August 2008
SUNDAY, AUGUST
31, 2008
Extra! Extra!
Article with Tim Peterson
On August 16th, a large (and I do
mean large) group of AIO fans got together to witness the
live Birthday Bash in Colorado Springs. Now, one of those
eyewitnesses has his story to tell in our latest
Extra! Extra! article!
Tim Peterson, a very good friend,
has helped behind-the-scenes with the Odyssey Scoop for several
years with script issues, technical details, etc. Now, he's
excited to tell you his adventures in Odyssey - er, Colorado.
It's an article you won't want to miss!
Also today, I'm proud to release
13 new pieces of AIO-related
artwork by the
Scoop artist over at our Chicken Soup
section! Who wouldn't want to see a picture of Connie and Mitch
roller skating, Eugene making paper airplanes in Africa, or
Jared DeWhite's chainsaw cutting through a wedding cake? Don't
miss this update, and the aforementioned article! Call it an end
of summer special.
FRIDAY, AUGUST
29, 2008
Episodes Remodel
Today I'm very pleased to
announce, after a very long, grueling,
never-want-to-go-through-again experience, that the
Episodes section has been reformatted and
the tweaking has been completed. Now the episodes are all up to
date with far more information than we had provided in the past.
We plan on updating as episodes become available to keep you
informed. Go bask in all the hard work.
More things are in store to improve this section, but that will
be announced later. And, just a thought... never take on a
project like this for yourself. About 650
episodes is absolutely painful. I think I have a headache.
Excedrin anyone?
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST
27, 2008
Confession Time
So
yeah, I'm willing to admit that I finished reading all 500+
pages of The
Official Guide in only a day and a half. Either I had
nothing better to do those days or the book really was that
interesting. Yep, I'm willing to admit that it really was that interesting. All my confessions have been laid out
clearly in my review of this wonderful book over at the
appropriate product page.
If you're looking for something to do while we wait for new AIO
episodes, I think I have the perfect solution. Just start
reading.
Don't forget we just answered 64
of your Odyssey questions at AIO F.A.Q.,
and you can also vote in our latest
poll about Kidsboro! Also,
we're working on a major reformatting of the
Episodes section. Years 1990-2008 feature a new look so far
with tons more information. I hope to have the other pages
finished one day.
SATURDAY, AUGUST
23, 2008
64 Reasons to Visit AIO F.A.Q.
As promised, the
AIO F.A.Q. section is updated with - get this - 64 new
answers to your Adventures in Odyssey questions! Along
with this huge update, I gave the section a long-needed
makeover. It was time to do a little housekeeping, get rid of
some redundant questions, and reorganize. And now, those 64
reasons are tucked inside, waiting for you to enter within its
walls. You certainly don't want to miss out on learning how much
Eugene weighs, whether or not Whit makes mistakes, or even the
possibility that Connie lives next to one of Mitch's relatives!
Head on over now!
I'm
also pleased to release the brand-new cover art for
Through Thick & Thin, audio
collection #30. The cover features one of Odyssey's more
famous comedic scenes. You know the one. Yes, Eugene is playing
a game of chess and freaking out because he's actually losing.
This release is scheduled for October 2008. Hold on tight.
Re-releases for albums 19,
21, and
25 will also be out in stores
by the end of the year! For an enlarged view of collection #30,
visit our product page.
THURSDAY, AUGUST
21, 2008
Birthday Bash Photos & New Poll
Things are starting to calm down
now that the AIO Birthday Bash is over. Last night, the Official
Site released a few photos to let fans in on the excitement. You
can see these photos
here.
Also after so long, I've added our
August 2008 poll. Last time
we had a poll at the site was in 2003! Head over and vote. There
you'll also have an opportunity to see the results from our
polls from the past!
August-September
Poll:
Do
you think the "Kidsboro" episodes should be released in the
audio series or in a special collection not tied in with the
series? [Vote!]
