By Samantha Abram, Staff Writer

Hofstra University’s longest running show, “For Your Island” (“FYI”), aired its 100th episode. The show aired at 4 p.m. on Dec. 5, on Hofstra’s TV Channel 35.

This is the show’s 25th season. Each episode lasts 30 minutes, and covers everything from arts and culture to entertainment on Long Island. Each episode is produced by television production seniors alongside faculty advisor and department head Peter Gershon, Ph.D. and James N Cohen.

“Monday’s show was wonderfully produced by television senior Lauren Anker and overseen by our Series Coordinating Producer, television senior Stephanie Hallowell,” said Peter Gershon, an audio, video and film professor.  “I am very proud of their work and equally proud of all of the students past and present who got us to our 100th episode.”  

The 100th episode featured stories about The Schade Academy of Irish Step Dancing; The Long Island Bonsai Society; Long Island Spirits, one of Long Island’s first distilleries; and a special guest interview with David Battinelli, M.D., Senior Associate Dean for Education at Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine.

“As a student years ago I was a series producer of the show,” said James N. Cohen, faculty advisor of the Radio, Television, Video and Film (RTVF) department. “Before returning as a faculty member, I produced a television show that was literally the same show as “FYI,” but for broadcast. I think “FYI” is incredible for television students because they will recognize the production format in a lot of television shows they will be working on post-graduation. The experience will prove very valuable to their success in the industry.”

The episode was dedicated to the people and places seen and interviewed. It gave a history of the Island as well as the history of each place visited. Since the show premiered in 1999, its goal has been to give information to and entertain the people of Long Island.

“I am not from Long Island, but I go to school here,” said Sophia Strawser, a freshman at the University. “Watching the show taught me so many things about Long Island that most people that lived here their entire lives don’t know.”

(Photo courtesy Foryourisland.blogspot.com)