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.

 

1987 Episodes  Click an episode title for more information.
Family Portraits: 1: Whit's Visitor 2: Dental Dilemma 3: The New Kid in Town 4: No Stupid Questions 5: You're Not Going to Believe This... 6: My Brother's Keeper 7: While Dad's Away	8: The Letter 9: A Different Kind of Peer Pressure 10: In Memory of Herman 11: A Member of the Family I 12: A Member of the Family II 13: A Simple Addition	Odyssey USA: 1: Whit's Flop 2: The Life of the Party 3: Lights Out At Whit's End 4: Connie Comes to Town 5: Gifts for Madge and Guy 6: The Day After Christmas

 

FP #1 Whit's Visitor	| Review This Episode!
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 Preview:   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. Our Rating:   Included in Collection: Just in Time (#9)
FP #2 Dental Dilemma	| Review This Episode!
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: A boy plants fear in the heart of his younger sister as she anticipates her first major dental appointment. Unfortunately for him, his plans backfire. Preview:   Our Rating:   Included in Collection: The Lost Episodes
FP #3 The New Kid in Town	| Review This Episode!
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.   Preview: Our Rating:   Included in Collection: Not included in a collection
FP #4 No Stupid Questions	| Review This Episode!
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: Many people don't want to be bothered with a youngster's constant stream of stupid questions. But some do. Whit makes a perfect match in this sensitive story of mutual understanding.   Preview: Our Rating:   Included in Collection: The Lost Episodes
FP #5 You're Not Going to Believe This...	| Review This Episode!
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   Preview: 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. Our Rating:   Included in Collection: Not included in a collection
FP #6 My Brother's Keeper	| Review This Episode!
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.   Preview: Our Rating:   Included in Collection: The Lost Episodes
FP #7 While Dad's Away	| Review This Episode!
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.   Preview: Our Rating:   Included in Collection: Not included in a collection
FP #8 The Letter	| Review This Episode!
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.   Preview: Our Rating:   Included in Collection: Meanwhile, In Another Part of Town (#14)
FP #9 A Different Kind of Peer Pressure	| Review This Episode!
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.   Preview: Our Rating:   Included in Collection: Not included in a collection
FP #10 In Memory of Herman	| Review This Episode!
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.   Preview: Our Rating: Fan Reviews   Included in Collection: Not included in a collection
FP #11 A Member of the Family I	| Review This Episode!
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: When Whit's grandson Monty arrives for a summer in Odyssey, the family finds they are in for more trouble—and more healing—than they expected.   Preview: Our Rating:   Included in Collection: The Adventure Begins (#1)
FP 12 A Member of the Family II	| Review This Episode!
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: When Whit's grandson Monty arrives for a summer in Odyssey, the family finds they are in for more trouble—and more healing—than they expected.   Preview: Our Rating:   Included in Collection: The Adventure Begins (#1)
FP #13 A Simple Addition	| Review This Episode!
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: Elementary-schooler Nicky is upset that his baby sister is taking his parents' attention away from him.   Preview: Our Rating:   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	| Review This Episode!
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: Davey Holcomb, a young boy with a reputation for making mistakes, learns that there's a positive side to failure. Preview:     Our Rating: Read Our Review Fan Reviews   Included in Collection: The Adventure Begins (#1)
OUSA #2 The Life of the Party	| Review This Episode!
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 Moorhead's friends like having him around because he makes them laugh. But then Craig faces a problem that isn't funny at all when his parents want to move.   Preview:   Our Rating:   Included in Collection: The Adventure Begins (#1)
OUSA #3 Lights Out At Whit's End	| Review This Episode!
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 power failure leaves the kids at Whit's End without anything to do. That is, until Whit shows them what life was like without electricity...and how much fun it could be!   Preview:   Our Rating: Read Our Review   Included in Collection: Not included in a collection
OUSA #4 Connie Comes to Town	| Review This Episode!
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: Even though Connie Kendall has just moved into Odyssey, she can hardly wait to go back to California…and Bobby has secretly made up his mind that he's going with her.   Preview:   Our Rating:   Included in Collections: The Adventure Begins (#1), Discovering Odyssey (Special)
OUSA #5 Gifts for Madge and Guy	| Review This Episode!
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 tells the kids his own "fractured" version of a famous Christmas story, starring an unusual couple named Madge and Guy.   Preview:   Our Rating:   Included in Collections: The Adventure Begins (#1), AIO Encore Collection (Special), Christmas Classics (Special)
OUSA #6 The Day After Christmas	| Review This Episode!
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: The morning after Christmas, a young girl who's already bored with her presents wanders into Whit's End looking for something to do.   Preview:   Our Rating:   Included in Collections: The Adventure Begins (#1), A Christmas Odyssey (Special)

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