Steve Burns, the original host of Nickelodeon’s preschool television show Blue’s Clues, made an appearance this week in a video celebrating the network’s 25th anniversary causing a flood of emotion across the internet. Millennials and Gen Zers (and their moms) were moved, some to tears, with his sincere and loving message addressing his long absence and expressing gratitude for their support and positive impact on the character’s life. 

Former viewers of the show, now all grown up and saddled with responsibility, were greeted with the familiar cadence of speech the show’s hosts employ leaving room for the audience’s at home response. Given the intensity of the last few years, it’s no wonder fans of the show were so emotional at the reappearance of an old friend acknowledging their feelings and appearing to listen and understand.  

Burns’s sudden departure from the show in 2002 sparked rumors of a cancer diagnosis further fueled by the addition of a hair loss hiding ball cap to his wardrobe on the show and what some audience members insisted was a pale appearance. Burns thoughtfully made talk show appearances at the time reassuring parents and kids that he had male pattern baldness and was not dying. 

Following his departure from Blue’s Clues, Burns released the album Songs for Dustmites with help from members of The Flaming Lips. A single from the 2003 release, “Mighty Little Man”, is the current theme song for the show Young Sheldon which premieres its fifth season on CBS in October of this year. Burns also made an appearance on the show in 2020 playing the part of Nathan, a Star Trek enthusiast. 

Since we last helped him with clues, our friend Steve has kept quite busy acting, creating music, and traveling. You can follow further adventures via his IG account @steveburnsalive.