Steve Burns, the original host of the Nickelodeon children’s series “Blue’s Clues,” is set to give this year’s Poitras-Gleim lecture on Nov. 6.
Burns, who went by his first name “Steve” on the show, hosted “Blue’s Clues” from 1996 to 2002, where Steve’s puppy, Blue, would leave pawprints around to help him figure out what she wanted to do that day. After Burns’ departure, the show ran until 2006, and a revival series, “Blue’s Clues & You!” has been on air since 2019.
Burns’ lecture will revolve around mental health and burnout, which he has opened up about his own struggles with in recent years. He has said that he was struggling with severe depression while making “Blue’s Clues,” despite his on-screen character’s joy and positivity.
After his first post on TikTok in November 2021, Burns has used his account to check in and ask viewers how they are. His latest video in this format, posted in September, has over 36 million views and 218,000 comments, with people responding about struggles in their life or positive changes that have happened.
The Poitras-Gleim lecture, which is organized by Student Senate, brings in a notable speaker to “explore and promote cross-disciplinary thought,” often by having them discuss something outside of their publicly known expertise. Tickets to attend will be free, and will be available on dickinson.universitytickets.com.
