Fox News, CBS morning show hosts return to broadcast studios

The hosts of morning programs on CBS and Fox News returned to broadcasting from their respective studios in Manhattan on Monday after more than three months of hosting remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Fox & Friends” addressed the return at the top of its program on Monday.

Before the pandemic, the program usually featured its three hosts together on a couch, but Monday’s show had Steve Doocy, Ainsley Earhardt and Brian Kilmeade sitting apart in the network’s cavernous Studio N.

“Live from New York City, ladies and gentleman. After 100 days apart, we are all back in the studio again social distancing, but nonetheless it’s good to be back live in the big room,” Doocy said. 

He later said that all people entering the network’s world headquarters in midtown Manhattan are required to wear a mask.

“And so when we come into the building we do, but because we are socially distanced and we’ve got our own little zones we are free not to wear it,” he said.

Earhardt offered thanks to Fox News staff working behind the cameras, many of whom continued to work from Fox’s headquarters in New York City.

At CBS News headquarters on New York’s West Side, “CBS This Morning” hosts Gayle King and Anthony Mason also returned, with co-host Tony Dokoupil remaining at his home studio in Brooklyn. Dokoupil told viewers the hosts will rotate in broadcasting from home.

“Because we want to be cautious, what we’re going to do is one of us will broadcast remotely just for the time being, and of those who are going in, it’s only the essential people to get us on TV everyday,” said Dokoupil. “And we are taking all the precautions. We’re being as safe as we possibly can be.”

“Anthony, I couldn’t sleep last night,” King said to Mason at the show open. “I’m either nervous or excited. I’m not nervous so, I know I’m very excited to be here.”

“I couldn’t sleep last night. I’m either nervous or excited. I’m not nervous so I know I’m very excited to be here.”

After almost 100 days, @GayleKing & @AnthonyMasonCBS are back in Studio 57! @tonydokoupil will continue working from home for now, along with most of the staff. pic.twitter.com/NlFziAIk1t

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) June 22, 2020

The move back from the programs comes as New York City entered a large reopening phase on Monday, with thousands of offices receiving workers back for the first time since the city essentially shut down in March.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) said over the weekend he estimates as many as 300,000 people would return to workplaces this week.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) said during his Monday press conference that 10 New Yorkers died of COVID-19 on Sunday, the lowest daily toll since March 21.