So, all distractions and relief about it not being guitarist McLaughlin… is there any further information about the TV one?
I watch the show most weeks, it’s on Sunday at noon here. I just watched this weeks show. I agree he’s been looking increasingly weak over the last couple months or so. Still sharp mentally. The voice overs he did this week sounded bad and barely understandable.
He did a show a few weeks ago with his dog on his lap. Didn’t remember ever seeing that before.
I hope he improves and returns to the show.
This story has a (rather generic) statement:
He really is an amazing political analyst.
I wish him well and hope that he gets better soon. 
If you so desire, you can watch the entire episode here: The McLaughlin Group 8/12/16 - YouTube
It’s astounding that McLaughlin is 89 and this is only his first absence in 34 years. That’s one heck of a commitment to the show must go on.
I hope this isn’t anything too serious.
Best wishes and Get well soon John.
John McLaughlin, the political pundit, has died, according to MSNBC.
The story is breaking on Twitter now.
NBC Nightly News is reporting his death.
https://twitter.com/NBCNightlyNews?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author
He had quite a long and colorful career. First as a Jesuit Priest and then Political Commentator. I always found his analysis very interesting and thought provoking. Even when I didn’t agree with his conclusions.
RIP John
I wonder if this will end the McLaughlin Group?
The cast is up there in age. Eleanor Clift is 76, Pat Buchanan 77, Clarence Page 69, Mort Zuckerman 79
It was an intelligent group that ably sparred with McLaughlin for 34 years. McLaughlin often questioned them just like he did with his students in the Jesuit schools decades earlier.
Aw nuts. That was a depressing way to reach the end of the thread.
This news has totally messed up the custom John McLaughlin section in my Google news feed.
Fox News didn’t put John’s death at the top of their page. I’m quite surprised. McLaughlin has been a staunch Republican since his days as Nixon’s speechwriter. But, he didn’t always support all the party’s positions. He was very much a man with his own opinions.
There is a link on Fox’s page. Halfway down.
Dammit.
I can’t help but think he stared at us all as he left and said, “bye-Bye…”
A great host, and funny too. 
RIP, John. You will be missed.
Bye-bye, Mr. McLaughlin.
I’m sorry. I said a short good bye… and I can’t let it go at that.
I’m sorry that we lost John McLaughlin. He was an irreplaceable national treasure.
I’m sorry that so much weight is now going to be shuffled & shoved onto Eleanor Clift’s shoulders… without even One sorry-assed semi-worthy SOB standing up to even try to help.
(…and don’t you Dare raise your hand Pat Buchanan!)
In my life… what great people I’ve known… and ALL of them knew the value of John McLaughlin. They didn’t always agree with him… and there where times when I disagreed with him too.
But through it all I learned what those people Always knew: John Always Asked The Right Questions.
John, you loveable surly old curmudgeon you… you forgot the first rule of running a business!
You always Mentor a replacement… for when you retire…
RIP, John McLaughlin. I have lots of respect for the man, will miss him.
He died from the progression of prostate cancer; his panelists knew how ill he was. This link is a good Daily Beast tribute article by Eleanor Clift.
Damn, I suspected that would be the case. Here’s to hoping that Eleanor or someone (yeah, certainly not Pat) can fill his shoes.
Just curious, did all PBS stations this week show a 1983 recording of the McLaughlin Group recorded in Chicago? I wonder if this was unique to WTTW Chicago since this particular show was recorded here.