Abridged episodes

Abridged episodes are ones in which content has been removed from the the original broadcast and not featured in a subsequent radio airing, online airing, or album release. Note: Changes to episode 'wrap-a-rounds' are included separately here.

All versions

Whit's Flop

Several minutes were removed around 1990, presumably to make Odyssey's first episode faster paced. The OUSA version and the original AIO revision were the same.

Promises, Promises

All scenes with Officer Harley in the OUSA version were removed from the AIO version. The middle section of the episode was expanded later to make up some of the lost time.

The Tangled Web

The scene with Officer Harley in the OUSA version was re-recorded with "Harry Snoopnagle" for the AIO version. Several contradictions brought about by the changed ending were also fixed and Connie's mom was added at episode's end.

My Brother's Keeper

The Family Portrait version has quite a bit of material later cut from the OUSA/AIO versions.

A Member of the Family, Part 1

The Odyssey USA version has several minutes of additional scenes and also the replacement of Jimmy with Connie. The first AIO version of this episode was created around 2003 and it includes none of the Odyssey USA additions.

A Member of the Family, Part 2

The Odyssey USA version has a few additional scenes sprinkled throughout the episode and also the replacement of references to Jimmy with Connie. The first AIO version of this episode was created around 2003 and it includes none of the Odyssey USA additions.

Recollections

Officer Harley's scenes in the OUSA version were shortened in the AIO version.

A Simple Addition

Jimmy, the worker at Whit's End in the original Family Portraits version was removed and a few other lines also cut from the OUSA and AIO versions.

A Single Vote

The ending with Whit was edited after the original airing. Whit originally claimed the story was completely true. The change was effective for the album version and all subsequent airings.

Our Best Vacation Ever

A scene where Jimmy sang "It's a Small World" on the original version was removed from the album version and all subsequent versions due to copyright worries from Disney.

Good Business

A few lines were re-recorded to better explain the meaning of episode. According to The Official Guide and an AIO Scrapbook on album 14, this was due to listener complaints about episode being anti-capitalist.

You Go to School Where?

Several lines have been cut from newer versions of this episode.

Isaac the Insecure

A few minor changes in newer versions of this episode.

A...is for Attitude

Many scenes were shortened for the album version and all subsequent airings to remove almost any reference to "Dr. Vincent Van Schpeele" who was originally a central part of the episode. He was almost certainly a direct reference to the Christian writer Norman Vincent Peale who wrote "The Power of Positive Thinking."

Sixties-Something

Josh Guthrie has a speech at the end where he says the ideas from the sixties failed. The updated version rephrases why the ideas didn't work with "Not in this world. Not with people the way they are."

You Gotta Be Wise

Originally, Whit said that lyrics to a song were what make it wrong to listen to. This was removed due to listener complaints according to Official Guide. Also, the episode originally had one of the band's songs being played in it's entirety. This presumably was also removed due to listener complaints.

The Painting

The original version of this episode included one extra line in the second to last scene where the Rabbi said "You have atoned for your sin." There is now a brief pause in the middle of the line in the current version.

Black Clouds

The original version contained the Ethel's quip "I don't care for the French" after Joanne said she liked the candles because it reminded her of a French restaurant. This line was removed for the album version and all subsequent airings.

Album Only

A Time for Action, Part 1

The last line from part 1 has been cut for the album release.

The Inspiration Station, Part 1

Some lines have been cut (but more was added than removed on the cd release)

Wooton’s Broken Pencil Show

A few lines have been cut (but much more was added than removed on the cd release)

Radio/Online only

Some especially long episodes were shortened in the 1990s for the radio/online versions - presumably to add time for more commercials. These changes have not been made to any album releases.

• #72: “An Encounter with Mrs. Hooper”
• #84: “The Battle, Part 2”
• #88: “Elijah, Part 2”
• #90: “But, You Promised”
• #92: “The Ill-Gotten Deed”
• #93: “Rescue from Manatugo Point”
• #95: “The Very Best of Friends”
• #101: “Scattered Seeds”