The Legacy of Spongebob Squarepants ... And How Nickelodeon Is Squeezing It Dry | blameitonjorge

Summary

The video script delves into the enduring legacy of 'SpongeBob SquarePants,' a beloved animated series created by Stephen Hillenburg, a former marine biologist. It discusses the show's cultural impact, its transformation over the years, and the creator's original intentions for the series. The script also touches on Nickelodeon's over-reliance on the SpongeBob brand and the controversy surrounding new spin-offs, especially in light of Hillenburg's passing. The narrative highlights the show's evolution, the challenges it faced, and the complex dynamics between creative vision and commercial interests.

Takeaways

• 📺 The script discusses the cultural impact of the animated series 'SpongeBob SquarePants' and its creator, Stephen Hillenburg.
• 🎨 Stephen Hillenburg, a former marine biologist, combined his love for marine life and comics to create the concept of 'SpongeBob SquarePants'.
• 🌐 The show became a flagship series for Nickelodeon and one of the most well-known characters globally, on par with iconic characters like Mickey Mouse.
• 🏆 'SpongeBob SquarePants' has become the fifth longest-running American animated series and the most distributed Viacom property.
• 🎬 The series spawned a movie, comics, video games, theme park rides, and more, leaving a significant impact on popular culture.
• 🔄 Despite its success, there is a debate over whether Nickelodeon is over-reliant on the 'SpongeBob' brand, potentially diluting its legacy.
• 🎉 The script mentions the 20th anniversary of 'SpongeBob SquarePants' and Nickelodeon's plans for celebrations and new content.
• 📉 There is criticism that the quality of the series declined after Stephen Hillenburg stepped down as showrunner, with changes in humor and character dynamics.
• 🤔 The script raises the question of whether the continued expansion of the 'SpongeBob' franchise respects the original vision of its creator.
• 🚫 Stephen Hillenburg was against the idea of spin-offs for the series, as noted in a 2009 interview, which contrasts with Nickelodeon's recent announcements.
• 💔 The passing of Stephen Hillenburg in 2018 is a significant loss to the animation industry, and his influence on the series is irreplaceable.

Q & A

What was the significance of May 1st, 1999 for Nickelodeon?

On May 1st, 1999, Nickelodeon introduced 'SpongeBob SquarePants' to the world, a character that would become one of the most well-known in the world and a flagship series for the network.

Who created SpongeBob SquarePants?

SpongeBob SquarePants was created by Stephen Hillenburg, a former marine biologist.

What was the original profession of Stephen Hillenburg before creating SpongeBob SquarePants?

Stephen Hillenburg was a marine biologist before he became a creator of 'SpongeBob SquarePants'.

How did SpongeBob SquarePants become the flagship series for Nickelodeon?

The show became an absolute success with fans from all around the world, quickly becoming the flagship series for Nickelodeon due to its popularity and almost overnight success.

What was the original name of SpongeBob before it was changed to SpongeBob SquarePants?

SpongeBob was initially known as 'Sponge Boy', but the name was changed because it was already taken and copyrighted by a mop.

Why did Stephen Hillenburg decide to end the series after three seasons?

Stephen Hillenburg decided to end the series to avoid it 'jumping the shark' or declining in quality, but Nickelodeon ordered more episodes due to high ratings.

What was the impact of Stephen Hillenburg's departure on the series?

After Stephen Hillenburg's departure, the series underwent a change in direction and quality, moving away from clever humor to more physical and gross-out jokes, which alienated some of the older fans.

What is the term used to describe Nickelodeon's over-reliance on SpongeBob SquarePants?

The term used to describe Nickelodeon's over-reliance on SpongeBob SquarePants is 'Hey SpongeBob Syndrome'.

How did the character developments in the series change after Stephen Hillenburg's departure?

After Stephen Hillenburg's departure, characters like SpongeBob became more annoying and idiotic, Sandy became more of a stereotypical super genius, and Patrick turned into a complete antagonist, which upset many fans.

