Howard Stern to host Bruce Springsteen in studio despite COVID concerns

Howard Stern will return to his Manhattan SiriusXM studio on Monday for the first time in more than two years to interview none other than Bruce Springsteen.

The 68-year-old radio show host has been interviewing guests via Zoom while he broadcasts from the basement of his Hamptons home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The noted germaphobe and his wife, Beth, have had very limited interaction with the outside world since it all began.

But on his Wednesday show, Stern said The Boss requested his first appearance on “The Howard Stern Show” be in person.

“Bruce was saying he thinks it would be nice if we’re sitting together in the studio — I’ve spoken to Bruce and agreed to do that,” Stern said. “You know me, I haven’t been out of the house in two years.”

“If I was going to get COVID, I wouldn’t mind getting it from Bruce,” he added.

The shock jock admitted he’ll be a “nervous wreck” this weekend in preparation for the interview, but also said COVID-19 tests will be taken before the sit-down.

Stern’s journey back into the city could be an emotional one. While he said he’s never cried on air, that could change Monday.

“I feel like the pressure is… it should be the second coming of Christ, like Bruce walks in and suddenly something magical happens,” Stern said. “I just want him to have a good time and be comfortable.”

Stern previously reasoned that he and Beth were being cautious against contracting the virus, but when the world started to open up, he continued to work from home.

“For me, [COVID] is still going on, and I haven’t left my house,” Stern admitted. “I can’t figure out how to integrate myself,” he told guest and friend Jimmy Kimmel in September.

“I’m at my happiest,” Stern said about staying home with his wife. “This is my dream.”

However, he finally enjoyed a night out with some famous friends on Oct. 1 at the Israeli restaurant Laser Wolf in Williamsburg.