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1987

 

The Beginning of an Extraordinary Journey

In 1987, "Family Portraits" was created by Focus on the Family as a test series to see if radio drama would catch on as a form of entertainment. This was the beginnings of the popular show, Adventures in Odyssey. "Family Portraits" provided a family-oriented alternative to questionable media on television. "Family Portraits" is not available, although some episodes have been released in The Gold Audio Series.

 

FP #1 Whit's Visitor

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Original Air Date: 1/05/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designers: Steve Harris, Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Malachi 2:13-17

Theme: Divorce


Summary:

When a boy named Davey Morrison shows up at John Avery Whittaker's door, Whit becomes curious and learns about a family situation at the child's home.


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Included in Collection: Just in Time (#9)

 


 

FP #2 Dental Dilemma

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Original Air Date: 1/12/87
Writer: Susan McBride

Directors: Chuck Bolte, Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Psalm 27:1

Theme: Teasing, dealing with fear


Summary:

When Emily Forbes' dentist finds out that Emily's brother has been terrorizing her into thinking that the dentist is going to pull all her teeth out, he and Emily prepare a plan of their own to show her brother a thing or two.


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Included in Collection: The Lost Episodes (Gold Audio Series)

 


 

FP #3 The New Kid in Town

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Original Air Date: 1/19/87
Writer: Phil Lollar

Directors: Chuck Bolte, Steve Harris
Sound Designers: Steve Harris, Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Proverbs 18:24

Theme: Making new friends


Summary:

Shawn walk needs some help, so Whit decides to dress up as a man in need. By doing this, Whit is helping Shawn to realize that he needs help and needs to stop holding back.


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Included in Collection: Not included in a collection

 


 

FP #4 No Stupid Questions

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Original Air Date: 1/26/87
Writer: Susan McBride

Director: Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Proverbs 18:15

Theme: Respect for the handicapped, the value of seeking knowledge


Summary:

Noticing that Meg Stevens sure likes to ask a lot of questions, Mr. Whittaker decides to make the two become friends.


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Included in Collection: The Lost Episodes (Gold Audio Series)

 


 

FP #5 You're Not Going to Believe This...

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Original Air Date: 2/02/87
Writer: Phil Lollar

Director: Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Proverbs 18:7, Proverbs 22:1

Theme: Integrity


Summary:

Budgie tells a lot of lies, and his cousin Jamie feels he can't trust his cousin anymore. Whit helps both Jamie and Budgie with their problems.


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Included in Collection: Not included in a collection

 


 

FP #6 My Brother's Keeper

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Original Air Date: 2/16/87
Writer: Paul McCusker

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Proverbs 12:18

Theme: Sibling conflict


Summary:

Unfortunately, some people have to learn the hard way that they love their siblings. Phillip learns a lesson about love and patience when his brother Dean turns up missing.


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Included in Collection: The Lost Episodes (Gold Audio Series)

 


 

FP #7 While Dad's Away

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Original Air Date: 3/02/87
Writer: Phil Lollar

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Scripture: Malachi 4:6

Theme: Absentee fathers


Summary:

Mike learns a lesson about the importance of being a loving parent when Whit tells the story of a family whose father is away from home more than he should be.


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Included in Collection: Not included in a collection

 


 

FP #8 The Letter

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Original Air Date: 3/09/87
Writer: Steve Harris

Director: Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Ephesians 6:1-4

Theme: Teen communication


Summary:

Stacy and her father are angry with one another. However, both enemies find letters to each other, telling each other how much they love each other.


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Included in Collection: Meanwhile, In Another Part of Town (#14)

 


 

FP #9 A Different Kind of Peer Pressure

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Original Air Date: 3/16/87
Writer: Steve Harris

Director: Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Theme: Peer pressure


Summary:

Blair and Hudson have issues. Blair decides not to be friends with someone because they're not popular, while Hudson insults an employee at work because he isn't accepted.