On another note, last week I
mentioned I was heading down to drop off my brother to his new
college in Kentucky. Before heading home, we visit the
Creation Museum, and
it was a completely awesome museum. I recommend that everyone
see it. When you do, take your time and make sure you read
everything. It's well worth the effort. There's a Noah's Ark
area that puts Whit's to shame and details every aspect of the
flood. Make a trip down for yourself. Ticket prices seem a
little high, so make sure you learn more before making the trip.
You can visit the Creation Museum homepage
here.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST
20, 2008
Got Questions? We've Got Answers.
It's hard to believe I've made it
so far getting a massive update together for you guys. I've
really charged into the special update to the
AIO F.A.Q. section that I'm going crazy. However, I am
pleased to announce that you can come back this Saturday to see
the answers to your questions... and others'! I'm sure you'll
learn plenty.
Another update I will be making in
the coming days it to make sure all the archived questions are
up-to-date. With time, questions that didn't have answers now
have answers. I will be making sure the section is the best it
can possibly be! Check back this Saturday!
MONDAY, AUGUST
18, 2008
AIO F.A.Q.
What's coming up next at the
Odyssey Scoop?
Glad you asked! I've been plugging
away and answering AIO F.A.Q. questions
this summer to catch up. I've got questions from as early as
February 2007 archived and waiting to be answered. Stay tuned in
the days ahead for a bulk release of new answers to your Adventures in Odyssey questions!
SATURDAY, AUGUST
16, 2008
20 Years of Wonder
and Excitement!
Well,
today's the big day for thousands of Adventures in Odyssey
fans! Today marks the day of the long-awaited Birthday Bash that
has been in planning stages for months. Two live recording
sessions are planned for today, and fans from across the country
are meeting at Focus on the Family to watch Odyssey's favorite
actors and producers do what they do best. Fans will also have
the opportunity to meet the actors and get autographs. This
event is primarily distributing
The Official Guide, and fans will probably use it to obtain
autographs. If you're going to this event, I wish you luck. If
you're not going, you can still celebrate by listening to an AIO
episode or two... there's no harm in that! AIO's birthday was
officially last year (1987-2007), but this is the official
celebration of the series' well-lived duration. Happy 20th
Birthday, Odyssey!
Be sure to request your copy of
Adventures in Odyssey: The Official Guide and
#50 The Best Small
Town, available now!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 15,
2008
Official Site
Facelift
Today
I am extremely pleased to announce that the
Official Site has finally
released their new site design! After years with the old design,
I'm sure we're all going to welcome the new site! Just one day
before the Adventures in Odyssey Birthday Bash, this new
site features a wonderful new design consistent with the latest
Odyssey releases and the current look for AIO. If you've been
looking forward to the new site as I have for all these years,
you won't want to visit any other site until you check out this
big installment in the online community! The site contains
better organization with easy ways to locate AIO titles,
behind-the-scenes profiles, and much more. We will certainly be
seeing more frequent updates in the future.
Enjoy!
THURSDAY, AUGUST
14, 2008
The Best Small Town
The
newest collection from Adventures in Odyssey is now
available: The Best Small Town!
From what I heard on the 48th installment on the
Official Podcast
released yesterday, it sounds like the AIO team has included a
poster inside with the front cover art so avid fans can search
for their favorite Odyssey producers, writers, actors, and then
some! It was originally intended for a September release, but it
looks like the collection has hit shelves sooner. I'm excited to
see what it's like to have 50 Odyssey albums keeping my
bookshelf company.
In other news, I am headed to
Louisville, Kentucky, today to help move my brother into
Southern Seminary. He graduated this past May from Pensacola
Christian College (my college homestead for four years and going
on five) with a Pastoral Ministries degree. Now he pursues his
graduate degree with full vigor! Time is going so fast our heads
are spinning. We'll be there for a couple days, not forgetting
to stop by the Creation Museum in Kentucky before heading home.
