Younger millennials are breathing a collective sigh of relief after learning that former “Blue’s Clues” host Steve Burns is doing well since he signed off some 20 years ago — and that he never forgot about his now-adult fans.
To celebrate the Nickelodeon show’s 25th anniversary, Burns, now 47, shared an emotional message with his most devoted set of viewers, now aged roughly between 25 and 34.
And the daytime Emmy nominee went into full children’s TV mode — striking a chord of nostalgia.
“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?” said Burns, who donned his iconic green striped shirt for the clip. “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? Because I realize that was kind of abrupt.”
Rumors swirled at the time speculating why Burns, who helped launch the show in 1996 before departing six years later, would leave so suddenly — hardly giving young fans time to process the transition. (It was later revealed that part of the reason the host called it a wrap was over his rapid hair loss, as well as an interest in pursuing a career in music.)
“I just kinda 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 that 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. And it’s just, it’s just so amazing, right? 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.”
It’s a poignant message for today’s young millennials, who have struggled to catch up — economically, socially, even spiritually — to their Boomer and Gen X forbears.
“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,” said Burns. “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.”
Since posting on Tuesday afternoon, Burns’ clip has garnered millions of views across social platforms, including Twitter and YouTube, and fans came in droves to express their gratitude towards the former Nick Jr. star.
Clearly, it was something they needed to hear.
“Hearing [S]teve again… takes me back to a time when happiness felt so simple and kindness came so easily,” a follower noted, grabbing support from 5,800 users. “To the kids who were tiny back when I was, in the 90s/00s, please keep being kind to yourselves, even if no one else is. Don’t stop believing in you.”
Because Steve never did.