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Included in Collection: Not included in a collection

 


 

FP #10 In Memory of Herman

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Original Air Date: 3/23/87
Writer: Phil Lollar

Director: Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:1-2

Theme: Salvation


Summary:

When the Hardwick family's pet turtle dies, they must learn how to deal with the death of a loved one, even if it is just a pet.


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Fan Reviews

 

Included in Collection: Not included in a collection

 


 

FP #11 A Member of the Family I

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Original Air Date: 3/30/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Susan McBride

Director: Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 3:11-12, Ephesians 6:4

Theme: Discipline, family conflict


Summary:

Whit discovers that his grandson, Monty, is a spoiled brat and seeks to straighten out the boy. However, his relationship with his very own daughter is at stake.


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Included in Collection: The Adventure Begins (#1)

 


 

FP 12 A Member of the Family II

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Original Air Date: 4/06/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Susan McBride

Director: Steve Harris
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 3:11-12, Ephesians 6:4

Theme: Discipline, family conflict


Summary:

Whit discovers that his grandson, Monty, is a spoiled brat and seeks to straighten out the boy. However, his relationship with his very own daughter is at stake.


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Included in Collection: The Adventure Begins (#1)

 


 

FP #13 A Simple Addition

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Original Air Date: 4/13/87
Writer: Susan McBride

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Romans 12:10

Theme: Sibling rivalry


Summary:

Nicky's mother is pregnant with a baby sister, and Nicky doesn't know what to think. In the end, Nicky finds out that it's going to be okay.


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Included in Collection: Not included in a collection

 


 

Because of "Family Portraits'" popularity, the program went on and the name changed to "Odyssey USA."
 

OUSA #1 Whit's Flop

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Original Air Date: 11/21/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell, Steve Harris

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Theme: The importance of failure


Summary:

When Whit notices that Davey Holcomb isn't being accepted by the other kids around him, he decides to boost Davey's self-confidence by helping him invent a machine.


Our Rating:

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Included in Collection: The Adventure Begins (#1)

 


 

OUSA #2 The Life of the Party

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Original Air Date: 11/28/87
Writer: Paul McCusker

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: 1 Samuel 20

Theme: Friendship


Summary:

Craig Moorehead learns the right way to seek friendships when he realizes he's being used by "friends" to have a good laugh.


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Included in Collection: The Adventure Begins (#1)

 


 

OUSA #3 Lights Out At Whit's End

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Original Air Date: 12/05/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Director: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: 1 John 1:7

Theme: Communication, fellowship


Summary:

A celebration is going on at Whit's End and the power goes out. Everyone manages to enjoy the celebration even though electricity is not an option.


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Included in Collection: Not included in a collection

 


 

OUSA #4 Connie Comes to Town

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Original Air Date: 12/12/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Philippians 4:11-12

Theme: Being content


Summary:

Connie Kendall shows in the door of Whit's End just as Whit needs a new employee most. Connie becomes a major character on the show.


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Included in Collections: The Adventure Begins (#1), Discovering Odyssey (Special)

 


 

OUSA #5 Gifts for Madge and Guy

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Original Air Date: 12/19/87
Writers: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-20

Theme: Giving


Summary:

Mr. Whittaker and the gang are setting up the tree at Whit's End, but that's not the only thing that happens. Madge and Guy really know how to give gifts.


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Included in Collections: The Adventure Begins (#1), AIO Encore Collection (Special), Christmas Classics (Special)

 


 

OUSA #6 The Day After Christmas

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Original Air Date: 12/26/87
Writer: Paul McCusker

Directors: Steve Harris, Phil Lollar
Sound Designer: Bob Luttrell

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Theme: Caring for the poor


Summary:

Annie McNeal learns the importance of valuing Jesus' birth all year long when she and Whit take a trip up to a ghetto at Foster Creek.


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Included in Collections: The Adventure Begins (#1), A Christmas Odyssey (Special)

 


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