Squidward Tentacles, an octopus, and SpongeBob's ill-tempered, snobbish neighbor, works as the restaurant's cashier. His boss is Eugene Krabs, a greedy crab who nonetheless treats SpongeBob like a son. He works as a fry cook at a local fast food restaurant, the Krusty Krab, to which he is obsessively attached, showing devotion to it above other restaurants. He resides in the undersea city of Bikini Bottom with other anthropomorphic aquatic creatures. In The SpongeBob Musical, his exact species of animal is identified: Aplysina fistularis, a yellow tube sponge that is common in open waters.
SpongeBob is a good-natured, naive, and enthusiastic sea sponge.
He has, however, been involved in a controversy with some conservative social groups for allegedly promoting homosexuality, although Hillenburg has described the character as biologically asexual (as real-life sea sponges are). The character has garnered a positive response from media critics and is frequently named as one of the greatest cartoon characters of all time. SpongeBob SquarePants has become popular among children and adults. SpongeBob's first appearance was in the pilot, " Help Wanted", which premiered on May 1, 1999. Hillenburg began developing a show based on the premise shortly after the 1996 cancellation of Rocko's Modern Life, which Hillenburg directed. He drew the book while teaching marine biology to visitors of the Ocean Institute during the 1980s. The character's name is derived from "Bob the Sponge", the host of Hillenburg's unpublished educational book The Intertidal Zone. SpongeBob was created and designed by Stephen Hillenburg, an artist and marine science educator. He is voiced by actor and comedian Tom Kenny. He is characterized by his optimism and childlike attitude, and is influenced by other comedic characters, including Stan Laurel and Pee-wee Herman.
SpongeBob SquarePants is the title character and protagonist of the American animated television series of the same name.
Looking for more TV recommendations and discussion? Head over to our Facebook Group to see new picks every day, and chat with other readers about what they're watching right now. SpongeBob SquarePants airs on Nickelodeon, with some episodes also available on Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.ĭigital Spy now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox. SpongeBob Squarepants is many things to many people, and asexual is one of the most important of all. While it's not clear which specific form of queerness best describes SpongeBob, it's vital that the conversation surrounding him acknowledges his character's asexuality regardless. SpongeBob and Patrick aren't even from the same species, but that hasn't stopped them from holding hands, dressing up in drag together, and even raising a clam baby as their very own. Why Good Omens boss won't label characters as gayĪfter all, the queer gender politics of SpongeBob Squarepants are more complex than most, and that's thanks largely to how each character connects in fluid and often homoerotic ways.