Steve Burns, The First Host Of "Blue’s Clues" Finally Opens Up About Why He Left The Show

A whole generation of kids who grew up watching Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues was in nostalgic woe as their beloved host from the show made a surprise comeback for the 25th anniversary of the show. Steve Burns was the very first host of the series that launched in 1996. The educational TV show with the two-dimensional spotted blue dog and Steve where they try to figure things out in an interactive way was a hit with preschoolers who are now in their 20s. But after six years on the show, Steve left with his rucksack and suitcase on a two-dimensional bus. Just like that, an era came to an end and Steve was replaced by Joe. 

At the time, no one knew why Steve left the show and many people were upset with his departure. But finally, nearly two decades later, Steve is back in his signature green-striped shirt and offered an explanation about his departure through a video on the official Nick Jr Twitter Account. Back in the animated house, an older and wiser Steve said, "You remember how when we were younger, we used to run around and hang out with Blue and find clues and talk to Mr. Salt and freak out about the mail and do all the fun stuff? And then one day, I was like, 'Oh hey, guess what? Big news, I'm leaving. Here's my brother Joe, he's your new best friend,' and then I got on a bus and I left and we didn't see each other for like a really long time? Can we just talk about that? Great. Because I realize that was kind of abrupt."

That took everyone down memory lane to the time they were kids and watching Steve dancing with Blue. He then went on to say, that he had decided to college. "And that was really challenging, by the way, but great because I got to use my mind and take a step at a time, and now I literally am doing many of the things that I wanted to do." He then addressed the grown-ups who grew up watching him saying, “And then look at you, and look at all you have done and all you have accomplished in all that time. And it’s just — it’s just so amazing.” 

By now, there was not a dry eye in the house but then Steve got real. "I mean, we started out with clues and now, it's what? Student loans and jobs and families? And some of it has been kind of hard, you know? I know you know," he said in a gentle tone that must have felt like a hug from a long-lost friend. He then went on to say, "I wanted to tell you that I really couldn't have done all of that without your help and in fact, all the help that you helped me with when we were younger is still helping me today, right now. And that's super cool. I guess I just wanted to say that after all these years, I never forgot you. Ever. And I'm super glad we're still friends." Cue the waterworks.

This two-minute video has already been watched 33.3 million times. Reflecting the sentiment a lot of us were feeling, Marconi, a radio host tweeted, "I didn't know I needed Blues Clues closure but I can now finally move on. Thank you, Steve!" Gaby Spartz said: "This hit me so hard in the feels. Where do I sign up for grownup Blues Clues, where Steve helps us find a clue about mortgages, insurance, work, etc?" Which is actually not a bad idea at all.