What was the controversy surrounding the announcement of the spin-off 'Camp Coral'?

The controversy surrounding 'Camp Coral' was its announcement came only three months after Stephen Hillenburg's death, which many saw as in poor taste, and it went against his known wishes against spin-offs.

What was Stephen Hillenburg's stance on spin-offs for the SpongeBob SquarePants series?

Stephen Hillenburg was against the idea of spin-offs for the series, believing that the show was about SpongeBob and that focusing on other characters might not work well.

Outlines

00:00

🎉 The Rise of SpongeBob SquarePants

The first paragraph introduces the enduring success of 'SpongeBob SquarePants,' a show created by marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg that premiered on Nickelodeon on May 1st, 1999. It details the show's immediate popularity, becoming the network's flagship series and achieving a cultural impact comparable to iconic characters like Mickey Mouse. The paragraph also discusses the show's expansion into various media, including comics, films, video games, and theme parks, and raises the question of whether Nickelodeon is over-relying on the SpongeBob brand.

05:01

🔧 Changes and Challenges in the Post-Hillenburg Era

The second paragraph delves into the evolution of 'SpongeBob SquarePants' after the departure of its creator, Stephen Hillenburg, following the release of the first SpongeBob movie. It highlights the shift in the show's humor from clever and witty to more physical and gross-out jokes, which alienated older fans while still appealing to children. The paragraph also addresses Nickelodeon's over-reliance on SpongeBob, leading to the premature cancellation of other shows that did not immediately match its success. Furthermore, it discusses the announcement of a second SpongeBob movie and Hillenburg's return as an executive producer, culminating in his tragic battle with ALS and eventual passing in November 2018.

10:03

🌐 The Future of the SpongeBob Franchise

The third paragraph examines the future of the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise following Stephen Hillenburg's death, with Nickelodeon announcing multiple spin-offs and films. It describes the upcoming prequel film 'It's a Wonderful Sponge' and the spin-off series 'Camp Coral,' which has sparked controversy due to its announcement timing and content. The paragraph also reflects on Hillenburg's past statements against spin-offs and the potential impact on the franchise's legacy, emphasizing the importance of remembering the original spirit and appeal of the series that Hillenburg created.

Keywords

💡SpongeBob SquarePants

SpongeBob SquarePants is the titular character and central figure of the animated television series created by Stephen Hillenburg. The show revolves around his life and adventures in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. It has become a cultural phenomenon and is a key concept in the video, illustrating the show's impact on popular culture and its evolution over time.

💡Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon is the television network that introduced SpongeBob SquarePants to the world. It is significant in the video as it discusses the network's role in the show's success, its reliance on the SpongeBob brand, and the business decisions that have shaped the franchise's direction.

💡Stephen Hillenburg

Stephen Hillenburg was the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants and a former marine biologist. His vision and passion for marine life and storytelling are central to the video's narrative, highlighting his influence on the show's initial success and his eventual departure from the series.

💡Cultural Impact

The term 'cultural impact' refers to the influence that SpongeBob SquarePants has had on society, including its integration into jokes, memes, and pop culture references. The video discusses how the show has become ingrained in culture, exemplified by its mention in high-profile events like the Superbowl halftime show.

💡Animation Schedule

The animation schedule is mentioned in the context of Nickelodeon's decision to fill a gap in their programming with SpongeBob SquarePants. This decision led to the show's production and eventual rise to prominence, illustrating the importance of timing and opportunity in the show's success.

💡Jump the Shark

The phrase 'jump the shark' is used to describe the point in a show's history when its quality declines significantly. Stephen Hillenburg wanted to end the series before it reached this point, but high ratings led to its continuation, which is a central theme in the video discussing the show's longevity and changing quality.

💡Spin-offs

Spin-offs refer to new shows or projects derived from the original SpongeBob SquarePants series. The video discusses Nickelodeon's announcement of multiple spin-offs, which has been met with mixed reactions, especially considering Stephen Hillenburg's past stance on the idea.

