Blue's Clues  is about a small dog named Blue that is animated with two-dimensional cutouts and first appeared on Nickelodeon in 1996 with her owner, Steve.  In 2002, Steve was replaced with Joe after Steve went away to college.  Blue's home is filled with talking objects, from Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper, Mailbox, Paprika and Cinnamon, Periwinkle, and Slippery.  The show focuses on helping children put together the three clues of the day that Blue has left for her owner so they can discover what she is trying to tell them.  These three clues combine to tell her owner what activity she wants to do for the day. 

The host, either Steve or Joe, asks the audience questions, often having them try to think of possible solutions for the riddle of the day, or singing silly songs.