Steve Returns To The 'Thinking Chair' 21 Years After Exiting 'Blue's Clues'

Attention, kids of the 90s! This is not a drill!

Steve is returning to the Thinking Chair for an episode of "Blue's Clues." (First, he has to help find the missing chair.)

Steve Burns, the host of the popular Nickelodeon show from its inception in 1996 through 2002, is returning after 21 years for an episode alongside current series star Joshua Dela Cruz, who plays Josh, and Donovan Patton, who plays the role of Joe, Steve's brother, who replaced Burns on the show when he departed.

"The Case of the Missing Thinking Chair" reunites all three series stars for an exciting quest to solve a mystery when the iconic red chair goes missing. Burns doesn't only star in the episode but is also the writer and director.

In his highly anticipated return, Blue and Josh "skidoo" their way into Steve's Blueprints Detective Agency, seeking Steve's help finding their beloved chair.

This isn't the first time the three show hosts have joined forces on screen. Burns and Patton reunited and joined Dela Cruz in the franchise's feature-length film, "Blue's Big City Adventure," whicwas released exclusively on Paramount+ in November. The film will debut on Nickelodeon on Monday, May 29, at 7 p.m. ET.

"Blue's Big City Adventure" follows Josh to New York City so he can audition for Rainbow Puppy's Broadway musical. Many of the series' beloved characters were present in this movie, including Mr. Salt, Mailbox, Slippery Soap, Tickety Tock, and Rainbow Puppy.

During an interview with Variety in 2022, Burns revealed he struggled with severe depression when he left the show in 2002.

"I didn't know it yet, but I was the happiest depressed person in North America. I was struggling with severe clinical depression the whole time I was on that show," he told Variety.

"It was my job to be utterly full of joy and wonder at all times, and that became impossible. I could always dig and find something that felt authentic to me that was good enough to be on the show, but after years and years of going to the well without replenishing it, there was a cost."

After leaving the show, Burns had a long healing and recovery period. And while he said he wishes he had gotten the help he needed while still starring on the show, he doesn't think it would have stopped his exit.

"But I would have been able to throw my arms around the role and relax into it a little more," he said. "Because now, when I look back, all I see is what an impossible gift that was."

In September 2021, Burns filmed a video sharing some information about why he abruptly left the show. He directly spoke to the kids, who are now adults, that watched and loved the show in the viral video that Nick Jr. shared on social media.

"You remember how when we were younger, we used to run around and hang out with Blue, find clues, talk to Mr. Salt, freak out about the mail, and do all the fun stuff?" Burns said.

"Then one day, I was like, 'Oh hey, guess what? Big news, I'm leaving. Here's my brother Joe, your new best friend,' and then I got on a bus, and I left, and we didn't see each other for a long time. Can we talk about that? Because I realize that was abrupt."

Wearing the same iconic shirt he wore on the show for many years, Burns explained why his character left the show to attend college.

"I just kinda got up and went to college. And that was challenging, but great because I got to use my mind and take a step at a time, and now I am doing many of the things I wanted to do," he said.

"And then look at you, and look at all you have done and accomplished in all that time. And it's just so amazing, right? We started with clues, and now, it's what? Student loans, and jobs and families? And some of it has been hard, you know. I know, you know."

His video said he couldn't have done everything without everyone's help.

"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.

And just like that, 90s kids and parents, all shed tears collectively. (We're not sobbing, you are.)

"The Case of the Missing Thinking Chair" premiers Friday, May 26 at 11:30 a.m. ET on Nickelodeon. "Blue's Big City Adventure" debuts on Monday, May 29 at 7 p.m. ET on Nickelodeon.