💡Camp Coral

Camp Coral is a specific spin-off from the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise that focuses on a younger SpongeBob at a summer camp. The video mentions it as an example of Nickelodeon's continued exploitation of the SpongeBob brand, despite potential concerns about diluting the original series' legacy.

💡ALS

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a terminal illness that Stephen Hillenburg was diagnosed with during the production of season 10. The video highlights his dedication to the show, stating that he intended to work on it 'as long as he is able,' which underscores the personal connection and passion he had for his creation.

💡Prequel

A prequel is a narrative that precedes the events of an original work. The video discusses an upcoming SpongeBob movie that will serve as a prequel, exploring SpongeBob's life as a child at Camp Coral, which is a significant departure from the original series' timeline.

💡Polarizing Views

Polarizing views refer to the mixed reactions and opinions regarding the direction of the SpongeBob SquarePants franchise, particularly the spin-offs and changes in the show's tone and humor. The video uses this term to describe the controversy surrounding the franchise's evolution and the network's decisions.

Highlights

SpongeBob SquarePants was created by former marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg and became a flagship series for Nickelodeon.

The show's success made SpongeBob one of the most well-known characters in the world, comparable to Mickey Mouse.

SpongeBob SquarePants became the fifth longest-running American animated series and the most distributed Viacom property.

The show has had a significant cultural impact, with memes and references ingrained into popular culture.

Stephen Hillenburg initially wanted to end the series to avoid 'jumping the shark,' but high ratings led to its continuation.

After Hillenburg's departure, the show's quality declined according to various publications, moving away from clever humor.

Characters like SpongeBob and Patrick underwent significant changes that alienated older fans.

Nickelodeon became over reliant on SpongeBob, leading to the cancellation of other less successful shows.

Stephen Hillenburg returned as an executive producer for the second SpongeBob movie and later the series' tenth season.

Hillenburg was diagnosed with ALS during the production of season 10 and passed away in 2018.

Following Hillenburg's death, Nickelodeon announced multiple spin-offs and a third SpongeBob movie.

The spin-off 'Camp Coral' was criticized for being announced shortly after Hillenburg's death and for its concept.

Paul Tibbets, a close colleague of Hillenburg, expressed his disapproval of 'Camp Coral' on social media.

The entertainment business has strayed far from the original purpose of SpongeBob, raising concerns about the future of the franchise.

Despite changes and controversies, the legacy of Stephen Hillenburg and the original SpongeBob series is remembered fondly.

Transcripts

[Music]

don't miss Nick's newest victim

it's a never-before-seen sneak-peek a

spongebob squarepants right after the

Kids Choice Awards tonight on the best

place to turn for new tours Nickelodeon

prepare to be vanquished

on May 1st 1999 Nickelodeon introduced

the world to a square yellow sponge who

lived in a pineapple under the sea named

SpongeBob SquarePants created by former

marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg the

show followed the titular sponge and his

friends and the undersea city of Bikini

Bottom going about their lives and

getting into crazy deep-sea adventures

the show became an absolute success with

fans from all around the world falling

in love with the yellow guy the series

quickly became the flagship series for

Nickelodeon almost overnight and

spongebob became one of the most well

known characters in the world on the

same level as Mickey Mouse for Mario it

has since become the fifth longest

running American animated series and the

most distributed Viacom property of all

time the series has spanned comics film

video games theme park rides

hotels resorts parades you name it

spongebob was left an impact in the

world and continues to do so but after

all these years you have to wonder is

Nickelodeon squeezing him a bit too dry

so today we're going to be taking a look

at the legacy of spongebob his creator

Stephen Hillenburg

and how Nickelodeon became over reliance

on the property

[Music]

