Derek Schultz’s irrational fear of pelicans, boasting about being a miracle triplet and his obsession with My Little Pony dolls have been on an 8-month hiatus.

So have Jake Query’s workout ramblings, his love of talking like a pirate and his uncanny knowledge of all things Indianapolis.

And, of course, both of their ingenious takes on all things sports was lost when the “Query & Schultz” radio show was taken off the air in January as part of massive corporate layoffs by iHeartMedia.

After 200+ days without the bantering duo, “Query & Schultz” returns this week — this time on television. Their daily radio gig has morphed into a TV show that airs once a week on ISC Sports Network.  

“The core of it will be the same, but going from a 4-hour daily radio show to a once-a-week television show will obviously make the show different,” said Schultz. “I don’t think we can say exactly what it’s going to be, because this is new for us, too.”

The tagline for the new “Query & Schultz” is “A show about sports… mostly.”

“Because you can get sports stuff anywhere,” Schultz said. “We try to bring our own spin on things, incorporate local, unique, quirky things that make Indianapolis special, while also not taking ourselves too seriously.”

The concept of the show is different and the approach will be, too, Query said. He likens the new “Query & Schultz” to “Pardon the Interruption” on ESPN.

“Yet, the core ingredients will stay the same,” Query said, “a discussion of sports accentuated with the sprinkles of whatever off-path stories may annoy Derek that day.”

The “Query & Schultz” radio show had a nearly 9-year run and, when it ended in January, the two started seeking other ways to remain on air.

After a long non-compete clause and two other deals falling apart, Schultz said they are excited to be back. The show will air weekly 6 p.m. Wednesday on ISC Sports Network (Xfinity 81), as well multiple ISCSportsNetwork.com platforms.  Ahead of the show’s debut this week, IndyStar asked each show host a couple of questions about the other.

Schultz: ‘He’s extremely jealous of me’

What did you miss the most about Query while you were on your hiatus?

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss Jake a tiny bit, but what I missed the most was being there for the city during the challenges of the pandemic,” Schultz said. “People were really hurting over the past six months, especially local businesses like bars and restaurants, many of whom we have strong friendships and connections with. Yeah, Jake and I still had our Twitter accounts, but while sitting out a non-compete from our previous job, it was very difficult to not have a show platform to try to help these places and people.”

What do you most look forward to about being back with Query?

“Getting to be back with my BFF,” Schultz said. “Seriously, though, I think we naturally have chemistry. I’ve always thought of it as a big brother/little brother thing. We make fun of each other. I get it way worse because deep down he’s extremely jealous of my talent. But at the end of the day, the show wouldn’t have worked for eight and a half years if we didn’t go to bat for one another. I’ve never met anyone in my life who loves his hometown as much as Jake loves Indianapolis and I think that’s always been a key part of what has endeared the show to our local audience.”

Query: ‘He’s texted me 6 times a day’

What did you miss the most about Schultz while you were on your hiatus?

“That’s hard to answer,” Query said. “He’s texted me about six times a day, so I guess I missed having the excuse of obligation as to why I actually responded.”

What do you most look forward to about being back with Schultz?

“There’s no denying that Derek is a talented guy,” Query said. “His dry sense of humor and timing make me chuckle. I think to a lot of people, that escape is needed now more than ever.”

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Dana Benbow on Twitter: @DanaBenbow. Reach her via email: dbenbow@indystar.com.