A Blessed Event on ‘Blue’s Clues’

“Is it a boy, a girl ... or a condiment?� When the parents-to-be are salt and pepper shakers, that’s a reasonable question.

Welcome to a prime-time airing of “Blue’s Clues,� Nickelodeon’s gem of a preschooler daytime series, where it’s delivery day for Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper. The two animated cutouts have been expecting their happy event since the five-part “Blue’s Big News� episodes began three episodes ago; tonight, in “The Baby’s Here� (8 p.m.; TV-Y), fans discover just who--and what--the new family member will be.

While the “Blue’s Clues� gang waits for the phone to ring with the news, the show follows its usual puzzle-solving format: soon-to-be big sister Paprika looks at baby books and tries to match human host Steve (terrific Steve Burns), puppy Blue, Tickety and Slippery Soap to his or her baby pictures; Blue provides paw-print clues to identify the perfect baby gift; and bundles of newborns in the hospital’s nursery prompt another matching game. (The kindly Baby Doctor is voiced by Lisa Kudrow.)

It’s all downright adorable. It’s also a chance for adults to take a look at a show that, with its quiet and gentle homage-to-Mr. Rogers spirit, embodies creativity and integrity in children’s TV.