Jacob Isom

The Odyssey Scoop "Top Cone" (Webmaster)

 

How long have I been an Adventures in Odyssey fan?

Actually it's hard for me to say. The first episode of Adventures in Odyssey that I ever heard was The Ill Gotten Deed, and that doesn't even do the show justice compared to other AIO shows! Anyway, I began listening to Odyssey in 1991 or 1992 when my aunt Bonnie got my sister, my brother, and me three AIO albums for Christmas. I was about six at the time. My brother Jesse received Other Times, Other Places, my sister Abigail received It's Another Fine Day, and I received Terrific Tales, Mysterious Missions. I remember being so enthralled with the show that I became a fan. The next album I wanted to get was The Early Classics, seeing as how it's the first album, and I assumed that would let me in on things. Soon (but not actually, for it took me about six years to catch up on every album) I had all the albums. I am very thankful for my aunt B., because I might not be a fan to this day!

 

What is my favorite episode of Adventures in Odyssey?

Actually if you have been a fan of AIO as long as I have, you don't really have a favorite AIO episode. You like them all, give or take a few. But there are some that I still enjoy more than others, even though I've probably heard them hundreds of times. They include A License to Drive, The Turning Point, Gone..., ...But Not Forgotten, The Underground Railroad, and Suspicious Minds. There are tons more, but it would take too long for me to list them. As you can already see, I will never have a favorite.

 

Who is my favorite AIO character and why?

Here's one thing I actually can pick out! Over the years there have been tons and tons of characters, but four stand out the most. Even though I like Lucy Schultz and Curt Stevens a lot, as well as the Barclays, I have chosen John Avery Whittaker, Connie Kendall, Eugene Meltzner, and Bernard Walton as my favorites. I have really enjoyed how Mr. Whittaker has to correct Eugene and Connie's petty squabbles. And I really like it because Bernard is the funny one who loves watching Eugene and Connie try to haggle with each other to go to the bank to get a roll of quarters! Somehow AIO doesn't seem like AIO anymore because when there's a scene at Whit's End, Connie and Eugene are never arguing anymore. And Bernard isn't really there anymore. Does it seem that way to you?

 

What do I find interesting about making AIO websites?

I just like informing people about certain things and it's always fun to type. Perfecting my Extra! Extra! columns always takes off a lot of stress from my normal day activities. I also like designing AIO websites because it's just interesting to see what things you can come up with! I mean, look at my home page! I really like updating that part of the site because it's what draws people into my site. One thing I wish people would notice is the part that asks you if you'd like to be interviewed. I have a lot of interviews to go around.

 

Who is my favorite actor on Adventures in Odyssey?

Throughout the years I have really liked Katie Leigh's voice, so she is my favorite actress. I have also liked Hal Smith's voice because it has this loving crackle sound when he is teaching someone. The new Whit just doesn't have the loving Whit voice that that old Whit had.

 

If I had one wish for Adventures in Odyssey, what would it be?

First of all, I would definitely introduce nicer characters. AIO portrays the kids as too snotty towards just about anyone they come across. Give me a break! Just see for yourself by listening to Liz's voice! (By the way, I finally found out what her last name is -- Horton) I think that AIO needs nicer kids like Sam Johnson, Courtney Vincent, Lucy Schultz, Jimmy and Donna Barclay, etc.

My second wish (am I allowed to have a second wish?) would be for there to be more scenes with the parents. Nowadays it seems like the AIO kids don't even have parents! They hardly ever record scenes dealing with the parents like they used to. In the old days they used to have tons of scenes with parents, and that made the show better. I think AIO is missing something now. Besides, isn't family relationship one of the goals of AIO?

 

How do I imagine Whit's End and the town of Odyssey?

Throughout the years that I have listened to AIO, I have found myself imagining things from my hometown of Tallmadge, Ohio. In Tallmadge there's a historical church called The Tallmadge Circle. That is exactly where I imagine Whit's End being. Unfortunately cars and other vehicles are constantly driving around it, so I delete that part from my imagination. Now to the town... I imagine Biffy's Burgers where a Taco Bell is in Tallmadge. Finneman's Market is an old grocery store that went out of business, and Tom Riley's farm is a cross between my backyard and a farm I went to visit one time. I live in a small town, and it's also a very quiet town, just like Odyssey!

 

What's my favorite section of Whitsend.org?

Mine would definitely have to be the polls and forums section, only because you get to read fans' comments. Sometimes AIO posts rather stupid questions (Such as "What is most important to you? A. Yes B. No? That has no purpose.) so I like the ones where you can vote on their next book series or ask the producers questions.

 

What is my favorite section of the Odyssey Scoop?

It's my website, so I gotta fess up sooner or later! Actually it's a tie between Extra! Extra!, Reviews, and this section: Interviews. I love it when people fill out an interview, and I most certainly enjoy reviewing episodes (I learned that only recently with the new section on this site). And the Extra Extra column is pretty interesting for me because I get to set it up like a miniature tabloid about Odyssey. I started that in about February or March 2001. This website started in late December 2000.

 

What do I think I need changed about my website?

Well I did think I needed to make my website load up faster, which I resolved by switching servers by the way. And another thing that I wanted to do was update more often. That also ties in with switching servers because now I can work on the site on my computer. I used to have to load up Geocities (I don't recommend using their servers) which was rather annoying everyday. That caused me to be lazy everyday. Luckily I can stop being lazy now. I also hope I can find more actors!!!

 

Would I ever consider auditioning for a role on AIO?

I have one word for that: NEVER! I'm not the best of actors. But I would consider working with Adventures in Odyssey! All my teachers and anyone who's read my work says that my essays, stories, etc. are really descriptive and interesting. I have tried writing a script for AIO before, but I guess I'm not cut out for that line of work. I tend to burn the pancakes and forget to flip them over.

 

What is my favorite AIO website?

That's a toughy! There's so many great ones out there, including mine (Everyone laughs), but I have to guess that my favorite is AIO HQ because it has links to many things, and it's run by one of the AIO writers. And because he's got a link to my website! The main reason why I like AIO HQ is because it's updated the most often. I don't even know what happened to the Information Station! They haven' updated in so long!

As for my absolute favorite, it's definitely The Odyssey Scoop. I know what goes on behind the scenes, I have slaved over the website, and I have built it from the ground up. Whenever I visit another AIO site I tend to judge what could be better, but that's only my personal opinion. It's nice being a webmaster, but I tend to develop a one-sided view of websites. I notice the design over the content.

 

Which character do I resemble the most?

I think I resemble Connie the most because she's one that takes comments too seriously. She's a very devout Christian and I believe I am similar to her in that aspect. Christ's sacrifice on the cross for us is beyond my comprehension, and yet He's given me the ability to believe He did it for me... and He did. To die for all my sins Jesus gave Himself. Connie Kendall makes mistakes, and so do I. She does have a temper though, and I must admit that's not an issue I deal with.

 

Do I have any last words?

Yes, I do! To everyone who reads this... Don't stop listening to Adventures in Odyssey and check my website frequently! God bless you all!

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