Interview:Paul McCusker (February 2001)
- In February of 2001, Paul McCusker took time out of his day to answer many of my questions. A long time member of the "Adventures in Odyssey" team, Paul has written close to 200 episodes and currently serves as the Executive Producer of the series.
- You started writing for "Adventures in Odyssey" around the time the series was conceived. How did you initially get involved with it?
In 1987, Chuck Bolte, a good friend of mine, was consulting with Focus on the Family on their radio dramas. He asked if I wanted to try writing a few. I hadn't written anything like that, but said yes anyway, mostly for the experience. Producer Steve Harris contacted me and asked me to write what later became #15: “My Brother's Keeper” for the "Family Portraits" series. That then led to a job offer.
- What is the most rewarding part about working on a program like "Adventures in Odyssey"?
I enjoy the writing, of course, and the interaction with the rest of the team, brainstorming, and working with the actors. More than anything I suppose I enjoy the satisfaction of hearing a finished show that touches people.
- What are the writer's meetings like? What do you discuss?
The writer's meetings vary a lot. But mostly we discuss specific storylines, characters and the overall direction of the show - just to make sure we haven't lost track of what we're supposed to do.
- Where did you often find inspiration when writing your scripts? (Television, Books, the Bible, Movies, etc... )
I find inspiration in everything you mentioned. And life itself. I think most writer's do. There's rarely only one place that feeds into the imagination.
- Of all the episodes AIO has produced, which two would you say are your ultimate favorites?
I've listed my "favorites" in the Odyssey Guide and I think most of those still stand.
Paul's entry in "The Complete Guide to Adventures in Odyssey":
3. Gone...
5. A Touch of Healing / Where Is Thy Sting?
- Which script you would say was your toughest one to write?
To be honest, I can't think of one that was tougher than any others. Each script presents new challenges, I suppose.
- If you were to compare yourself to any character in Odyssey, which one can you most relate to? Why?
All of them, to some degree, but no one in particular. I think the characters have been a blending of the writers and the actors.
- Where is Philip Glossman now? Any plans to bring him, or Blackgaard back in the future?
Blackgaard, as you know, is dead, and the computer projection of himself is erased, so I don't see how we'd bring him back. Ever. And Philip Glossman is still sweating it out in a Mexican jail for selling illegal Velvet Elvis paintings.
- (The question most fans want answered) What are you going to do about the whole Eugene and Katrina ordeal?
What ordeal? They're engaged and are planning to get married. Why is that an ordeal? (A good friend of mine was engaged to be married for 8 years before she made it to the altar.) And, of course, the other question is this: is AIO in real time? Is each episode only a day or two days? A week? So: how long have Eugene and Katrina really been engaged? A few months? A year? Five years?
- Of all the many great moments in Odyssey, is there any one in particular that has touched you more than others?
For me, there were moments connected to Mortal Coil, #213: “Best Intentions”, #318: "A Touch of Healing", #320: “Where Is Thy Sting?” And other shows like that that touched me. Sometimes it has to do with the writing, other times with the actors in the studio.
- (I'm sure you've heard this before) Have you considered writing another 'Passages' novel? Or another Odyssey based book for that matter?
Coming back as Executive Producer has killed my time for writing AIO novels. So, for the moment, we don't have any plans for more Passages stories. Marshal Younger is working on some AIO-related books, though.
- What is your current role on the AIO team?
I'm Executive Producer over AIO and Focus on the Family Radio Theatre, which means I'm responsible for the overall direction, writing and production of what we do. Having said that, though, we have great teams in place for both programs, which makes my job a lot easier than it might be.
- Who's idea was the Novacom storyline? Why was it decided to create another story arc?
When I returned from England last March to work on AIO again, I had the seeds of the Novacom story arc in my mind. I presented it to the team and we've been developing it ever since.
- Along those same lines, how long do you anticipate the Novacom storyline lasting?
You'll remember that the Blackgaard story arc developed over a couple of hundred episodes. This might do the same. I can't really say one way or the other. It depends on how long we believe we can create good stories from it.
- Which direction (more kid oriented vs. young adult oriented programming) do you feel Odyssey should take?
I think one of the secrets to Odyssey's success has been its variety. So I wouldn't be inclined to say it should always be one type of show or another. I think it's fun to have a comedy one week, an Imagination Station the next, a couple of Story Arc shows the week after, a slice-of-life kid's show after that, etc., etc. Listeners don't know what to expect from week to week and we enjoy ourselves coming up with new ideas.
- Will you ever return to the writer's table and write another script for Odyssey?
As long as we have a team of writers who are dedicated to doing their best for Odyssey, then there's no need for me to write scripts right now.
- Do you have any advice for anyone who might one day want to pursue a career in working on "Adventures in Odyssey", or a show like it?
AIO is a very unique program in Christian circles, so I don't know that there's such a thing as a career in a show "like it." For our on-staff team, we tend to work with people are have a wide-range of writing experience and understand the discipline of writing for the radio. Everything else develops from there.
- If you had one wish in the world, what would it be?
One wish? I'd wish for more wishes.
- Thanks, Paul, for taking the time to answer my many questions, and congratulations on a great career!