Free Episode from Album 56

A free episode from album 56 has been released for a limited time only.  The title is Happy Hunting.  If you want to hear it click on the link below:

http://odysseyscoop.com/blog/2012/07/30/preview-the-grand-design/

The conspiracy has ended.

"I have hovered over this board for ages waiting to make my move.  I finally found a way in.  The board needed improvement and I love power!" said Jason, the new runner of the Campbell County MB.  That's what he said, but it's not true.  It turns out that the whole thing was set up.  Jason taking over the message board was all planned out by Bren himself.  Here is what Bren had to say,

"One unique thing about this board are the story arcs that take place.  Things happen on the board such as Regis Blackaard  coming back, R.M. taking over the board, etc.  Usually the bad guys are up to no good, and the members of CC are supposed to jump in and help foil their plans.  Often there are clues and codes to be found, and everyone works together to figure out what to do."

So I congratulate you Bren for coming up with such an awesomely planned scheme.  I'm glad Jason didn't really take over the board.

The Campbell County MB Conspiracy

Just a few nights ago Jason took over the Campbell County Message Boards.  He demoted everyone from their admin or mod status (even Bren) and only promoted EPPD.  Jason states he will make the CC "a better place".  Nobody knows how he got this admin status, but know he is getting revenge.  I'll keep you posted.  Jason's changed the whole board.  The color and the logo. He even has evil smiley faces all over the place.  And he has banned brownies.  We must fight back for our message board.  FIGHT BACK!!  this is not a joke.  Jason has seriously taken over the CC MB.  Here is the new logo:

Jason, if you are reading this then stop this treachery.  Give the message board back.  You will be stopped.  I thought you liked AIO.  A real AIO lover would never do anything as evil as this.  So Jason, I mean it STOP

Another thank you.

I just wanted to say thank you again for everyone who reads my blog, comments on it, and follows it.  Here's a chart showing how much my blog has grown.

The chart starts on February 2nd - the day I started my blog.  The chart ends where we are today.  That's how much my blog has gone up in popularity.  I hope you all enjoy reading my blog.

Top 5 Reasons why I do NOT like Emily

Well you can probably tell that Suzy likes Emily.  Well I don't like Emily so here is my counter-post to her post - The top 5 reasons why I do NOT like Emily.

5. She is nosy.  She never minds her own business and has to know everything.

4. She boasts and tries to impress people with her intelligence.

3.  She always wants to be in charge (such as in her detective agency) and doesn't listen to other peoples opinions.  (such as in When you're right, you're right")

2. She blackmails Matthew.  That is not setting a good example for kids listening to the show.

1. She has an annoying voice.

Top 10 Reason Why I Love Emily

Hello to you all, Suzy Lou here- the one Wooton introduced in the previous post. 

I'll be doing my first post on the rather largely debated character around Odyssey- Emily Jones. Either you love her or hate her. In my case, I am a big fan. I have enjoyed her character from the very beginning and find her very interesting, as well as quite amusing. I knocked heads together with a well known Odyssey fan you may all know from the Soda Shop message board- Pound Foolish, who also possesses the same admiration for Emily that I hold...and here is a collaboration of our top ten reason for why we love the character, Emily Jones::

1. Emily is bold and isn't afraid to stand for what she believes.

2. She posses a strong, fiery will.

3. She's caring and friendly to those around her, and as Pound Foolish said- "People accuse her of doing things for her own benefit, yet we never see her doing a deed that only she benefits from."

4. She possesses a unique amount of intelligence for a girl of her age and is very observant.
 

5. Her mysteries bring a fun new aspect to Adventures In Odyssey.

6. She strives to do better when it seems that she's failing, and doesn't give up easy.

7. She's funny.

8. She has a positive outlook on life.

9. She'd be good as a teacher of the sorts, what with her willingness of giving direction to those around her and all.

10. There is never a dull moment with her around.

And for an added touch, a drawing for my sidekick- Mr. Basset, who may find Emily a bit distasteful at times- but still holds a bit of a wonder for her as well...

Introducing Suzy Lou

This blog has a new author.  Introducing  Suzy Lou.  Her google profile name is Mary.  She has some very strong opinions about AIO so she will be posting every once in a while.

