Let’s talk about the phenomenon that is Spongebob Squarepants.
He’s everywhere. Everyone knows who he is.
He’s a cultural norm – you make a reference to anything Spongebob and 4 out of 5 people are going to get it instantly.
Spongebob is this generation’s Bugs Bunny.
And it’s just the story of a fry-cook sponge that lives under the sea in a pineapple. It’s probably one of the most ridiculous storylines ever encountered – and it’s epic.
The show started in 1999, beginning with Spongebob applying for the fry-cook position at the Krusty Krab and has reached a whole new level in 2009/2010 with Johnny Depp guest staring as a divinely awesome surfer fish and the organization of the Bad Guy Club for Villains (that an obscenely old superhero and Spongebob have to break up).
Over the years, the Spongebob writers have grown more confident and obscure.
Mr. Krabs isn’t just greedy – he’s passionately and unhealthily obsessed (in love even) with money. Squidward isn’t the grouchy cashier and neighbor with a “hidden” art talent – he’s a downright narcissistic lout who might genuinely care for Spongebob but wouldn’t admit so under torture. Patrick isn’t just the knucklehead best friend with no commonsense – he’s the idiotic genius who brings the hysteria (and hilarity) to any situation.
Takes you to FUN song on youtube.com
And Spongebob…well, it’s near impossible to describe him.
The thing is – Spongebob is 11-years-old. I’m a senior in college right now, and this show started when I was in 6th grade. I grew up with this show, and in a sense, so did most college students.
I bet you can ask any college student, and they can name off their favorite Spongebob moment, character, and episode. (You can ask any parent and most will admit this show amuses them and that so-and-so is their favorite character/episode.)
This isn’t Pete and Pete or Salute Your Shorts or Ah! Real Monsters. This show didn’t last one generation and then just disappear. It’s kept on churning and chugging out those ludicrous gag reels (like the ever classic Krabby Patty secret formula and it’s training video) for one generation to the next.
And it will probably continue to do so. There’s something special about Spongebob. How it’s made for children and adults (though sometimes you question which one it’s really more geared toward). How those asinine one-liners always make you laugh. How, when you’re channel surfing and you see that yellow sponge you automatically stop.
Spongebob has invaded society as a cultural phenomenon. He won’t disappear easily and he won’t be forgotten easily.
Spongebob is and will forever remain so (in that classic line of his) “I’m ready!”
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