Although the titular character of SpongeBob was often painfully oblivious to his tormenting of those around him, he was naïve, childish and friendly at heart. All he wanted was to have fun and make others as happy as he was. The show revolved around his undersea adventures jellyfishing with his friend Patrick, doing Kay-Ra-Tay with his Texan friend Sandy, unknowingly frustrating his arrogant neighbor Squidward with his unrelenting optimism, and doing what he loves most, cooking Krabby Patties at the Krusty Krab.
The lessons SpongeBob learned in the series weren't executed in a cheesy way, and were often what led to classic musical numbers. Like when SpongeBob learns that he shouldn't try to get people to like him with cheap jokes (like ripping his pants). Or when SpongeBob spends time with the Krusty Krab's tiny jealous enemy Plankton and Plankton mangles the meaning of friendship. And when Squidward finally lets himself trust others when he wants to impress his high school rival Squilliam.
The show has a hilarious execution of karma, too. Because Squidward does occasionally show remorse and guilt, he's sympathetic. But that doesn't mean it isn't funny how he's often the punchline of the joke. For example, Spongebob may step outside and greet the flowers with a big smile. But when Squidward comes out and barely musters a grunt, the flowers scare him back into his house. Later in that same episode Squidward ignores Spongebob while riding his bike and tells himself 'remember your karma', but then immediately flies off the bike, falls off a cliff and explodes.
The humor isn't exactly like Looney Tunes because it's more reliant on dialogue, although the influence is clearly there, what with the emphasis on exaggerated expressions at key moments. Like SpongeBob's smug grin when he realizes Squidward likes Krabby Patties. There are also the clever little jokes. Like when there's supposedly a sad or touching moment going on between SpongeBob and Mr. Krabs and there's a close up of Squidward crying, but then it zooms out and there are hot onions next to him, and that isn't really the punchline because it's too obvious. There's also the episode with the talent show where Squidward is so egotistical that he doesn't have a clue how ridiculous his dancing is, which is clearly inspired by 'Showbiz Bugs'. It's easy to see their love for the classics, something that is rarely seen nowadays in American animation.
I have to admit I'm not a huge fan of Patrick, but I certainly wouldn't want him out of the show as he does provide some comic relief. For example, the episode with the clam at the zoo was one of the funniest episodes in my opinion, as well as I'm with Stupid. Mr. Krabs could have been just a one-note character, and in many ways he is, as he is practically defined by his greed, but he does show more than just that facet. In the episode where SpongeBob ropes Squidward into believing that Mr. Krabs is a robot, it's easy to feel bad for the guy getting all his things smashed. You even feel bad for Plankton when things don't go his way sometimes.
Sandy, to be honest, is not one of my favorite characters, although she had her funny moments like all the characters. She's usually the very strong character who does all she can to help the others when there's something wrong, and I think that's a bit boring. Her only interesting trait seems to be her competitiveness. Her episodes did often teach great lessons, though, like tolerance towards those who are different.
I loved the episodes that involved Spongebob, Patrick, and Squidward, because the message of them was that you never know you'll like something unless you try it. And no matter how many times Squidward learns that, he never seems to get it into his head, which of course makes for many fun episodes that put him through pain (though not to the point of cruelty). It's especially funny how he often gets himself into these situations because he's so insecure that he puts words into SpongeBob's mouth.
As for the post-movie episodes, the show became a cash cow for the desperate network. If nothing else, the new episodes have made me realize that letting something go on long after it was meant to die can lead to unspeakable horrors.
The 'new' SpongeBob is instantly recognized by the exaggeration of all the characters' traits for the benefit of the writers. The first episode that marked the decline was the first one after the movie, 'Fear of a Krabby Patty'. The art style is inconsistent and strange, the story feels very rushed and is generally uninteresting and unfunny; the fact that they started the season with a typical Plankton episode – Immediately after the movie-- isn't too promising anyway.
The later seasons involve a disturbingly bouncy SpongeBob harassing and stalking Squidward... even to the point of tearing his toenail off simply because he is just that stupid now. And why does Squidward suddenly have a toenail? I don't know. Ask the sadistic writers. It gets worse, though. An episode actually revolves around horrific facial expressions that probably kept many small children up at night. But worst of all, the very worst episode (though it's hard to pick one) has to be 'Are you Happy Now?" an episode that encourages suicide. Not because it shows Squidward sticking his head in an oven, or because he looks like hes about to hang himself, but because at the very end of the episode Squidward says "I don't want to be happy!" And he has a meltdown, while SpongeBob admires him and says 'he's so handsome!'. You can't tell me they aren't trolling.
I love the Spongebob that wasn't taken over by greedy, strange people. Now it's nothing but a hollow shell.
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