SpongeBob SquarePants succeeds where The Simpsons failed

As someone who grew up with SpongeBob SquarePants as a staple of my childhood television diet, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia and admiration for this iconic cartoon series. The way it has evolved over the years, while staying true to its quirky, surreal roots, is truly remarkable.

In the first episode of season 13 of SpongeBob SquarePants, aired last November, Mr. Krabs encounters a common predicament. The Krusty Krab is swarmed with patrons bringing their pets to eat there, breaking health codes. Should he turn these customers away and forfeit their business? Or does he transform the Krusty Krab into a pet-friendly establishment, forcing other marine life to disguise themselves as slugs and earthworms to dine on Krabby Patties? It’s not hard to guess which option Mr. Krabs, who is always eager to make money, chooses.

As a millennial SpongeBob fan who grew up with the show during its early years, I might say: “Growing up with SpongeBob in the late 90s and early 2000s, I was used to seeing familiar faces like Squidward and Plankton in Mr. Krabs’ money-making schemes. But this episode took it to a whole new level. Even lesser-known characters made an appearance: Bubble Bass, the pickle-bulling antagonist from season 1; the Alaskan Bull Worm that caused chaos in Bikini Bottom for a brief moment; the “My leg!” guy with a speaking role; Mystery the Seahorse, SpongeBob’s former pet; Nosferatu from that random and hilarious episode; and even the health inspector we once thought we had killed and tried to bury alive. It was a delightful surprise seeing these characters again!”

In this rephrased version, the original text is maintained but with a more conversational tone: The Bikini Bottom cast list is quite eclectic, spanning from brief appearances to major roles – a usual strategy for long-lasting shows, which can sometimes elicit sighs from viewers. Yet, in this case, it’s a pleasant surprise. For years, we knew Bikini Bottom was home to an array of quirky characters, but now the city feels more akin to Springfield in its expansive cast. (Both Springfield and Bikini Bottom are fictional towns from popular long-running animated shows.)

For some devoted fans of “The Simpsons,” the show’s longevity may raise concerns about its seemingly endless expansion and repetition. In contrast, after a quarter-century, “SpongeBob SquarePants” has effectively utilized its vast cast of eccentric characters to fuel its continued success. Instead of merely struggling to stay relevant, the series is now exploring new, bizarre territories with its established characters, resulting in an even more absurd and entertaining experience.

Starting from its debut on July 17, 1999, after a sneak peek at Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Awards that spring, SpongeBob SquarePants has become renowned for its distinctly funny and absurd humor. The show’s success can be attributed to its clever writing and captivating animation. In contrast to most productions that use written scripts, the creative team behind SpongeBob heavily relied on storyboards, enabling a seamless blend of visuals and dialogue from the outset. As early as its initial episode, the series delivered memorable one-liners and catchphrases, primarily due to Tom Kenny’s versatile voice acting as SpongeBob. Moreover, the animation played an integral role in enhancing the humor through facial expressions or visual gags. To further emphasize the significance of the show’s appearance to its comedy, countless memes continuously circulate online, highlighting just how amusing SpongeBob remains, regardless of context.

During the “golden era” of the show, which spanned five years from its debut to the 2004 release of “The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie,” the popularity of “SpongeBob” can be attributed to three key factors as I noted around its 20th anniversary in 2019. First, the show introduced children to surrealism through a kid-friendly approach. Second, its distinct and vibrant visual style stood out. Lastly, the characters remained relatable despite their unusual circumstances. “SpongeBob” excelled at taking ordinary situations and adding surprising twists that were both intelligent and endearing. For instance, when SpongeBob and Patrick discovered curse words, they felt guilty and reported themselves to Mr. Krabs who had warned them against using such language. However, even Mr. Krabs couldn’t resist using the forbidden words. The scene, though humorous, showcased the human element of the characters and their parents’ imperfections. Additionally, there were moments of classic “SpongeBob” weirdness like the cutaway to SpongeBob with 13 fingers as he counted each curse word Mr. Krabs shouted in anger.