The Creation of the Campbell County Message Boards

Here's a little chat with Bren about the creation of the Campbell County Message Boards:

"To start off, I've been doing admin work for 4 years.  It started beck in September, 2008.  I had just joined the Town of Odyssey and they were getting ready to have their elections.  I was really pumped to run, but I had no previous experience which is when I stumbled onto ForumMotion.  I talked to some friends I had on the ToO at the time and the Electric Palace was born.  Now, my rise to ToO power is a different story, but suffice it to say,  the TEP was a hit for about a year.  In that time we had our ups and downs of activity.  People joined, but it was either a small amount of people or they didn't post much.  That pattern has continued until now.  After a year to TEP, those of us who were active at that time moved to the Campbell County MB.  We have had several "relaunches" in attempt to get the board active again.  The pattern seems to be that I run out of ideas and people lose interest and stop posting and visiting which was the situation we were in when I took over the SS.  That's why I shut it down and opened it back up again"

That's all.  I encourage all of you who is reading this to join Bren's Message Boards.

http://www.campbellcountymb.com/

A Short, but Very Important Post

I've been emailing around, trying to find out as much as I can about Album 56 and this is what I gathered.  Katie Leigh said "I finally feel like Connie has a growth spurt in this album." I will keep emailing and find out more.  In other news, Old Judge (from the Twists and Turns website says that he has a rare Odyssey item to show us if he gets 5 comments on his latest post.  So head over there and comment on it.  That's all for now.

Interview with Jesse Florea

I hate to post an interview a day after I posted my last one, but I couldn't wait to get this posted.  Here's my interview with Jesse Florea.

1: What's it like working for AIO?

Clubhouse magazine and Adventures in Odyssey are the two longest running children’s programs here at Focus on the Family. Both are celebrating 25 years of ministry this year. I’ve been the editor of Clubhouse magazine for the last 16 years and worked directly with Odyssey on the podcast for five. Before that, I always edited Adventures in Odyssey stories for Clubhouse, because Clubhouse is the official magazine of Adventures in Odyssey. All that to say, I love working with Odyssey. The staff is so creative, funny and talented. And they all have a heart for kids to better understand what it means to live for God.

2: What's it like having your own podcast?

The podcast is really a team. There’s no way it could ever be done without the genius and hard work of Nathan Hoobler. He’s really the creative force behind the podcast, and I just do sort of what I’m told.

3: What's your favourite episode?

Podcast? It’d probably be one of our first video podcasts where we chased Brock all over Focus on the Family.
AIO episode? I love the Green Ring Conspiracy. OK, I know that’s a lot more than one episode. But those were the first episodes that I saw recorded live in Hollywood, California. It was so cool to meet the actors, do some interviews and see the behind-the-scenes workings of how the show is recorded.

4: If you could write an AIO episode, what would it be about?

I’m not a great fiction or dialogue writer, but I do love history. So I’d probably write a historical story. Maybe something from World War II. I’m also really into Hawaii. So maybe the characters could go to Hawaii (like the Barclays did way back in the beginning of Odyssey—that was a funny episode!). Maybe Eugene and Katrina could go whale watching. It’d be cool for Emily and Matthew to solve a mystery at the volcano.

5: What's it like working with Bob and Brock?

Bob’s amazing. I real pro. We’d been friends before, but have grown even closer as podcast co-hosts. We’ve even written a devotional book together for fathers and daughters that comes out in Sept. 2012. Brock has more energy than anybody on the planet. I can’t keep up with him. He loves Odyssey fans and always wants to give them stuff.

6: Do you have any top secret info about Album 56 that you would like to share?

You’ll have to ask Brock about that. He’s the one who always has the top-secret information. I just know it’s going to be a great album.

7: What is your favourite thing about working with AIO.

Seeing how creative everybody is and how committed they are to share God’s truth around the world.

8: Do you have any advice on podcasting?

We have a huge advantage, because our fans are awesome and we’ve had relationships with some of the actors for 25 years. I make a good podcast you have to have interesting people—and there are tons of those around Adventures in Odyssey.

9: Do you enjoy reading fan blogs?

