Amarillo, It’s Okay If Steve’s Blues Clues Update Hits Home
Let's be frank here. There's been a lot going on lately. There's no need to recap all that here we're all aware of the news of the day and it's just getting to the point where it's become a total mind numbing experience that has drained the humanity out of most of us. It's become the same horrible news cycle day after day and it seems like there is no relief in sight and then... a voice from the past comes out and brings just a brief moment of positivity and enlightenment that each of us so desperately need. And if you had a little bit of something in your eye after watching... you're not alone.
The original Blues Clues run on Nick Jr. took place in 1996 though 2002 and I was already in my high school years when the show came out. When you're the oldest of 4 though and your youngest siblings are 10 years from you, Steve managed to make his way on to TV a few times when I was watching and when you're a teen you don't want to admit that you're more than passively watching. It was a kids show but there was something about the simple innocence of a boy and his dog learning about the world that quietly caught me, even if I was too cool to admit it. It was kitsch... the plotlines were written for a target audience of toddlers and preschoolers but you rooted for the character and you wanted to see them find all the clues.
Then one day... Steve went to college...
That was it. Being older I knew what that meant. It meant a new host was coming along and the show wouldn't be the same. My younger siblings weren't so much concerned with it as long as blue was still there. From then on it was just another show that they watched and again id passively catch with them.
And He Walks Right Back In... when we need him most.
No. There wasn't any in depth explanations... nothing about all the rumors about where he went. By the way he actually did a lot of interesting things post blue but nothing wild like drugs or half the rumors that went around about him. It was simply Steve looking right at the camera and starting off with the simple phrase "Hey you got a minute?" like someone from HR walking into your office. From there it was him looking right into our collective souls giving us the close that many were so looking for when he stepped away and some of the lines were right to the point:
"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."
Yes Steve, I know. nothing about any of it was easy, growth and change are challenges that we overcome and the world isn't what it was when we were kids. Student loans, mortgages, bills and all the like. He didn't go into detail allowing us to insert what we needed in that last thought. He also delivered this gem
"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."
In a move that only someone like Mr. Rogers could pull off... Steve reminds us that we are just as important to him as he was to us and a confidence builder with:
"You look great by the way! Whatever you’re doing it’s working."
That's the moment right there. something about that statement hit me and honestly I think we all need that now and again. Reassurance goes a long way.
I'll admit I must have had allergies in my eyes... yeah that's it... after all a host of a TV show that wasn't really part of my childhood gave us all the positive moment we needed. Will it last? That's not for me to say but at least I know that someone has our collective backs.
Well done Steve... Well Done...