John McLaughlin, conservative political host and creator of the long-running Sunday panel show The McLaughlin Group, died at age 89 on Tuesday morning, according to a Facebook post on the program's page.
McLaughlin missed the show's Sunday taping this past weekend for the first time since the series began more than 34 years ago due to illness. The McLaughlin Group didn't state a cause of death in its message.
The syndicated talk show paved the way for today's panel-style political talk shows featuring pundits and journalists.
"My feeling is talk shows have not kept pace with the breakthroughs and changes in format in television generally," McLaughlin told The Associated Press in 1986. "I began the group as a talk show of the '90s."
McLaughlin created the show in 1982 after serving as a Jesuit priest and teacher.
Broadcast personalities honored McLaughlin's legacy on Tuesday evening.
John McLaughlin's legacy and influence can be seen on at least five cable channels daily. He changed political TV. Right? or WRONG!!?? RIP
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) August 16, 2016
RIP John McLaughlin. My parents made us watch him every week which made the SNL sketches all the sweeter.
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) August 16, 2016
Sad condolences on passing of John McLaughlin @McLaughlinGroup. Extraordinary person. Sharp wit. Great knowledge. Conservative. #RIP
— Larry Kudlow (@larry_kudlow) August 16, 2016