go anywhere on the internet and you'll

hear a spongebob meme or reference the

Superbowl halftime show of 2019 with a

spongebob reference sort of spongebob

has been ingrained into our very culture

and references to the show are now as

natural as any other joke so what

exactly is it about this show that

caused such a cultural impact let's

start at the beginning while teaching

marine biology at the Ocean Institute of

California in the 1980s Stephen

Hillenburg got the idea to combine two

of his passions comics and marine life

many of the ideas that would become the

basis for SpongeBob started in his comic

the intertidal zone Hillenburg would

later go on to work on Rocko's Modern

Life where he met Tom Kenny the voice of

ever one of the writers for Rocko Mara

and Olsen read through the intertidal

zone and encouraged schellenberg to

pitch his own series at this point he

began to look closer at his old comic

and expand on the characters namely the

announcer of the sponge who would of

course have all been spongebob spongebob

was initially known as sponge boy and

wore a green hats

unfortunately that name was already

taken and copyrighted by a mop so they

switched the name around to SpongeBob

Nickelodeon had an open slaw in their

animation schedule that year as the

original show that what I filled it's

news and fondue was cancelled due to its

creator leaving the studio this flaw was

given to Helen Berg and production on

the soon-to-be legendary series began

[Music]

would you believe they only had one in

stock

[Music]

[Applause]

