719: The Bible Network

Well, hi there. As always in the Josh world, things are always crazy, and that was certainly true again this past week. I'm struggling to schedule recording sessions, let alone find time to produce the sound design and music cues. So, sadly, I will have to once again push back the debut of Candid KOnversations with  Josh and Ally. The script's going through polishing as we record, but I'm really liking where it's going. One thing that will make this podcast unique is the storyline that will pretty much be a separate segment from the interviews that make up the KOnversations part of the show. It's a story arc that will probably take the whole season to complete, but hopes to bring up thought-provoking questions about...oh, I probably shouldn't give that away. But I'm excited, and I really hope you enjoy the podcast (which, by the way, will be audio unless we see a great opportunity to use video)! So look for it now later in the month. However, I'm pretty much positive that the pilot WILL come out later in January, so don't worry! I don't want to promise in case something horribly catastrophic goes wrong, but I am convinced. And now to our review...

MEMORABLE LINES OF DIALOGUE:
"What's your name? Rick. Rick; beautiful name. Thanks. And I have one too! You will address me as Sir! Or Mr. Combs! Or Sergeant Combs! Or Drill Sergeant Combs! Or Brother Combs! Or Brother Drill Sergeant Combs!" - Drill Sergeant Combs, Rick

"But my Bible's all wet, sir. Then dry it all off with the lip rag of your cowardice." - Ron, Drill Sergeant Combs

"I forgot that you have a Master's degree in counseling and went to seminary for four years. And I completely blanked that you've been in the ministry for twenty-two years and have trained people in discipleship for the past six. Well, actually, I didn't do any of that. You didn't? Uh, no, that's you. THAT'S RIGHT, IT'S ME! NOW DO WHAT I SAY!" - Drill Sergeant Combs, Stanley
 
REVIEW:

Marshal Younger takes a third crack at writing an episode involving three parodies of pop culture to bring attention to Biblical teachings, this time looking at Scripture and four ways to apply it to our lives (from 2 Timothy 3:16). The three segments on this show are "Who's the Real Sheep," "BSI: Bible Study Investigation," and "Bible Boot Camp." Unlike the first two episodes he wrote with the same format, the very funny Hidden in My Heart and The Devil Made Me Do It, the parodies are not as focused on a particular genre or "show," which leaves less room for humor, and if the hope was to again make fans have their stomachs hurt from laughing too hard, it doesn't fulfill that hope in that regard, but does succeed in teaching the Bible in a fun way.

"Who's the Real Sheep" does a good job with explaining different points of view other than a Christian worldview and explaining how the Bible is useful for teaching truth.  The skit, while not overtly humorous, has some light touches in there, and I enjoyed hearing Lori (the contestant) apply her Bible help to the question being asked. If anything, it mostly suffers with some overacting by some of the panelists.

"BSI: Danny's Apartment" holds the job of transitioning from the first skit to the final large skit. "Lassie the Wonder Dog" performed this job beautifully, as the Lassie snippets made a coherent story as told through "commercials." "BSI" could have been better told if more time was given to the skit, but the snippets for BSI seemed way too short. I hate to compare, but when these types of episodes use the exact same format, it's worth looking at the ones that did to see how effective they used the format. If there's anything humor-related that works, CSI fans might find a chuckle from the name of the detective, Danny Caluso, who I believe is spoofed from the lead of CSI: Miami, David Caruso. However, after further listens, I enjoyed the parody on the "investigation" but didn't understand the need for the "going to prison" motif. "Star Trip" succeeded because it spoofed Star Trek perfectly while teaching a valuable lesson and creating humor from the cliches. "BSI," while lightweight entertaining, fails to teach the lesson memorably, although attempts to (along with the humor). 

"Bible Boot Camp" is the best skit of the three, although I'm not sure what Younger was not parodying (the tough sergeant reminded me of one of the trainers from The Biggest Loser). The acting is spot on and the characters are funny and easy to identify with. All of the memorable quotes from this episode for me came from this segment. I loved the Bible verse jabs when the contestants got heated, and appreciated how the application (All Scripture is profitable for correction and training in righteousness) felt very organic into the story, which I felt "BSI" didn't have time to do.

