Blue’s Clues – Nostalgia Central

1 9 9 6 – 2 0 0 6 (USA)
177 x 25 minute episodes

“We are looking for Blue’s Clues, ’cause they’re really fun!”

This play-along show allowed its preschool audience to “step inside” their TV and become part of a bright, fanciful world where the host, Steve (Burns), lived with his animated puppy, Blue (voiced by the show’s co-creator Traci Paige Johnson).

The audience actively participated in Steve’s daily routine – he constantly broke the fourth wall and spoke directly to the young viewers – and helped solve everyday problems, all within a context of entertaining games and activities.

The show took place in a vibrant, candy-coloured world filled with talking household objects, such as Mailbox (voiced by Michael Rubin); Side Table Drawer (Aleisha Allen), which kept Steve’s “Handy Dandy Notebook” safe until game time; and the Shaker family – Mr Salt (Nick Balaban), Mrs Pepper (Spencer Kayden) and their children, Paprika and Cinnamon.

Blue would leave blue paw prints on the clues, and once all the clues were drawn in Steve’s notebook, he and Blue would sit down in his big red “Thinking Chair” and piece the logic together and solve the puzzle.

The show deliberately moved at a slow pace to allow its preschool viewers time to think.

When Steve moved away to college in 2002 (actor Steve Burns’ five-year contract was up, and he wanted to pursue his musical career), he was replaced by Steve’s younger brother, Joe (Donovan Patton).

A modern CGI revival (Blue’s Clues & You!) debuted in 2019 with Josh Dela Cruz as the new host.

“Now it’s time to say goodbye, To Blue and you and all our friends.
Goodbye! Bye-bye!”

Steve
Steve Burns
Blue
Traci Paige Johnson (voice/barks)
Joe
Donovan Patton
Mailbox
Michael Rubin
Side Table Drawer
Aleisha Allen
Mr Salt
Nick Balaban
Mrs Pepper
Spencer Kayden