuasion. McLaughlin has received great and deserved praise for his program “The McLaughlin Group.” His stable of journalists debated issues of the day. Some of his admirers said his program was the first of its kind. As good as it was, it was not the first.

In 1969 or 1970, WTOP’s executive producer John Baker and I developed a unique news program called “Argonsky and Company.” Former network star Martin Argonsky hosted the Saturday evening program, which featured several top of the line journalists in Washington chewing over the national and international issues of the day. It was quite popular, and a few years later the program was syndicated to a large number of stations around the country.

Did I mention that one of Argonsky’s regular guests, James J. Kilpatrick, went on to be a regular guest commentator on “60 Minutes”? Roone Arledge while head of ABC Sunday talk panel featuring David Brinkley, which also featured a top notch host and journalists of varying ideological persuasion.

Another unique news program was created in 1967 when I was head of Metromedia’s (now Fox) news operation. I created a format featuring Evans and Novak. On a Sunday show they would interview a big name guest in Washington. Following the interview, Evans and Novak would add their own 2 cents worth – often disagreeing along ideological lines. TIME magazine cited “Evans and Novak” and a breakthrough program. TV news talkers are forgiven for thinking and saying that “The McLaughlin Group” was the first of its kind. They are too young (lucky for them) to remember.

John McLaughlin died on Aug. 16 at his home in Washington. DC after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 89.