In September of 1996, a show came around that ended up being an important part of so many people's childhoods. That show was Blue's Clues. Blue's Clues quickly became a fan-favorite show for a countless number of kids. Kids loved helping Steve find clues that were left by Blue. The show's colorful cast of talking objects, as well as the adorable Blue and the lovable Steve, made a huge impact on kids. Like all shows, the original Blue's Clues series couldn't go on forever. However, that didn't mean that the franchise had to end. To this day, the Blue's Clues franchise is still going on and is still bringing joy to so many people.
The Steve era (1996 - 2002)
For the franchise's earliest years, Blue's Clues was hosted by Steven Burns. Steve was the very first host of Blue's Clues, so he helped show future hosts how to host the franchise. Steve was and still is one of the most popular parts of the whole franchise. His sweet, innocent demeanor and close friendship with the viewers made him an important person in so many people's lives. Steve served as the host of the first four seasons. He was also the star of 2000's Blue's Big Musical Movie. Steve decided that the fourth season would be his last, so a new host was brought on. Steve left for college. He did come back for two guest appearances in the fifth season and has made guest appearances in the reboot. However, he hasn't been the host since 2002. Despite that, he's still considered to be the heart of the franchise and the most iconic of the human characters.
The Joe era (2002 - 2007)
Donovan Patton was brought on towards the end of the fourth season to play Joe, Steve's younger brother. Joe became the new host after Steve taught him how to play Blue's Clues. Joe became the new host at the end of the fourth season and was the host of the fifth and sixth seasons. The sixth season was the last season of the original series. However, the franchise didn't end, because a spin-off series, which was called Blue's Room, was around. Blue's Room had Blue as a puppet that could talk. Since she could talk to the viewers, a human host was no longer needed. However, Joe was brought into the show as a supporting character. Joe stopped being the host in 2004, but he didn't stop being a regular character in the franchise until Blue's Room ended in 2007. At first, Joe didn't receive the warmest reception from fans, because fans were upset about Steve being replaced. However, in recent years, Joe has been looked more favorably amongst fans. Like Steve, Joe hasn't been the host in a long time, but he's still a part of the franchise. He has a recurring role in the new series.
After Blue's Room ended, the Blue's Clues franchise seemed to be mostly over. Reruns of the original series kept airing, but there wasn't any new content for a long time. Thankfully, the franchise would eventually return.
The Josh era (2019 - ongoing)
In 2019, Josh Dela Cruz became the host of Blue's Clues & You!. Blue's Clues & You! serves as the newest incarnation of the franchise. Josh Dela Cruz plays Josh, Steve and Joe's cousin. Josh grew up being a fan of the original series, so getting to host the franchise has been a dream come true for him. Josh's enthusiasm and great singing voice has helped him win over the fans. Josh has been the host of Blue's Clues & You! since the beginning. Also, he was the star of 2022's Blue's Big City Adventure, a film that also had Steve and Joe in it. Blue's Clues & You! is currently on its fourth season and is expected to have a fifth season.
It's comforting to know that the Blue's Clues franchise is still a wonderful franchise after all these years. I have seen a lot of franchises go down in quality, but Blue's Clues hasn't had that problem. Steve set such a high standard that it seemed very hard for the franchise to go on without him as the host. However, all three eras of Blue's Clues have been absolutely delightful. Steve, Joe and Josh are all lovable hosts that are a joy to watch. As for Blue, she's still as adorable and enjoyable as ever. Blue has shown us that as long as we use our minds and take a step out of time, we can do anything that we want to do.
The Steve era (1996 - 2002)
For the franchise's earliest years, Blue's Clues was hosted by Steven Burns. Steve was the very first host of Blue's Clues, so he helped show future hosts how to host the franchise. Steve was and still is one of the most popular parts of the whole franchise. His sweet, innocent demeanor and close friendship with the viewers made him an important person in so many people's lives. Steve served as the host of the first four seasons. He was also the star of 2000's Blue's Big Musical Movie. Steve decided that the fourth season would be his last, so a new host was brought on. Steve left for college. He did come back for two guest appearances in the fifth season and has made guest appearances in the reboot. However, he hasn't been the host since 2002. Despite that, he's still considered to be the heart of the franchise and the most iconic of the human characters.
The Joe era (2002 - 2007)
Donovan Patton was brought on towards the end of the fourth season to play Joe, Steve's younger brother. Joe became the new host after Steve taught him how to play Blue's Clues. Joe became the new host at the end of the fourth season and was the host of the fifth and sixth seasons. The sixth season was the last season of the original series. However, the franchise didn't end, because a spin-off series, which was called Blue's Room, was around. Blue's Room had Blue as a puppet that could talk. Since she could talk to the viewers, a human host was no longer needed. However, Joe was brought into the show as a supporting character. Joe stopped being the host in 2004, but he didn't stop being a regular character in the franchise until Blue's Room ended in 2007. At first, Joe didn't receive the warmest reception from fans, because fans were upset about Steve being replaced. However, in recent years, Joe has been looked more favorably amongst fans. Like Steve, Joe hasn't been the host in a long time, but he's still a part of the franchise. He has a recurring role in the new series.
After Blue's Room ended, the Blue's Clues franchise seemed to be mostly over. Reruns of the original series kept airing, but there wasn't any new content for a long time. Thankfully, the franchise would eventually return.
The Josh era (2019 - ongoing)
In 2019, Josh Dela Cruz became the host of Blue's Clues & You!. Blue's Clues & You! serves as the newest incarnation of the franchise. Josh Dela Cruz plays Josh, Steve and Joe's cousin. Josh grew up being a fan of the original series, so getting to host the franchise has been a dream come true for him. Josh's enthusiasm and great singing voice has helped him win over the fans. Josh has been the host of Blue's Clues & You! since the beginning. Also, he was the star of 2022's Blue's Big City Adventure, a film that also had Steve and Joe in it. Blue's Clues & You! is currently on its fourth season and is expected to have a fifth season.
It's comforting to know that the Blue's Clues franchise is still a wonderful franchise after all these years. I have seen a lot of franchises go down in quality, but Blue's Clues hasn't had that problem. Steve set such a high standard that it seemed very hard for the franchise to go on without him as the host. However, all three eras of Blue's Clues have been absolutely delightful. Steve, Joe and Josh are all lovable hosts that are a joy to watch. As for Blue, she's still as adorable and enjoyable as ever. Blue has shown us that as long as we use our minds and take a step out of time, we can do anything that we want to do.
