Steve Burns, the original host of children’s series Blue’s Clues, has returned to film a touching video message celebrating the show’s 25th anniversary.
Burns joined the program when it debuted in 1996, and served as the show’s host up until 2002 when he departed after nearly six years, 100 episodes and a Daytime Emmy nomination.
In the new video, Burns reprises his classic green striped shirt and stands in front of the show’s same red and yellow wallpaper design. Speaking in the same quiet, warm tone he adopted when speaking to his audience on the show.
“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 about the mail and do all the fun stuff?” Burns says. “And then one day I was like, ‘Oh hey, guess what? Big news, I’m leaving.'”
“I realise that was kind of abrupt. I just kind of got up and went 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 I wanted to do.
“And then look at you! And look at all you have done and all you have accomplished in all that time. It’s just so amazing, right? 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.”
That’s where Burns’ message starts to really pull at the heartstrings, with the former host saying “I really couldn’t have done all of that without your help.”
“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.” Cue the bloody waterworks.
Watch Burns’ message below.
So about that time Steve went off to college… #BluesClues25 pic.twitter.com/O8NOM2eRjy
— Nick Jr. (@nickjr) September 7, 2021