I don’t get to read them as much as I’d like. My main job at Focus on the Family is as editor of our two children’s magazines: Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. We also have websites for the magazines and Facebook pages. So that and the Adventures in Odyssey podcast takes up most of my time. But whenever, I get the chance to read a blog or talk with another AIO podcast creator, I’m amazed at the passion and knowledge they bring. It’s so cool to be part of the Odyssey family!


I hope you enjoyed my interview with Jesse Florea!

My sister's blog

I asked my sister if she wanted to help run my blog, but she said she wanted a blog of her own.  It's called A Place Called Odyssey. The link is aplacecalledodyssey.blogspot.ca/  She will try and update it as much as she can.

Interview with Katie Leigh

Hey guys.  Here's an interview with Katie Leigh the voice of Connie.

1: What is your least favourite part of recording? 
It is never doing AIO.  We're just dying to get back into the studio. 


2: What is your favourite album?

 I like them all a lot.

3: What's it like working with Will Ryan, Jess Harnell, and Andre Stojka?
 They are my best buddies, esp Will and Jess.. because I've known them longer

  4: Who is your favourite character (other than Connie) on AIO?
 Probably, Jay right now 

 5: What are some of the difficulties of voice acting?  Do you find it hard?
 I think it's just fun period. 

 6: Do your children enjoy hearing you on AIO?
 They used to, maybe when they are older they will miss it and me and want to hear it again.

 7: What is your favourite episode from after the hiatus?
Umm..we just recorded it and you haven't heard it yet.


8: How was it like having Mitch return?  Did you know Mitch was returning or did you find out
 when you read the script?
 I found out when I got to the studio!

I hope you enjoyed my interview with Katie Leigh!

A New Devotional and a New Podcast

Lets start with the new devotional.  This picture was released on the Odyssey Facebook page.  It is called "Mealtime Moments" meaning probably that it's meant for families to read at dinnertime.  There will be 90 devotions in it.

Next we have a new podcast that has come out called "The Wod Fam Od Pod".  It is hosted by Ryan Matlock and his siblings.  The link is: http://wodfamodpod.com/

Just Another AIO Blog Contest

Alex Jefferson has released a contest for to find out the best AIO website, blog, podcast, etc.  I will list the nominees below.  To vote you can PM on the Soda Shop or email him at creativethinker101@gmail.com.  I actually thought that my interview with Paul McCusker would be one of the nominees for best blog post, but my "top 5 AIO Blogs" post was a good one too.  Anyway, here are the nominees:

Best Website Nominees: This category includes the best active AIO websites. No blogs.

The Odyssey Scoop

Twists and Turns

The AIO Update

The Changing Times

Best Blog Nominees: This category is similar to the best website category, except it deals only with blogs.

The Unofficial AIO Blog

Just Another AIO Blog

The Voice of Odyssey

Out of Control In Odyssey

Down Odyssey Lane

The AIO Fan’s Life

The Adventures in Odyssey Blog

Best Feature Nominees: This category includes all pages and extra features on websites/blogs.

Adventures in Connellsville (Just Another AIO Blog)

The Imagination Station (TNT and UAIOB)

The U.S.S. Response (Just Another AIO Blog and UAIOB)

The Courtroom (TNT)

Odyssey Addict (The Odyssey Scoop)

The AIO Search Engine (The AIO Blog)

Editorials (The AIO Update)

Best Post Nominees: This category narrows down the best posts of many AIO websites/blogs. 

One Month Anniversary!… And I’m Celebrating with Orbs (TNT)

Nothing New, Nothing Old (The Voice of Odyssey)

Weekly Feature 7/1/12 (Interview with Wooton Basset and The Old Judge) (Just Another AIO Blog)

The Top 5 All-Time Best AIO Blogs and Websites (The Unofficial AIO Blog)

Celebrating Ten Year Since Novacom (The Changing Times)

Best Podcast Nominees: This category picks the best podcast from quite a wide selection.

The Boredom Buster Podcast

The Whit’s End Podcast

The Ceiling Fan Podcast

Abby and Mandie’s AIO Podcast

The AIO Blogcast

The Odyssey ScoopCast

Best Podcast Episode Nominees: The Podcast Episode category will choose the best episode out of all the notable recent ones.

BBP Interview with David Griffin Pt. 1 - 4

AIO Blogcast Sibling Spies Audio Drama

The Ceiling Fan Podcast To Survive and Protect

The Odyssey ScoopCast Interview with Kimmy Robertson Pt. 1 - 3

Best Message Board Nominees: This category will pick the best of the best when it comes to AIO forums.

The Town of Odyssey

Campbell County

The Soda Shop Message Boards

Exclusive AIO Forum

Best New Site/Blog/Podcast Nominees: This category acknowledges new websites that aren't incredibly popular but still just as good.

Just Another AIO Blog

Twists and Turns

The Unofficial AIO Blog

The Boredom Buster Podcast

Down Odyssey Lane

Out of Control in Odyssey

Abby and Mandie’s AIO Podcast

Adventures in Connelsville preview

Hello everyone.  Alex Jefferson has given me an exclusive preview of his next AIC instalment.  Enjoy!

“Nick?” Maxwell said, bewildered that his friend was wearing a hockey mask and disguising his voice. “Nick who?” Nick asked. “Never mind,” Maxwell retorted with a smirk. “Who are you?” interjected Mugshot. “Oh, I’m just here for the kid. Catch ya’ later!” Nick forgot to disguise his voice when he said this, so The Brothers knew he was one of their sworn enemies. “Hey, hey Mulligan!” shouted Bobby with a British accent. “Come back here!” But it was too late. Maxwell and Nick were already well on their way. Maxwell checked his watch again. 4:32. They would be late. “Maxwell, let’s go! We’re gonna be late! Tony’s probably waiting. You got your maracas?” “Yeah. You got your tambourine?” “Yeah. Have you ever noticed that Tony’s the only one with a legitimate band instrument?” “Yeah,” Maxwell said with a chuckle. But before they could go any further, because, standing in front of them, in the alley, was Detective Don Polehouse, looking as if he had stumbled upon Jesse James after he committed a robbery.

The Top 5 All-Time Best AIO Blogs and Websites

5: The Boredom Buster Podcast Blog

The BBP is a great podcast, but when I heard that fodo14 was coming out with a blog on his website I just went crazy.  I check it out all the time, and although it isn't that big of a blog (yet) I love it.

4: The Adventures in Odyssey Blog

The Adventures in Odyssey Blog is sorta like the BBP Blog.  It has a podcast (which is VERY well done) and a very detailed blog.  It updates whenever there is AIO news.  It's been going for 4 years now which is very good.  Stay tuned on my blog for a more detailed review coming soon.

3: The AIO Update

This blog posts news the second it comes out.  This blog has editorials which are pretty neat.  Anyway, if you are looking for AIO news then this is the blog for it.

2: Twists and Turns

This website is just so unique.  The courtroom feature is so original.  Old Judge updates a lot.  It's a nice small website with Official AND unofficial news.  Fun fact: Did you know that the Imagination Station link page was Old Judge's idea.  He asked me if I wanted to be a part of it and I agreed.

1: Just Another AIO Blog

It was so hard to decide between Twists and Turns and Just Another AIO Blog.  They are both very unique in their own way.  But I've decided to pick JAAIOB for #1.  His features are spectacular.  Who else in the world would have thought of Adventures in Connelsville?  Also, I like his contest and quiz page.  Keep up the good work everyone!

I've got good news and I've got bad news

Lets get the bad news over with.  Some of you might have noticed that the AIO 24-7 radio had not shut down after all.  Some people think it's because NovaCom had taken over Focus on the Family's mind and made them decide to not shut it down after all, but their theories were proved wrong in this twitter post:

The good news is that a shortened version of the live show will be in Album 56.





Some more good news is that Abby and Mandie from the Abby and Mandie AIO Podcast now has their own website. The link is:  http://theabbyandmandieshow.webnode.com/

That's all for now.

Finally! *VERY IMPORTANT POST*

Finally after waiting soooo long Odyssey is coming to iTunes!  It was recently announced on Twitter.

I don't know if I can wait 'til fall.  I'm so excited!  How about you?

Thank you everyone!

Over the past weeks my blog has really grown.  It has been reviewed and i have been interviewed.  It is up to 4 followers.  It even has an AIO wiki page.  In a recent interview Alex Jefferson (creator of Just Another AIO Blog) said that he wanted a behind the scenes look at how I create logos. So Alex, I updated my logo page with a behind the scenes look.  That's all for now everyone.  I just wanted to say thank you for making my blog such a success.

Interview with.....Paul McCusker!

I know a lot of you have been waiting patiently for this review.  Just a few minutes ago Paul McCusker emailed me back the answers to the questions I sent him.  Enjoy!

1. What is your favourite show that you have written?

That's impossible for me to answer, since there have been so many over the past 25 years. And every script presents its own challenges and enjoyments. Many I've completely forgotten. But I suppose The Green Ring Conspiracy was particularly enjoyable for me, over the more recent episodes.

2. What is your favourite book that you have written?

I suppose the answers to this question is the same as the previous. Every book is unique - and there are things about writing one that I may enjoy and other things that can be hard-going. But I have affection for the various novels, both in the Odyssey series and the Passages series.

3. What is the most challenging show that you have written?

I think the most challenging shows tend to be the ones where a lot of research is needed. The historical shows come immediately to mind. But some of the mysteries present their own difficulties. The "glass" mystery needed quite a bit of research to try to get it right. As did The Green Ring Conspiracy" and "The Labyrinth."

4. How did you start working on AIO?

I was working at another ministry with Chuck Bolte, who later became the Executive Producer for Odyssey. He had been consulting with Focus on the Family on some "new" audio dramas they wanted to produce. It was the predecessor to Odyssey called "Family Portraits." He said they were looking for writers and wanted to know if I was interested in that at all. I said I didn't know anything about audio dramas, but thought it would be a good experience to try. I wound up writing "My Brother's Keeper" - and that's where it started.

5. If you could have anything happen in the Odyssey universe, what would it be?

That's a really hard question. Right now I wish we had more time to spend with all the characters and to explore that various inventions Whit has created.

6. What is the most fun part  of working for AIO?

The writing process is hard work, but fun. All in all, I'd have to say it's working with the actors in the studio when we record the scripts.

7. Are you planning on making any more Passages books?

We occasionally talk about doing more Passages novels, but nothing has materialized yet. We're really busy with a lot of other projects at the moment.

8. What was your inspiration for the Passages books.

I don't remember where the original inspiration came from. It might have been something I'd read or seen - where someone had created a modern version of a classic story, or an alternative reality of some sort. But, like Whit, I had the desire to make the Bible more accessible to more people and thought re-telling the stories in an alternative universe would be a good way to do it.

9. How was it like playing Phillip Glossman? 

I'm not an actor, so I'm not happy with any of the voice-work I've done on the show. I always think that there are a lot of other people who could do the job so much better than I could.

10.  How are you like or unlike Phillip Glossman?

Since I don't have a variety of voices, the Philip Glossman voice is mine, but with a weaselly, sniveling, sarcastic attitude. Other than that, I don't think I'm like Philip Glossman at all. I can't imagine thinking, behaving nor making the kinds of bad moral choices he made.

11. Are you currently working on something?  A new book perhaps?

I've recently finished a screenplay. And I've written an annotated version of "The Screwtape Letters" for HarperOne.

12. Is it hard to agree on different ideas for Odyssey?

Most ideas aren't hard to agree on, if they fit the world of Odyssey, have compelling storylines and a solid theme. Any disagreements are usually over those issues. Occasionally we might argue over something a character may or may not do.

13. Will Philip Glossman ever be coming back?

No. We last heard from him in a small cameo part in Album 50 - and I think that's more than enough.


All the best,
Paul McCusker

Secrets and Interviews

Alex Jefferson from Just Another AIO Blog has finally released the "Something Big"  he has been talking about for the past week.  Well, the big secret is.......2 new pages on his blog.  The first one, Adventures in Connelsville, is probably the most original feature on an AIO blog that I've ever seen.  It is just like AIO only it takes place in Connelsville.  The second page is Contests and Quizzes.  I can't wait for some of those to get started.  Alex also interviewed me and the Old Judge (creator of the Twists and Turns website).  Check it out.  Oh...and Alex....keep up the great work.