The Popsicle Kid
Romans 12:2
“The Popsicle Kid” is episode #480 of the Adventures in Odyssey audio series. It was written by Torry Martin, and originally aired on December 22, 2001.
Summary
Rodney Rathbone discourages Austin O'Conner from hanging around Colby Cabrera because he's “weird.” Wooton Bassett and the kids try to win a Christmas decorating contest.
Plot
It's the annual Christmas party at Whit's End and Rodney is up to his usual tricks. He's teasing Austin for the gift he got - a race car made out of Popsicle sticks. In fact, he even knows who made it - Colby Cabrera. Colby and Ashley Jenkins join Rodney and Austin to talk about the upcoming Downhill Derby, and Colby encourages Austin to enter the Popsicle stick car. While trying to stay in good standing with Rodney, Austin makes fun of Colby's gift car in front of him.
At Wooton's house, Colby and Austin work on a yard display for the annual Christmas decorating contest. The prize goes to the best decorated neighborhood. Bart Rathbone, Wooton's neighbor, tells him the yard will never win and persuades him to accept decorations Bart loans him from the Electric Palace. When Wooton uses the decorations in a way Bart doesn't like, Bart takes them back, wrecking Wooton's display in the process. Wooton gets another idea for the display.
Meanwhile, Tom is having trouble with cookies at Whit's End. Austin offers to makes some. Colby comes in to talk to Austin and apologize for making an embarrassing car. Austin is about to admit to liking Colby's car when Rodney comes in. With Rodney there, Austin backs off from admiting he likes Colby's car and says nothing about making cookies. After he leaves, however, Austin makes the cookies and they are very good.
Wooton shows up asking about a Popsicle company and offers to show Austin a recipe that his aunt gave him for coconut cookies. Later, Rodney finds Ashley, Colby, and Austin at Whit's End and tells Austin that he took a picture of Austin cooking. After Rodney leaves, Austin expects the other two to make fun of him, but they instead compliment him on the cookies.
The day of the race arrives and Austin enters the car that Colby gave him, despite Rodney's taunting. That evening, Bart watches the news and finds that not only did his neighborhood not win the contest, Wooton won "Most Original Yard Design." Wooton's popsicle stick stable caught the judges' eyes.
Later, Colby and Austin show up at Wooton's house to congratulate Wooton on his win. Austin tells Wooton that his car won "Most Original Car Design," thanks to the car that Colby made for him.
Discussion Questions
- Why did Austin make fun of Colby at the beginning?
- Do you think he would have made fun if Rodney wasn't there?
- How is being "different" a good thing?
- Read Romans 12:2. How do you think God wants us to be "different?"
Cast
Heard in episode
Mentioned in episode
| Character | Mentioned By |
|---|---|
| John Whittaker | Austin O'Conner |
| Monty Whittaker | Tom Riley |
| Jenny Whittaker-Dowd | Tom Riley |
Notes
- Trivia
- Whit was originally supposed to be in this episode. However, Paul Herlinger was unable to fly from his home in Tacoma to the recording session in Los Angeles because of airport delays following the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Since Walker Edmiston was already at the studio to play Bart Rathbone in this episode, they rewrote Whit's part for Tom. It was briefly explained Whit was visiting his family for Christmas.
- Chris says in the wraps of this episode, “...And I'm Chris, hoping you have a great Christmas and a happy New Year!” instead of her normal sign-off.
- Tom's line in this episode “Some of the best chefs in the world are men” was also used in #382: “Viva La Difference”, spoken by Traci Mulligan.
- Audio
- Musical cues in this episode include selections from “Deck the Halls” the the ballet The Nutcracker.
- Reviews
Quotes
Rodney Rathbone: It didn't take no genius to figure it out.
Ashley Jenkins: Lucky for you.
Bart Rathbone: And what does a roasting pan have to do with Christ'a'mas?
Wooton Bassett: Oh, you know you see, I'm using it to show that even though the world is full of sin, and dirty car parts and roasting pans that God still sent his son to us in the middle of it cause he loves us an stuff and that's why we celebrate Christmas. Besides won't it look great when the lights are turned on?
Bart Rathbone: You and your yard are an embarrassment to the whole neighborhood. This place is an eyesore. And everybody but you knows it.
Wooton Bassett: Whoah. Everybody? Yeah, but I haven't heard anything from anyone else.
Bart Rathbone: That's because I'm the only one around here, who doesn't have a problem with hurting other people's feelings. This is the ugliest Christ'a'mas display in the history of Odyssey and everybody agrees. I'm gonna prove it. I will prove it to ya!
Bart Rathbone: I'm here on official business, not a social call.
Wooton Bassett: Oh, official business? Wow, should I put on a tie?
Bart Rathbone: Nah, that won't be necessarial.
Wooton Bassett: Oh, that's good, cause I don't have a tie.
Wooton Bassett: Let me ask you something. Who would you rather be Rodney Rathbone or Colby Cabrera?
Colby Cabrera: Well, myself, of course.
Wooton Bassett: Then that's who you should be. You know you can't stop being yourself because you get made fun of. I didn't stop being myself and look where it got me. Oh, maybe that's a bad illustration.
Rodney Rathbone: A car made out of popsicle sticks. That's weaker than zit cream.
Wooton Bassett: First my yard wins most original because of you, and now your car. I guess it's been confirmed twice then.
Colby Cabrera: What has?
Wooton Bassett: There's no doubt about it, Colby: you're an original.
Austin O'Conner: Wooton, what's with the flamingo in the stable?
Wooton Bassett: Oh, she's not a flamingo anymore, Austin. Not since I painted her anyway. She's a cow.
Bart Rathbone: [after watching Wooton win the competition] That proves it. There is nothing good on the T & V anymore!!
Bart Rathbone: Oh... boy, do you need help.
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