Earlier this year, Nickelodeon announced that they were reviving their popular kids’ show, “Blue’s Clues.” The original series ran on the network from 1996 to 2006 and featured Blue the puppy as she guided kids to solve a daily puzzle based on her paw prints.
Her human companion helped out and encouraged viewers to play along. That character was named Steve, and was portrayed by Steve Burns. Later, Burns was replaced by Donovan Patton, who went by Joe. Now, Nickelodeon has announced that the host role will be played by Broadway actor Joshua Dela Cruz in the reboot.
“Well the dog’s outta the bag,” Dela Cruz wrote on Instagram.
Dela Cruz recently appeared in Disney’s “Aladdin” on Broadway as an understudy of the titular character and a member of the ensemble. His TV credits include appearances on “Bull” on CBS and “Time After Time” on ABC.
“The search for the new host of ‘Blue’s Clues & You’ was no small task, but we knew as soon as we met Josh that he was the perfect choice,” Shelly Sumpter Gillyard, executive vice President, Talent, Music and Events, Nickelodeon Group, said in a statement. “From his genuineness to his comedic timing and range, there was no doubt that he could carry the show on for the next generation of preschoolers.”
Burns assisted in the casting for the role, and says that Dela Cruz is a worthy successor.
“I had the great honor of being a part of the search for the new host, and I give Josh two thumbs up,” Burns said. “He can definitely fill my shoes, and the rugby shirt.”
Other recently-announced reboots of Nickelodeon classics include “Double Dare,” “Rugrats” and “Clarissa Explains It All.”
A 20-episode run of the new “Blue’s Clues” series has been ordered, and production is slated to begin in Toronto later this month.
Will your kids be watching “Blue’s Clues & You”?