‘Blue’s Clues’ Star Steve Burns Gives Stephen Colbert a Much Needed Hug on ‘The Late Show’

Nick Jr.’s former Blue’s Clues star Steve Burns recently released a touching reminiscent video that brought millennials everywhere to tears. It resulted in an invite for Steve to appear on an episode of The Late Show this week to give host Stephen Colbert a much needed hug. An emotional Colbert tried to save face but couldn’t hold it together after feeling abandoned for 20 years since Steve left the show.

Colbert showed the two-minute message from Burns to his audience while commenting on Steve’s words throughout. The clip has gone viral since it was posted on Tuesday.

Burns then appeared to offer Colbert some emotional support, including a hug, as Colbert struggled to cope with Steve’s decision to go off to college and exit as the first host of Blue’s Clues, passing the torch on to his brother.

“Although I was aware of the show because of my kids, those kids are all grown up and moved away now,” a shaky Colbert said during the segment. “So, obviously, I have no emotional investment in Steve.”

When Burns suddenly appeared on the stage, however, the late night host looked like a deer in the headlights. “What are you doing here?” asked Colbert.

Steve, in his typical gentle fashion, said that he just wanted to check in and see if he was OK.

“I just came by, I wanted to see if you were OK,” he said. “I mean, you — you seem kind of upset, and I just wanted to know if maybe wanted a hug. I mean, that’s what friends do, right?”

“I mean if you need one or whatever,” Colbert said as if it were no big deal. As the two hugged the audience cheered.

The late night host then revealed a clue — stamped with Blue’s puppy paw as they were in the show — from behind his desk. Burns quickly responded, “Wow, great job, Stephen, let’s go tell Blue!” Both Steves then galivanted off stage.

Steve’s video message was posted by Nick Jr. as part of the show’s 25th anniversary after first debuting in 1995. Speaking to his original viewers, who are now 20 years older, he explained how he understood that his 2002 departure from the show to go to college felt sudden, but that it gave him and his viewers the opportunity to grow up and accomplish many things, like accumulating student loans as well as starting a family and careers.

“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,” he said to conclude his message.

You can check out Steve and Stephen’s hug along with Colbert’s Late Show segment leading up to it via the clip above.

Michael is a music and television junkie keen on most things that are not a complete and total bore. You can follow him on Twitter — @Tweetskoor

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