Blippi Actor Stevin John Is Replaced in Latest YouTube Episode, Leaving Fans Puzzled
Blippi, the energetic character at the center of widely popular YouTube educational videos, has been portrayed by a new actor—and fans definitely noticed.
Actor Stevin John, real name Stephen J. Grossman, is credited with creating the character and has played the role in every episode since Blippi's online debut in February 2014.
In doing so, the show has clocked up more than 9.5 billion YouTube views, 12.4 million subscribers and is now dubbed in Spanish, Portuguese, German, and Arabic.
On Saturday, May 8, however, a new actor stepped into Blippi's signature blue and orange outfit.
Newsweek has contacted the show's producers to ask about the personnel switch, which some fans were quick to point out.
Account manager Laura Hardin wrote on Facebook: "So...we just tried the new "Blippi". My 21 month old wasn't really into it. Tried to get him engaged with it, got upset and chucked his excavator at his Dad. Needless to say, he does NOT like the change. Was perfectly fine when we put on old Blippi lol."
Web developer Bobby Dawson tweeted: "...did they not think my extremely observant 4 year old would notice a different dude playing #blippi?"
Another dad, Jason Jones, pondered: "Today, there was a new guy portraying Blippi, and I wondered if this is like Dr. Who, where every few years he or she regenerates."
While one mom wrote: "What the heck happened to #blippi? My kid noticed within 4 seconds that it was a different guy and she was ticked..."
Rachel Catherine, from Virginia, suggested: "I wish Blippi could just introduce us to his "friend" and maybe he could wear the same outfit just different colors."
Who is the new Blippi?
The change came after the show's producers teased the upcoming episode earlier that day on Instagram and Facebook.
"Due to popular demand we are bringing more Blippi from The Live Show to you all!" it read. "Don't miss the launch of 'Learn with Blippi' tomorrow on Blippi's YouTube channel. Who's ready!?"
The actor in the latest YouTube episode appears to be from the New York production of "Blippi The Musical," a live show which was postponed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The show is scheduled to return to theaters in July.
In October 2019, the makers of the "Blippi Live" show told BuzzFeed News that ticket holders would be reminded that John would not be appearing in the production and that a refund would be offered to those who thought otherwise.
