From our perspective it seems the main problem that many AIO fans have with the upcoming Odyssey Adventure Club is the fact that the exclusive club episodes will not be available to listen to for those without a club membership. About two weeks ago we released a news article about Brock Eastman's comment regarding this topic. Brock allowed for the possibility that these exclusive episodes could eventually be released outside the club but wasn't sure whether that would be possible due to "contracts and agreements." Now in the latest episode of the Official Podcast, Executive Producer Dave Arnold has addressed this question as well. Dave says "At this point we really don't know because we're developing this club in a way that we want to make sure that the value is there for the club members. But we don't want to alienate the listeners that maybe don't have a need to get into the club. And so, I would say at this point we really haven't worked those details out. We may do it at some point in the near future but it really just does depend on how things with the club play out and we're just really trying to find our way through—I mean, this is a new endeavor." Dave went on to say that the OAC would expand the ministry of AIO into more households. It seems Focus on the Family still needs to make some decisions about the OAC exclusive episodes. If they do decide to release these episodes to fans outside the club, that could alleviate most fans' concerns.
In this latest edition of the Official Adventures in Odyssey Podcast Executive Producer Dave Arnold and Creative Director Paul McCusker talk about Album 57: A Call to Something More, June Kendall's passing, the Odyssey Adventure Club, and upcoming albums. Plus, we hear the Avery Award nominations. You can listen to the episode here. Our next Adventures in Odyssey episode review of The Day Independence Came from Album 2: The Wildest Summer Ever has now been released. In this episode Irwin Springer, a middle-schooler interested in history, takes a wild journey back to the American Revolution, where he meets Nathan Hale, George Washington, and other men who shaped the United States. Read our review below. Do you have a question about Album 57: A Call to Something More, which included episodes such as “Your Servant is Listening,” “Life Expectancy,” “The Pilot” and more? Maybe you’re wondering about the A.C.T.S. contest or the upcoming Odyssey Adventure Club. Or maybe you want a preview of what’s coming up in future episodes? Paul McCusker and Dave Arnold will be on the next Official Podcast to answer your questions about Adventures in Odyssey — past, present, and future. Ask your questions here. The next episode review from the AIO Update is of Family Vacation, Parts 1 & 2, from Album 2: The Wildest Summer Ever. In this episode the Barclay family of four takes off for a Florida vacation, but they get stranded when the car breaks down. However, their problems soon turn into yet another adventure. Read the full review below. On Facebook Brock Eastman has invited discussion about the Odyssey Adventure Club and he recently made this comment about the exclusive episodes: "we expect that at some point they could release, but this would be a year after the last episode in the twelve aired, so the first episode The Launch would be 2 years old at that point. Further because of our contracts and agreements to tell some of these stories we don't know always when or if they can release." That means these exclusive club episodes could be made available outside of the club at the end of 2015 or early 2016, two years after the club launches. Because of legal contracts, however, they don't know at this point if every single exclusive episode could eventually be released to those without a club membership. Obviously, we hope those issues can be worked out and that ultimately every Adventures in Odyssey fan will be able to hear these exclusive episodes. In this episode of the Official Adventures in Odyssey Podcast, hosts Bob and Jesse interview voice actor Gary Reed, the voice of Jeff Lewis, who recently returned to the show in Album 57. He talks about his theater work, his first episode on AIO, what he appreciates about the character of Connie, and how he relates to his character's role of a missionary. After the interview you can hear the first scene of The Pilot, Part 1, which airs this Saturday. Listen to the podcast here. This week the Adventures in Odyssey team is in the process of recording more exclusive episodes for the Odyssey Adventure Club. Two new episode titles have been revealed on the AIO Facebook page. They are called "The Lone Lawman" and "All By Myself." It appears these club episodes will only be heard by fans who can pay for a club membership, which will cost approximately $180 a year. As of now, there are no plans to release these exclusive new episodes to those outside of the club. Previously revealed club episode titles include "The Launch, Parts 1 & 2" and "30 Jays Hath September." You can learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club here. Also, the AIO Update has written an opinion piece about this topic called Editorial 13: For Fifteen Dollars More. Our next Adventures in Odyssey episode review of A Change of Hart from Album 1: The Adventure Begins is now online. In this episode the character Freddie Hart is constantly teased by his middle school classmates. But when he switches schools and tries to be popular, he finds that his troubles follow him. Read our full review below. |