Unfortunately, as I've reminded you guys in days past, I will be
skipping out on the AIO Birthday Bash, starting in just two
days! For all of you attending this celebrate-able event,
celebrate with all vigor! Oh yeah, don't forget to look for your
friends Chris and Sarah from the
Unofficial Podcast!
And if you're staying far away from the party like me, maybe you
could just press play on the latest
Official Podcast
and turn on your imagination. It works... and I think I've come
to terms with not being at the live event. I think.
TUESDAY, AUGUST
12, 2008
Daily Schedule
Just for your convenience, I've
added a sidebar on the left side of the Scoop homepage with the
daily episode broadcast. Updated daily, this "On the Radio"
column includes the episode airing for the day and a direct link
to listen over at Focus on the Family. In the near future, we
will be able to listen to archives of AIO episodes on Focus's
website. However, Oneplace listening will be discontinued. Enjoy
the new sidebar and keep counting down those days to one of
Odyssey's biggest celebrations ever on August 16th!
MONDAY, AUGUST
11, 2008
Product News
During this exciting week of Adventures in Odyssey festivities, I stumbled across some
information that many of you will like. In March 2009, a new
special boxed set album will be released titled
Novacom Saga. The name
may change between now and then, but this special collection
will contain the entire Novacom Saga with a special box design
containing 10 CD's and 30 episodes. Just when we thought that
Novacom was through! I will post more information in the days
ahead as it becomes available.
SATURDAY, AUGUST
9, 2008
The Mortal Coil II
The Mortal Coil
airs once again today on radio stations across the country. We
finish up the adventure as we look forward to the Adventures
in Odyssey Birthday Bash that has been cooking in the oven for so
long. Next Saturday, August 16th, AIO and thousands of fans will be celebrating the 20th year
of AIO! At this event, a live episode will be recorded for
future release. If you're going to this event, make sure you
pack your bags and get there on time. Connie would never
recommend you show up late!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST
6, 2008
New Podcast and Trivia
The AIO online community goes
through phases where nothing new is happening and other times
when you can barely hold on to your seat! A new fan podcast has
popped up called The
Ceiling Fan. The first episode is available and contains a
different format than that of the
Unofficial Podcast.
This new podcast contains a special news report style with a
cool remix of one of Odyssey's oldest theme songs. You may want
to give it a listen, especially if you're looking for some
entertainment while you wait for new Odyssey shows.
Meanwhile, I received an
interesting e-mail from one of our Scoop visitors, and I found
it intriguing enough to share with you. Joanna writes:
Not sure if you
guys collect this, but just in case, I have some 'fun trivia'
about actors Dave Madden and the late Walker Edmiston. Both are
affiliated with a couple of well-known 'witches'. Don't panic!
Don't panic!!
Dave, as you know, was part of the cast of The Partridge Family.
His character's (Reuben's) mother was played by Margaret
Hamilton (Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz) who was wackily
parodied by Chris in 'The Great Wishy Woz'.
The other connection is with Walker Edmiston, who, back in the
early 70's was the voice of two characters on the show Puff 'n
Stuff. Not sure if Walker ever mentioned it, but I thought it
would be a fun bit of trivia to associate 'Tom' and 'Bernard'
by. It may be that some of 'Witchiepoo's influence rubbed off on
Bart Rathbone, occasionally.
And there's the scoop.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2008
The Mortal Coil I
Well, it looks like the summer is
nearing closer to the end. "The Best of AIO" series which airs
this summer will finish once August bites the dust. Speaking of which,
The Mortal Coil
airs today on radio stations across the country. In just a few
short days, the Adventures in Odyssey Birthday Bash will
kick off on August 16th. It's going to be an exciting time, one
of which I wish I didn't have to miss. If you're going to this
event, may the spirit of AIO be with you! Yet, somehow, I have a
feeling we'll be hearing all about it from our friends at
Odyssey. Keep your ears tuned in the right direction!
