When Steve Burns hosted “Blue’s Clues,” where he solved household mysteries with an animated puppy on Nick Jr. from 1996 to 2002, he was one of the world’s most recognizable faces on children’s TV. That level of notoriety comes with some perks and in 2000, a Playboy model sent him a glossy photo with a note asking him to invite her to dinner.
After some prodding from the animation staff, Burns took the model up on the offer. The date would become an experience he would never forget. It was filled with an incredible amount of awkwardness, crazy twists and balloon animals.
Burns shared the story in September 2010 at New York’s Players Club as part of a monologue titled “Fameishness” as part of “The Moth” storytelling forum.
The date started on the wrong foot when the model demanded to be picked up by a limo and Burns said he’d stop by her house in his Volkswagon. Things went downhill from there. Her first words to Burms were: “I thought you’d be taller.”
Then, Burns saw a kid’s “Blues Clues” themed birthday party on their way to dinner and things really took a twist.
The Moth Presents Steve Burns: Fameishness
Since leaving “Blue’s Clues” in 2002, Burns has worked as a musician, writing and performing the theme song for “Young Sheldon.” He has also done extensive voice work for big brands, including Snickers, Snapple, Lowes and McDonald’s. Recently, he returned to the Blue’s Clues team, directing several episodes of “Blue’s Clues & You!” and starring in the film “Blue’s Big City Adventure.”