Mike Barnicle—who is a confirmed fabricator and plagiarist, as well as being a toxic race-baiter and a suck-up to a psychopathic murderer—wants to share the word that this week's trouble at the New York Times is "an embarrassment to journalism."

Joe Scarborough's genial sausage-and-Starbucks-fest Morning Joe took on even more of a frat-dude vibe this morning as all the guys snickered about a "pearl necklace" while the lone lady, Mika Brzezinski was left wondering what was so funny. Poor, Mika.

The moderator's chair was empty as Tom Brokaw and Meet the Press vets James Carville, Mary Matalin, Mike Barnacle, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Gwen Ifil, Maria Shriver and the show's executive producer Betsy Fischer gathered to celebrate the life of their old friend. Clip after the jump.

Last week we shocked ourselves—and others—by actually enjoying Keach Hagey's Village Voice Press Clips column. Would this bonhomie survive another week? You can probably guess, but you might as well click through anyway for the full report.