This is the John Fugel-Sang podcast.

Thea Harper and I are back here in the Howard Stern Tower high above Gotham for 781 days since March 12, 2020.

I have been doing this from home and I moved so from both places and I've done this from so many hotel rooms when I've

traveled for work and it's amazing to be back in the chair that I last sat in on March 12th.

That was the day that Donald Trump gave an address from the Oval Office saying falsely that

the government would pay for everyone's COVID treatment and the White House

had to backtrack and cover that up right away. At the same time Trump was giving that speech,

Sarah Palin was on the mask singer. That's why I remember the night very well. It was my son's eighth birthday. We had just

had a cupcake party for him in second grade. He's more than halfway through fourth grade now in turn

10. He had just turned 8 and Chubaca and R2D2 had just been here the day before

for the home video release of Star Wars episode 9. This is how long ago it's been since we've been here.

781 days since we broadcast.

We are in our normal studio and it's amazing to be back.

The place is completely empty.

I feel like Will Smith and his dog walking around up here. We've come back a

couple of times. A couple times we've had some pre-tape auditions we've, uh, interviews we've done and I had a photo shoot here and

I came back to do a great town hall special with little Stephen Van Zand.

But it's really remarkable to be back.

The current COVID-19 alert level in New York City is now medium, which means the risk of COVID-19 is increasing.

I just want to give my thanks to everyone at SeriousXM for letting us begin a hybridized

return.

Thea, I love working with you,

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