I thought Ron's answer to Sergeant Combs about why he didn't read his Bible was interesting: "There's a lot of words in that big Bible; it's overwhelming to carry that Bible, let alone read it." That's how a lot of people see God's Word; they feel like God should compress His message into something easier for them to digest, perhaps through a paragraph or two for easier reading. Although this episode didn't illustrate this, it takes a love for God and trust and willingness in Him to start a hunger and thirst for the Word. This episode took a verse and tried to make it easier to digest, which is not a bad thing, but couldn't capitalize on the success of the same episode format that was used in the past. 

While humorous in certain parts and interesting in others, it lacks the comic energy and organic applications found in other episodes with the same format. I give this episode an 87/100, or a 

B+

AVERY WATCH:
Best Line of Dialogue - "What's your name? Rick. Rick; beautiful name. Thanks. And I have one too! You will address me as Sir! Or Mr. Combs! Or Sergeant Combs! Or Drill Sergeant Combs! Or Brother Combs! Or Brother Drill Sergeant Combs!" - Drill Sergeant Combs, Rick
Best Actor - Dan Hagen 

FP#8: The Letter

Quick announcement before getting to today's review. Alex Jefferson is hosting the first AIO Webster Awards for achievements in Odyssey fan sites! If you've been liking what you see, we'd really appreciate it if you voted us for Best Blog and Best New Site/Blog/Podcast by emailing CreativeThinker101@gmail.com. Voting runs until Friday, August 24, so vote soon! Visit his blog at justanotheraioblog.blogspot.com to view all the nominees! And now, on to the review!

Just kidding! Quick update first. We started school today (Ally's first day of high school) and it looks like it'll be a busy year. Hopefully we'll be able to keep this blog up! I'm taking Radio Broadcasting this year, so I'm looking forward to DJing and talking! Maybe I'll ask if we could do a radio drama...and now, seriously, here's the review.

 THE ODYSSEY TIMES (Facts, notes, and quotes about Odyssey from this ep):
-I really really want to learn how to play this Family Portrait theme on the piano.
-Dr. Dobson mentions that this drama is aimed at the teenager...now all we need is an audio drama series (cough cough spinoff of Odyssey cough) for teens in today's day and age!
-So teenagers were allowed to drive other teenagers within a few weeks of getting their license? Ah, the 80s.
-A teenager being embarrassed by their parents driving them to their places. Very relatable to most teens, although at my school, parents are still a normal chauffeur and it's not embarrassing or anything. What's your school like?
-Yay! Katie Leigh and Alan Bergman, the future Connie and Bill Kendall! And this father character named Stan is very similar to Bill.
-I like this mother's voice - I wonder who the actress is?
-"Every time you make a new discovery or make a new skill, my pride dims when I realize that you need me a little bit less. Will I be outgrown someday like pajamas with footies and squeaky teddy bears? ...I pray that as that time draws near, our relationship gains depth, not distance. That when you're grownup enough to stand apart from me, you'll choose - even so - to keep your heart close by. Your daddy's love is as strong and real today as when you first saw the light of day...whatever struggles we face, whatever thoughtless or hurtful deeds we as fallible humans may do to one another, that love will grow with you for as long as I live." -Stan to his daughter Stacey
-Pretty sure the music from today's episode will be recycled into later Odyssey episodes.
-This is the shortest Family Portraits, clocking in at only fifteen minutes.

REVIEW:

While we've skipped five Family Portraits, I can tell you that this is the first one without Whit. It's also the first one aimed at teens. It's also the first one with the fabulous Katie Leigh and Alan Bergman, future Connie and Bill Kendall.

This portrait of a daughter embarrassed by her father and her mother trying to show her how much her father loves her is very touching. The mother gives the best performance as she tries to navigate both sides of the argument. 

Once again, this episode uses the Kishōtenketsu structure. Similarly to the last portrait we heard, the introduction and development are interesting, but the twist slows the momentum down as the same plot device is used. 

