Catholic Commentators: Ken Schram and John Carlson

By Linda Thomas

KOMO Commentators Ken Schram (left) and John Carlson disagree about most of the subjects they discuss on their daily radio show, but both have a respect for each other and for their Catholic faith. Photo: Linda Thomas

The self-described “radio odd couple” with a daily show on KOMO-AM 1000 are a study in opposites.

John Carlson wears a tailored shirt, tie and pressed slacks. Ken Schram is dressed in a casual short-sleeve shirt and slightly rumpled pants.

Carlson uses a yellow highlighter to go over his notes during commercial breaks, while Schram glances at a stack of papers and then disappears for a cigarette break. Carlson speaks in complete sentences; Schram is more likely to spout off with the comment, “That really gets my BVDs in a bunch.”

But for all their differences – including the fact that Carlson is a politically conservative talk show host on KVI Talk Radio 570 and Schram is a liberal television commentator for KOMO 4 News – they have at least a couple of things in common. The two men share a radio program from 10 a.m. until noon each weekday and both are Catholic.

“Even with our faith we’re very different Catholics,” said Schram.

“Ken is in many ways more traditional than I am with respect to religion,” Carlson explained.
“He’s a pre-Vatican II Catholic and I went to school right after Vatican II when church rules were more relaxed.”

“The church is too relaxed,” Schram interjected.

Schram grew up in The Bronx borough of New York and went to Catholic schools until he was kicked out of high school. He won’t say why. But he is outspoken on church issues. He thinks the pope should consider allowing priests to marry and women to become priests. However, he feels it is not appropriate for lay ministers to serve the Eucharist.

“That’s what makes Ken so totally unique,” said Carlson. “He believes it’s okay for women to be priests, but it’s not okay for anyone to be a lay minister.”

“I’m a walking, talking dichotomy,” Schram acknowledged. “I’ve always separated the faith aspect of what Catholicism represents from the political or social side of the Church and I don’t apologize for my views.”

They agree 25 percent of the time, maybe less

Articulate, intelligent and befuddled are the words Schram used to characterize his co-host. Carlson described Schram as impish, irrepressible and fun to work with. For the record, Carlson also called his partner “childlike” but that lead to a debate about whether Schram was childlike or childish. They settled on impish.

Since the KOMO Commentators radio show started four months ago, Carlson and Schram have debated hundreds of topics.

During each two hour show they discuss 12 news issues. Subjects on a recent show included: a study that claims strict parents raise overweight children; the Mariners; the sale of a popular tavern in the University District; and medical privacy laws.

Their most heated debates have been about gay marriage and Tent City, the temporary camp for homeless men and women.

Schram said they have opposing views 80 percent of the time (75 percent according to Carlson), but they’re able to explain their opinions without screaming at each other or getting angry.

“It’s like when you’re sitting around the Thanksgiving table with Uncle Rupert. You like the guy even though you disagree with him,” said Schram. “John and I genuinely like each other and we try to have intelligent conversations.”

“I think people like hearing both sides of an issue but they’re tired of the shouting and the ‘I’m right you’re evil’ mentality of most talk shows,” Carlson added.

Turn on the radio and think

Their goal with the program – which includes interviews with newsmakers but no calls from listeners – is to entertain, educate and “get people thinking.”

The KOMO Commentators’ popularity will have its first test in July when Arbitron, the company that measures radio audiences, releases its report. Both hosts say they’ve had positive feedback from listeners. And program manager Dennis Kelly said the new show is gaining an audience.

“The program appeals to both news junkies and talk show lovers alike,” said Kelly, Program Director for Fisher Communications’ AM radio stations.

Kelly, also Catholic, admitted to “uttering a prayer that Ken will watch his language and John will keep a compassionate heart.”

Occasional distasteful language isn’t the concern about Schram, who has a devious habit of trying to make Carlson laugh when he reads live commercials. Schram resorts to tearing up papers, flicking paper clips or making faces and 50 percent of the time he causes Carlson to make a mistake (less than 25 percent according to Carlson).

“Can you believe what I have to put up with while I’m trying to serve our clients and listeners?” asked Carlson.

“You love it,” said Schram.