John McLaughlin, the long-time host of The McLaughlin Group, has passed away at the age of 89, Variety reports.

The conservative political commentator created the syndicated talk show in 1982.

Born in Rhode Island, McLaughlin was raised in a Catholic family and was ordained as a priest in 1959. Eventually, he began a career in politics, becoming a speechwriter for President Nixon and an editor for National Review.

In 1982, he launched The McLaughlin Group, a talk show that features a roundtable of four guests—typically two conservative, two liberal—discussing current events. The show became so widespread that Saturday Night Live aired a parody of the host with Dana Carvey as McLaughlin.

Throughout his long and varied career, McLaughlin also hosted other TV shows, including John McLaughlin’s One on One, a CNBC nightly talk show, and McLaughlin Special Report on MSNBC.

From The McLaughlin Group‘s Facebook page:

As a former Jesuit priest, teacher, pundit and news host, John touched many lives. For 34 years, ‘The McLaughlin Group’ informed millions of Americans. Now he has said bye bye for the last time, to rejoin his beloved dog, Oliver, in heaven. He will always be remembered.”

What do you think? Did you watch The McLaughlin Group? Are you sad about McLaughlin’s passing?