I thought it was fascinating when Dr. Dobson mentioned that the father was wrong. Parents are not perfect. They are vulnerable, they have feelings, needs, hurts, and problems they don't tell you about. They are people too, and that's something difficult for a lot of teens (including me occasionally) to understand. I could relate to both Stacey (the teenager) and Stan (the father) not being as open because of rejection and insecurity; it's a very real issue today as competition intensifies. There were a lot of great take-aways from this episode, including a verse from Ephesians 4:26; something about not letting the sun go down on your anger. Oftentimes, anger is stagnant, and it shouldn't be that way; if it's righteous anger, we should do something about it, and if it's not righteous, we should ask God to help us stop and find His love and peace and grace.

Overall, this episode was better than the last one; the reconciliation (last part) was great as well. We'll see if in future episodes with this format, the team can work on making that twist interesting! I give this episode a 88/100, or a 

B+

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Listen to The Letter by purchasing Album 14: Meanwhile, In Another Part of Town on CBD

NOTE: Today I can officially announce that a new site feature and two new videos will be coming your way later this month! However, this is only one of the two new features we plan to bring you by the end of the year. As Sarah from the Unofficial AIO Podcast would say, "Yayyyy!"

The Deep End Avery Award Results

This year's Avery Award event was one of the funniest, if not the funniest, podcasts in AIO podcast history; perfectly parodying the online fan reaction from the latest news from Connie and Mitch. Click here to hear the event for yourself! And now...on to my reactions (And by my, meaning Josh. Ally's at CBM Camp this week!)


Best Actor
Jon Curry as Alvin York in Sergeant York
Townsend Coleman as Jason Whittaker in The Labyrinth
Phil Lollar as Dale Jacobs in The Labyrinth
Whit Hertford as Jay Smouse in Mistaken for Good
Will Ryan as Eugene Meltsner in Child's Play


My Reaction: Jason Whittaker is a very popular character, so it was no surprise to me that he won. However, I felt that there were two other nominees who should've won. Townsend Coleman has done a great job through the years playing a character who was always conflicted between the serene world of Odyssey and the "world of secret agents, mysteries, spies." (Malachi's Message, Album 32: Hidden Treasures) At the end of part 3, Jason says that he's tired of the labyrinth of lies and deception and is ready to go home, but the setup to that point doesn't bring it up to the level of the payoff. The last two scenes are terrific, as we witness the sadness of revenge and the redemption we get from talking to God and communicating about our faith with fellow believers. If Coleman had somehow conveyed through the first two parts the weariness of living out the lie, he would have been the perfect candidate (so I'm very anxious to hear Home Again this fall). I felt that both Jon Curry and Whit Hertford did that to their characters on their respective episodes. Jay was conflicted with morality while Sgt. York was conflicted with his beliefs, and I thought the actors' performances mirrored those conflicts well.


Best Actress
Georgia Dolenz as Sue in The Labyrinth
Renee Dorian as Gracie Williams in Sgt. York
Katie Leigh as Connie Kendall in Something Old, Something New
Audrey Wasilewski as Katrina Meltsner in To Mend or Repair
Linda Porter as Helen Wilson in Mistaken for Good


My Reaction: I thought Sue was a great foil for Jason in London (my sister would STRONGLY disagree), but although Katie Leigh has like, twenty million Odyssey awards, I felt she deserved another one this season. The comedic sides of Connie were expressed in part one as she tried to put together the wedding brochure and the dramatic sides were expressed as she dealed with Mitch's return in part two. Both were executed wonderfully.


Best Minor Character
Joy and Kyle in Child's Play
Red Hollard in Sergeant York
Jacques Henri in Something Old, Something New
Mrs. Kramer in To Mend or Repair
Mycroft Thugg in The Labyrinth


My Reaction: All five nominees represent different branches of comedy. Joy and Kyle represent childish hijinks; Red Hollard with folksy, clumsy, Southern comedy; Jacques Henri  with the comedy of a foreigner speaking English; Mrs. Kramer with droll, sarcastic comedy; and Mycroft Thugg with British comedy. I enjoy droll, sarcastic comedy (i.e. Parks and Recreation), but apparently the voters like British comedy. For my personal taste, I thought Mrs. Kramer was scene-stealing in the two episodes she was in, and the funniest part of the whole season. Bring Mitzi McCall back, Odyssey team! We'll forget Mrs. Sutton and Mrs. Kramer can be a foil for Whit. This category was a matter of taste, and the rest of the fans have a different taste than I do (in this category anyway, but see Best Line).