After the movie’s premiere, there was a significant drop in the show’s quality that has negatively impacted it since then. One primary cause of this decline was the abandonment of the third essential element: the emotional core of the show amidst the absurdity. The visuals became disturbing, the characters grew more spiteful, and the storylines were either sluggish or relied solely on their bizarre shock value. Notably, the show’s creator, Stephen Hillenburg (who passed away in 2018), had originally intended for the show to conclude after the movie; this intent was reflected in the lackluster post-movie episodes.

In the past ten years, the program discovered a more engaging and amusing path. This might be attributed to the personnel changes: For the first time, new showrunners joined in season 10 (started in 2016), leading to one writer per episode and fewer overall staff writers. Consequently, a consistent tone was established. Additionally, newer, younger artists have been added to the team, contributing to character designs, backgrounds, and more. Collectively, they’ve breathed new life into the show by drawing inspiration from its past and creating fresh stories without feeling monotonous or outdated.

In more casual language,

After 300 episodes, it’s understandable that SpongeBob becomes self-referential with its stories. Not all of them hit the mark, which is a result of trying out various ideas to see what resonates with audiences (a “try everything and see what sticks” approach). However, when successful, these episodes are remarkably surreal, expressive, and visually daring, reminiscent of the show’s initial success. The animation plays a significant role in enhancing the humor, as individual frames can elicit some of the biggest laughs. For instance, in “The Hankering” from season 12, there’s a delightful moment when Mr. Krabs suddenly throws his head out of a trash can, revealing an exaggerated expression with a boot hanging in front of his mouth. Though this scene lasts only for a few seconds before he returns to normal, it is a clever visual gag born from meticulous editing and imaginative storyboarding.

The essence of “Playfulness” is reflected not only in the current version of the show, but also throughout the entire SpongeBob franchise. Two spin-offs, “Kamp Koral” and “The Patrick Star Show,” exist separately from the main storyline. In “Kamp Koral,” the origins of each character are revised, as explicitly stated in the series itself. This means that SpongeBob now exists in three distinct timelines (as I’m not joking about). While “Kamp Koral” offers a strange alternate reality, its quality is debatable beyond that. Paramount Plus produced this show to strengthen its exclusive children’s content, which may explain the lackluster promotion – they even released the second and final season in one go earlier this July without much fanfare.

In simpler terms, the new show, “The Patrick Star Show,” offers a fresh and intriguing take on the original “SpongeBob SquarePants.” Since its debut in 2020, it has presented two uniquely surreal seasons. Unlike the earlier series, this spin-off follows Patrick’s family, which includes new characters, while SpongeBob is no longer a fry cook and Squidward takes on a different role. In “The Patrick Star Show,” Patrick explores various dimensions using diverse animation styles and even live-action footage for his bizarre TV program within the program.

The excitement lies not only in the animated series itself, but also in the passionate team behind it. Younger artists, inspired by shows like SpongeBob SquarePants, contribute fresh ideas and enthusiastically share their creations on social media. Veteran animators such as Bob Camp, director of Ren and Stimpy, add a manic, humorous energy with their distinctive animation styles. Maxwell Atoms, creator of The Adventures of Billy and Mandy, brings a similar brand of physical comedy to the table. Together, they create an atmosphere akin to classic cartoons like Looney Tunes, but with an increased element of randomness.

In simpler terms, an iconic scene from “The Patrick Star Show” features Bubble Bass acting like a Nostalgia Critic-type content creator in his mom’s basement. Patrick and his sister Squidina drop by and disrupt his show, putting off his small viewership. This episode is incredibly relatable to the online world, which makes sense since “SpongeBob” has a significant presence there due to Gen Z’s attachment to the show. Memes, social media references, reaction gifs, and clips are common, and SpongeBob himself has become an AI pop star. The future looks bright for the franchise with many young adults working on it, including “The Patrick Star Show.”

After 25 years on air, SpongeBob SquarePants may not be able to reach the peak of its earlier successes. It’s natural for this to happen, and it’s unfair to demand such consistency. However, instead of trying to recapture past glory, the show focuses on amplifying its quirky absurdity and infectious joy. From minor character expressions to intricate plotlines, SpongeBob continues to deliver an enjoyable experience in Bikini Bottom.

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2024-07-17 19:19