OTN’s ‘Mark Zito Show’ celebrates 50th program

“The Mark Zito Show” on the Orange Television and Radio Network (OTN) will celebrate its 50th show of the 2009-10 school year with a live broadcast from Syracuse University’s Food.com Cafe on Monday, Dec. 7. Set to start at 7 p.m., the show—Zito’s first ever with a studio audience—will raise money for Paige’s Butterfly Run, an event to help children with pediatric cancer.

If at least $1,000 is raised, Zito has pledged to shave his head during the broadcast.

“I think this event is a fantastic way for our show to give back to the community. Plus, I think it will build up some goodwill with the large amount of the females who don’t like me. I mean, c’mon, how could you not like the guy helping out kids with cancer,” Zito says.

The live broadcast will also feature musical guest Julian Velard, who will play songs off his newly released album, “The Planeteer.”

In addition, Zito promises visits from his normal crew and many surprises for the in-studio audience. “To me, the best part of doing radio is that you can say mean things about people without them being there to confront you. So, this might be awkward. But hey, again, raising money for the kids!”

“The Mark Zito Show,” heard live Monday- Thursday at 7 p.m., is the only live syndicated college radio show in the country.

Zito, 22, a native of East Greenwich, R.I., says he will leave his senior year at SU with fond memories of the show.