Best Sound Design
Winner: Sergeant York


My Reaction: Good call. This episode took sound design in Odyssey to new heights, and it was exhilarating to listen to.


Best Line
"One Hundred Things I Hate" by Mrs. Kramer in To Mend or Repair
Jay Smouse's Morning Announcements in Mistaken for Good
Mycroft Thugg's explanation of his name in The Labyrinth
Red Hollard's description of Alvin York in Sergeant York
Joy's questions in Child's Play


My Reaction: Thanks, voters, for recognizing the hilarious Mitzi McCall! The best line should go to the line that is the most memorable, and that line fits the bill as well as being hilarious. Although I felt there were even funnier lines, it was still my favorite of the nominees.


Best Villain
Vance King in Mistaken for Good
Jay Smouse in Mistaken for Good
Mr. Grote in The Labyrinth
Reggie Fingers in The Labyrinth
Maureen in Something Old, Something New


My Reaction: Frankly, Reggie Fingers was a typical villain, and there was nothing really special about him. Maureen was only a villain to the Connie/Mitch shippers, and technically, she might've even been a hero to some of the fans who wanted Mitch to end the relationship. Vance was a good villain, but he wasn't really memorable. Jay and Mr. Grote were interesting villains. Jay was a great antihero as he tried to discern the morality of snagging money from an old lady. Mr. Grote had an amazing voice, and his last scene is a scene that I will not forget when thinking about Odyssey in 2012 for a long time. In fact, ever since The Labyrinth, I've seen Ron Yuan (the actor portraying Mr. Grote) on many TV shows, including NCIS: Los Angeles (one of Ally's top shows), Touch, and Awake.  I'm hoping Mr. Grote returns; he's a great villain that could do well in another saga like the Blackgaard Chronicles or Novacom Saga.


EDIT: Best Episode
Winner: The Labyrinth
Should've Won: Something Old, Something New  Sgt. York (RUNNER-UP: Something Old, Something New/To Mend or Repair)


My Reaction: The Avery Awards are similar to any event with fan-based voting, such as the People's Choice Awards, Kids' Choice Awards, and Teens' Choice Awards. Compare the winner of Choice Movie Drama and Comedy for the Teens' Choice Awards (The Lucky One and 21 Jump Street) to the nominees for Best Picture at this year's Oscars (The Artist, The Descendants, The Help, Hugo, The Tree of Life, War Horse, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Moneyball, Midnight in Paris). Fan awards tend to favor spectacle and visuals over nuanced performances. Now, while there aren't visuals in Odyssey, except the imagination, the winners of the Averys will usually be the big, exciting episode of the season (Case in point: The Jubilee Singers, The Mystery of the Clock Tower). Unbecoming Jay was the funniest episode of Album 54, which earned its attention. While I enjoyed The Labyrinth, certain things didn't seem to click. For me, the first two parts were merely okay, and then the third part was incredible. The first two parts had humor that distracted from the action or simply wasn't needed (I had similar feelings about The Green Ring Conspiracy; but does Jason really have to make a wisecrack every five seconds?) and some plot threads that didn't go anywhere (the worm). There were certain parts that were incredible (see previous reactions), but the episode as a whole didn't deserve the award, in my opinion. Sgt. York was a fantastic historical story written and directed by Dave Arnold, and four parts was just right for me. It told a good story and shared an important message.


RUNNERS-UP: Something Old, Something New was a fantastic dramedy, seamlessly blending together comedy, mystery, romance, and drama. For the first time, I enjoyed myself on a Jones/Parker detective adventure, Kimmy Robertson was hilarious as Penny interacting with everyone (I especially loved scenes with her and Matthew/Emily), and Connie finally got some well-needed character development and closure. I can only describe it as a beautiful episode, but the same goes for To Mend or Repair, which also blended comedy (Barrett, Priscilla, Jay, Mrs. Kramer) and drama (Eugene and Katrina) well. I voted for Something... because the humor was crisper in the end. 


Thanks for reading this long-winded post! Feel free to sound off with your comments and questions in the comments section below! Later this week, we'll go over FP3: The New Kid in Town.