25 years of Spongebob

 

  It has been already 25 years since a yellow sea sponge changed Nickelodeon forever. The creator, the late Stephen Hillenberg made a story about a simple sea sponge named SpongeBob and ever since then.... we can never forget the brilliance of one man who wanted to show and teach children of undersea life. Ok, he just wanted to create a cartoon for children using his drawings and teaching of undersea life. 

   Stephen Hillenburg was born on August 21st in 1961. He was considered a Marine Biology educator and would draw little images and cartoons thinking of an idea to teach children the importance of undersea life. He had many scratch drawings of his first SpongeBob images that are still at his old desk in Nickelodeon studios. 

 Around Mid-July in 1999, I was only 14 years old, and Nickelodeon was bringing in a new show. I've already was hooked when I saw that yellow sponge laughing his head off and saying the words 'I'm Ready' over and over again. HIs first episode is where he gets a job at the famous 'Krusty Krab.' However, he doesn't get it at first since he had to prove himself later.

  After the first episode, more characters started to appear. Patrick the dumbass starfish who can be brilliant on occasion. Sandy who is a squirrel who lives in a dome full of air. She is a scientist and was a good friend to SpongeBob. Sometimes, SpongeBob might have a little crush on her.

   Gary is SpongeBob's pet snail, Squidward is his neighbor who thinks SpongeBob is annoying, but will stick up for him sometimes.

   More characters started to come in and well... now some of the new episodes aren't as strong as the old ones. But then again, I'm almost 40 and I rarely watch SpongeBob anymore. Mr. Krabs was considered the protagonist/antagonist of the show. Sometimes he can be nice but mostly... he's a money hungry crab that charges a lot for a Krabby Patty. He doesn't even give SpongeBob much of a full pay.

    SpongeBob also had a 20th birthday bash in mid-July in 2019 and it was pretty good to watch. But there was something tragic that happened before that.

   

   SpongeBob SquarePants had a movie that came out around 2004-2005. It was supposed to be the series finale for SpongeBob SquarePants. However, Nickelodeon decided to keep the Sponge show going on a little longer. Stephen Hillenberg left the show and started to get sick.

   He had ALS or Lou Greigh's disease in 2017. He was confined to a wheelchair and lost the mobility of his arms and legs. Tragically, a year later...he died. Many fans, like me cried that night.

    In a later year, I forget when, but I think it was around 2019 or 2020, Nickelodeon wanted to honor the late Stephen Hillenburg during the Super Bowl half time show. Having an episode of 'Band Geeks' play before that. Only on Nickelodeon of course. During the half time show, the promise...was not kept. 

   Disappointing a lot of fans, and kids, Nickelodeon apologized and well...we eventually got what were promised, just not for a few years later.

    Sometime after Covid-19, our prayers were...somewhat answered. They gave a 3d image of Band Geeks ending where SpongeBob and a few under sea critters decided to help Squidward perform the best marching band they can be.

   It was really good. A few years too late, but at the end, there was a light show saying, "we miss you Stephen' I thought it was sweet. By the way, the episode Band Geeks is the best and number one episode of the series. And one of the only times Squidward got what he deserved.... happiness

    Who voices this yellow sponge for over 25 years? His name is Tom Kenny, and he is one hell of a voice actor. He voices many characters that isn't just SpongeBob on the show. His actual wife also voices a computer named Karen. She is the wife of another antagonist. His name is Plankton. A small little plankton with his one goal of stealing the Krabby Patty formula.

    He has succeeded before but failed at the end. If we knew, the who series of the show would be ruined. In my opinion, I think I already know what's in it. I think other crabs and plankton ground up.

  25 years of one Sponge and Nickelodeon making the right decision. Even though now, it's best to end it because there have been prequels, other spin off shows that well...are failing and aren't great. Even new episodes of SpongeBob aren't as great or laughable as the original.

   Stephen Hillenberg, God rest his soul, left Nickelodeon after the first movie and two other movies came after. I think they should have stopped after the second move, but then again knowing Nickelodeon, I feel SpongeBob and his friends are going to be with us for a long time.