kenschram.jpg
KOMO has bought out Ken Schram's contract after 35 years on TV and radio. (KOMO publicity photo)

KOMO gives Ken Schram the boot after 35 years

BY Josh Kerns  on December 7, 2012 @ 12:39 pm (Updated: 1:42 pm - 12/7/12 )

Seattle broadcast icon Ken Schram is used to giving his "Schrammie" awards for "bone-headed decisions and/or the most appalling of asinine behavior." He might want to give his last one to KOMO, which announced this week it was buying out his contract after a storied 35-year career on KOMO TV and Radio.

While it's little surprise whenever someone gets the boot in the broadcast business, the veteran journalist told KIRO Radio's Ross and Burbank Show he's pretty disappointed it was handled "very coldly".

"I actually got official notification through my agent and have yet to hear anything from corporate here at all. Not a single word," said Schram.

He first joined KOMO 4 News back in 1977 and for decades built a reputation as one of Seattle's most dogged and caustic political reporters and commentators. He'd been doing an afternoon talk show on KOMO Radio until September, and had continued doing his popular Schrammies and other reports for the TV station. But even though his contract runs through December 2013, he said the station bought it out.

Schram said he did have some inkling that change was afoot.

"It was passed through the grapevine, but got unofficial word it might be coming down," he said.

Schram said they didn't give his agent a reason, but he's heard rumblings the station wanted to go younger and cut back on full time employees. His boss, KOMO TV news director and VP of News, Holly Gauntt, told The Seattle Times he possibly could be brought back on a part time basis if he was willing. But Schram doesn't seem very interested.

As he looks back over three-plus decades of covering news, the self-avowed political junkie lamented how much the business has changed since he started.

"I think too much time is given over to house fires where no one's injured and kind of the easy to cover, get out there and get some film, get some quotes. I lament the lack of political insight and coverage that we used to have. I don't think anybody has crews down in Olympia covering the Legislature anymore when they're in session. It's catch as catch can."

While some say the stuff that excited Schram is boring, he challenges the news business to do better.

"I think it's our job to make it not boring. I think it's our job to make it relevant. To put it in the context where people see the importance of what's going on around them."

Schram will deliver his last commentary next Tuesday, then spend the holidays focusing on family before considering his next steps. He hopes his departure doesn't signal a further diminishment of everything he stood for.

"I used to jokingly tell people that I entered this medium as a journalist and my greatest fear is that I would exit as a TV reporter," he said.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (22)


  • Add A Comment

  • ron prevost wrote...
    HEY, KIRO - here is your chance
    December 7, 2012 1:03 pm
    to upgrade the Dave Ross show.

    SERIOUSLY.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    Upgrade it to the level of Dori? Ron and Don?
    December 7, 2012 5:03 pm
    Now that would be a mistake. Faked OUTRAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Dumb and dumber.

    That would bring them in.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    And Luke adds so much what ??????????????
    December 7, 2012 5:49 pm
    Lawn - If you haven't listened to the dialog lately, it's so scripted as to be pathetic. ..... Wouldn't it be nice to bring back the Eastlake Crusaders for Common Sense? Or at least have some spontaneous chatter for a change?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    Yeah, Mr. r I agree, Dave is better on his own
    December 7, 2012 6:18 pm
    But I'm getting on and so are you. We aren't the target demographic anymore.

    Unfortunately.

    And I don't do "the drive".

    Fortunately.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cigarfan wrote...
    At least Dave Ross is in tune.........
    December 7, 2012 5:57 pm
    How many of the conservative hosts got anything in the last election right?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    It's not Ross who is the problem...........
    December 8, 2012 4:43 pm
    But if Dave thinks he needs a partner, at least Schrammie is stable.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Sea-dregs wrote...
    Okay
    December 7, 2012 1:37 pm
    Why is it that when ever Radio execs fire anyone in radio at Christmas time. As a long time talk radio listener I have witnessed this trend of firing eveyone in December.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • happy happy joy joy wrote...
    cutting down full time employees?
    December 7, 2012 2:20 pm
    I wonder if that has anything to do with the new health care laws? A lot of companies are cutting down on full time employees.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • imanegro wrote...
    Adios, chump
    December 7, 2012 2:30 pm
    .
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Robert_C wrote...
    Although....
    December 7, 2012 2:51 pm
    I disagree almost always with the schrammie but his insight as to the covering of the happenings in Olympia are spot on "I don't think anybody has crews down in Olympia covering the Legislature anymore when they're in session." and that is because the one sided view in this one horse town gave up telling the truth years ago. How refreshing would it be if you Mr. Ross would interject some intelligent discussion into your show than your basic glossing and skipping over subjects in a attempt at a drive by shooting ( I know you hate gun's). This brings up your disgraceful coverage of the Jovan Belcher story prostituted by Bob Costas into a political opportunity to discredit firearms rather than focus on the real story ( Domestic Violence) which this clearly was the case. Frankly you sicken me.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Gunther wrote...
    Sad day for Seattle
    December 7, 2012 4:24 pm
    I rarely agreed with Mr. Schram, but enjoyed his ability to make you think about your position. He was always a true professional and deserved better. I will miss listening to his point of view. Best of luck to you.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DavidW wrote...
    No big loss
    December 8, 2012 6:20 pm
    Made sense less than one percent of the time.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • PrinceIBU wrote...
    sad
    December 8, 2012 6:51 pm
    I will miss Ken Schram. Once ESPN reshuffled their shows, I was so thankful to have him as an option to Monson. Ken was not only kind, but sane. But now my curiosity is up about "Flounder". I know someone who has been given that nickname on another public forum, and he posts very much like someone who posted previously in this thread. I'm sure I'm mistaken, but it reminds me to be careful not to repeat my speech patterns...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tlmbrt wrote...
    True journalism
    December 9, 2012 9:50 pm
    is dead, replaced with robotic talking heads who mindlessly spew propaganda and political talking points. "Facts" are not relevant, sources of direct investigation and verification have been largely replaced by idealogue bloggers and websites! The reason many businesses are going "younger" and going to more part-time employees? The costs of OBAMACARE!!!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Lawnie has a real Hard on for firemen as well.
    December 10, 2012 7:42 am
    One of us must have stolen girls from him in the past. Maybe why Willie likes "Sausage fest" so much!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }