07 Feb, 2023
It's official: Adventures in Odyssey is turning 35. Such impressive longevity for a show (let alone a RADIO show) begs the question, "How do they do it!?" For those who are in the dark regarding what Adventures in Odyssey even is , let me briefly explain: It's a radio drama (think movie, minus the visuals) produced by Focus on the Family . Originally introduced as a 13-episode pilot series entitled Family Portraits in 1987, the overwhelmingly positive response from listeners led to a follow-up series called Odyssey USA (later renamed Adventures in Odyssey in 1988). Set in the small, fictional town of Odyssey, each episode centers around the adventures of its (mostly) lovable residents and the important lessons they learn along the way. In 2005, Adventures in Odyssey was averaging 1.2 million daily listeners in North America alone. The immense popularity of the show spawned a spin-off series of animated videos, board games, computer games, novels, devotionals, and yes - even action figures! 35 years later and 900+ episodes later, Adventures in Odyssey is still going strong. As a lifetime listener of this incredibly impactful show, I have a few theories as to why many (including myself) would venture to dub it "the greatest show on earth." Now to be perfectly honest and forthright, most of my opinions of the show are based on the first 15 years or so of its run. That was "my era", so to speak, and thus...the era I've mostly introduced to my own children. Similar to early Pixar films, there was something magical about the early Odyssey shows in how they could entertain and challenge both children and adults alike. In my own opinion, some of the newer shows (although still popular and well-received) have lost the original "luster" that made the show a cross-generational hit. With that being said, I think the long-term success of the show can be attributed to the following key factors: story, casting, quality, and mission. STORY - Although the storylines of the various main characters in Adventures in Odyssey have changed and developed over the decades, there is an important through line that has remained consistent: a feeling of home . Odyssey is a fictitious place, yes. But something about it feels so...familiar. So relatable. The town of Mayberry in The Andy Griffith Show had a similar quality to it. In well-written shows, the fact that a certain place and characters don't exist doesn't really matter. We as the audience are so drawn into the story that we gladly overlook that seemingly insignificant detail. So much so, in fact, that we often find ourselves daydreaming about how we would love to live in such a place and belong to such a community. We begin to see a Whit's End in every Victorian home we pass by and a John Avery Whittaker (or "Whit" as he prefers to be called) in every wise and seasoned man we meet. That, my friends, is how you know you've stumbled upon something great. Adventures in Odyssey is escapism at its finest. The scripts are extremely well-written. The themes are consistently relatable. The characters are colorful, yet believable. And speaking of characters... CASTING - This should obviously go without saying, but the quality of actors cast in a show makes a massive impact on the success and long-term potential of said show. The early pioneers of Adventures in Odyssey (here's lookin' at you, Steve Harris and Phil Lollar) were obviously very aware of that fact, because the cast they pulled together for the show's main characters was nothing short of perfect. One of those lightening strike moments where you not only manage to pull together an incredibly gifted team of actors, but actors who have a palpable chemistry that can be felt by voice alone. Hal Smith as John Avery Whitaker ( Andy Griffith Show , Winnie the Pooh ), Katie Leigh as Connie Kendall ( Muppet Babies, Adventures of the Gummi Bears ), Will Ryan as Eugene Meltsner ( The Land Before Time , An American Tail ), Chris Anthony as Chris ( Barbie , Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts ), Walker Edmiston as Tom Riley ( Gunsmoke , Mission: Impossible ), and Dave Madden as Bernard Walton ( The Partridge Family , Alice ) are just a sampling of the incredible performers who have lent their vocal talents to bringing the world of Odyssey to life over the years. Each line given to these actors was delivered in such a genuine and natural way that you never stopped to give their performances a second thought (which is obviously the tell-tale sign of excellent acting). I kid you not, there are a few episodes that still make me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME I listen to them. Without fail. Recollections , Karen , Connie, just to name a few. Powerful storytelling coupled with some of the best voice acting you'll ever hear on radio (or even film, come to think of it). And don't even get me started on the comedic elements of the show... The comedic sensibilities of both the cast and crew proved to be an unrivaled combination, leading to the creation of some of the most oft-quoted episodes in the Fullan household ( License to Drive , Poor Loser , The Right Choice , Love Is in the Air , etc.). Simply put, the core cast of Adventures in Odyssey is on par with any of television's most beloved sitcoms. QUALITY - It is reported that in the early days of Adventures in Odyssey , each half-hour episode took about 100 hours to produce. That fact alone is proof enough of the love and care that was put into making this show the best that it could be. The custom sound design (including foley, which added an unprecedented sense of realism to each scene) and custom musical scores of Odyssey set the standard of quality for future generations of radio drama producers, and sparked a renewed interest in the art form itself. Fun fact: I composed the original music for two episodes of Adventures in Odyssey , which was an absolute dream come true for me. You can learn more about that experience by watching this behind-the-scenes video ! MISSION - The most important ingredient of Adventures in Odyssey 's success? Their commitment to honoring Christ and instilling Biblical values via the stories they choose to tell. It is so obvious to me how (and why) God has blessed this show and caused it to thrive like it has over the past 3+ decades. I honestly can't underestimate the impact listening to this show had on my childhood, and how it helped to shape me into the man I am today. And now I have the honor and thrill of seeing my own children fall in love with it (and more importantly, learn from it) just as I did so many years ago. Sadly (yet understandably in many cases), faith-based entertainment has a reputation for being "cheesy" and unrealistic in their depiction of what life is really like. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Adventures in Odyssey has been an exception to that stereotype. Tackling tough topics like death, greed, divorce, alcoholism, etc. is no easy task, especially when trying to make them accessible to young children. But the producers of Adventures in Odyssey managed to find that ever-elusive, delicate balance of realism and consumability. I applaud them for their years of godly influence on multiple generations of young people, providing parents with an important and God-honoring alternative to screen time in all of its various forms. In summary? If you haven't given Adventures in Odyssey a try, PLEASE JUST DO IT . I promise you won't regret it. Even if it isn't your cup of tea, see what your kids think and I'm quite confident they'll quickly become die-hard fans in no time at all. :) If/when you do decide to dip your toe in Odyssey's Trickle Lake (if you know, you know), I'd advise you start at the very beginning so you can get to know all of the beloved characters as the rest of the world got to know them. Yes, the early episodes may sound a bit dated, but trust me...the quality of storytelling will you draw you in regardless. You can access all 900+ episodes (and so much more) via the Adventures in Odyssey Club . The cost is $10/month or $107.88/year ($8.99/month) for 5 accounts. As a long-time subscriber, I can say without hesitation that it has been worth every penny for our family. Thank you, Adventures in Odyssey ...for everything. Your lifelong fan, Aaron
