Steve (with Blue) then . . .

Those young adults out there who loved the 1996 Nickelodeon hit TV program "Blues Clues" remember Steve with love and affection.

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Yes, Steve. That really cute and clueless host who had to rely on his dog, Blue, to solve problems and puzzles.

Steve Burns was the show's amiable host for seven years and starred in over 100 episodes of the award winning program.

Because of Steve, Blue's Clues became the highest-rated show for preschoolers on US commercial television for most of its 10-year run. Blue's Clues is now praised as one of the most successful, critically acclaimed and ground-breaking preschool TV programs of all time.

You'll also remember your surprise, dismay and even anger when Steve disappeared from the show to be replaced by his brother, Joe. Blue's Clues was never the same after that.

Why?

Steve's disappearance fueled its own conspiracy theories. One theory was that Steve quit to go to college. A more frightening theory had Steve dying of a drug overdose.

Steve himself seems to have put the controversy to rest when he said he left Blue's Clues for a number of reasons, one of which was to pursue a career in music. He also said he felt a lot of pressure as someone kids looked up to.

But this wasn't the whole truth and nothing but. Finally, 11 years after departing the show, Steve's revealed the real reason why.

"I knew I wasn't gonna be doing children's television all my life, mostly because I refused to lose my hair on a kid's TV show, and it was happenin'-fast," he said on Nickelodeon's special "Behind the Clues: 10 Years with Blue."

Yes, Steve was going bald when he decided to quit the show. He couldn't allow that to happen in front of all those adoring kids. And he apparently didn't want to fool his fans by donning a wig.

We still miss you, Steve.