within the first month of its airing

spongebob overtook Pokemon as the

highest-rated children's show on

television it wasn't a media hits

topping the charts and winning awards

left and rights for the next three

seasons the series would come out

classic after classic such as Pizza

Delivery Bank extractor wood nuts almost

every episode was quotable with three

immensely successful seasons under its

belts Hillenburg decided to end the

series in a grand way a spongebob

squarepants movie paramount had offered

numerous film deals to Helen Berg but he

always turned them down

however with his vision of a series

finale in mind he finally accepted one

in 2002 and began developing the film

with a boost in animation quality a

hilarious and heartwarming story along

with many quotable moments the spongebob

squarepants movie was an undeniable hits

wit spongebob finally becoming manager

of the Krusty Krab - the series had

found a perfect place to end except

Nickelodeon had other plans

Hillenburg wanted to end the series so

that it wouldn't have to jump the shark

but the ratings were just too high for

Nickelodeon to let the show go

so more episodes were ordered and

Hillenburg departed from his own series

leaving Paul tibbitt in charge as

showrunner one of his favorite most

trusted crew members from the first

three seasons

despite his trust in Tibet fancied this

moment as a turning point the series the

point where it would change forever and

not for the best

while the movie came out in 2004 the

series itself underwent production

hiatus in 2002 while the film was being

made after I had released and all of

season 3 at broadcasted Hillenburg

departed from his own show

after Nickelodeon made the choice to

continue the series into a season 4

airing in 2005 the episodes fear of a

krabby patty and shell of a man aired

beginning the post Hillenburg arrow

spongebob

despite his stepping down a showrunner

Hillenburg remain with the series in a

much smaller role where he offered his

advice and suggestions to the crew

despite their best efforts the audience

began to notice that the series had

changed in a way they couldn't quite put

their finger on various publications

such as MSN The AV Club and vulture

reported on the declining quality of the

series for seasons 4 through 8 the show

seemed to be running on autopilot

moving away from clever humor to more

gross out jokes and random physical

humor while the intended audience

children still regularly tuned in teens

and older fans found the new direction

of the series off-putting compared to

the previous seasons where it appealed

to all ages with this new direction the

series was heading in the characters

changed to fit it's spongebob himself

went from being a whimsical naive sponge

to an annoying and idiotic manchild his

obsession with spit word was also

amplified leading it to feel like basic

stalking sandy became more associated

with science and became more of a

stereotypical super genius patrick

however was the most notorious example

who went from being SpongeBob's

well-meaning low IQ best friend

to a complete dick many fans were

unhappy with these changes made to the

main characters as they felt as though

they were completely different people

now despite the negative reactions from

fans ratings and merchandise sales

continue to skyrocket as spongebob had

become a global brand at that point

around 2005 when season four began

airing Nickelodeon became over reliant

on SpongeBob hey spongebob syndrome as

Robo taxi calls it began to take hold in

network where any series that premiered

that wasn't immediately as successful as

spongebob was ultimately kicked to the

curb and canceled notable examples of

this are Harvey beaks robot monster

welcome to the Wayne and El Tigre

it's a ridiculously unfair standard to

hold a new series too as rarely do they

find their footing and success in their

first season like spongebob did

unfortunately many shows just aren't

giving that chance on Nickelodeon

whenever their ratings come in

Nickelodeon usually quietly pushes the

series to their sister channel Nicktoons

Network where are the remaining episodes

air and the show ends to no fanfare

recently the loud house is the only

Nicktoons to be given a fair chance now

entering its fourth year on the air

alongside loud houses spongebob rise of

the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are the

only currently airing new tunes on the

network at the time of writing this

video On June 10th 2014 it was announced

that production had begun on a sequel to

the SpongeBob SquarePants Movie it was

also announced that Stephen Hillenburg

would be acting as the executive

producer of the film it was reported in

2002 that he helped with writing the

script but nobody expected him to return

to the series after he had been away for

so long

the sequel titled the Spongebob movie

sponge out of water would released a

critical acclaim with much of its

success attributed to the return of

Cullen Berg following the second film

Hillenburg returned to the series as a

full-time executive producer rather than

the small advisor role he took on after

the release of the first movie season 10

was a season full of mix ups for the

series not only was Hillenburg back

after being gone for so long but this

was the first season to not involve

longtime crew member and showrunner Paul

Tibbets whom had left the series to

focus on developing the third sponge off

film which we'll go over later sadly

during the production of this season

Stephen Hillenburg was diagnosed with

ALS a terminal illness that caused the

death of neurons that control the brain

and spinal cord in a statement he

released the public he stated that he

would continue to work on spongebob for

quote-unquote as long as he is able he

added quote my family is grateful for

the outpouring of love and support we

ask that our sincere request for privacy

be honored during this time unquote

Stephen Hillenburg passed away on

November 26th 2018

at his home in Southern California he

was 57 the following day he was cremated

and his ashes were scattered in the

Pacific Ocean 500 yards off the coast of

California his contributions to the

animation industry and children's media

will forever be remembered and his

legacy continues to this day

On February 14th 2019 it was announced

that Nickelodeon would be celebrating

the 20th anniversary of sponge off

SquarePants with the best year ever as

he call it around the same time

Nickelodeon announced their upcoming

slate for their 2019 2020 schedule the

majority of the shows featured were

revivals and spin-offs with barely any

original content however the main

headliner was a familiar yellow sponge

not only with SpongeBob SquarePants

continuing into the year but Nickelodeon

announced a host of spin-offs which CVR

calm described as quote including new

show specials and films based around

other characters in the franchise

unquote the amount of spin-offs and

films are undetermined but the fact that

it's plural indicates that Nickelodeon

plans on keeping this boat of a

franchise chugging along the first

installment of this new direction was

announced to be the third theatrical

film that Paul tibbitt had been working

on 2020s the Spongebob movie it's a

wonderful sponge unlike the previous two

films though this is planned to be a

prequel film following a ten-year-old

spongebob during a summer at Camp Coral

during this time there his pet snail

Gary its kidnapped by Poseidon and taken

to the lost city of Atlantis City so he

and his new best friend Patrick must go

out and rescue him

however this film won't be the end of

SpongeBob's adventures that can't Coral

as the film is acting as a tie-in to

launch the first spin-off of the

spongebob series simply titled camp

coral oddly enough it's a spin-off with

the entire same main cast as the

original series which is weird

considering that mr. Karp's sandy and

mrs. puff will be there whom we've all

seen meets lunch off for the first time

in the original series

the spin-off has been met with some

polarizing views regarding the timing of

its announcements and its contents the

announcement came only three months

following the death of Stephen

Hillenburg which many of you to be in

poor taste

additionally Stephen Hillenburg has gone

on record stating that he was against

the ideas of spin-offs for the series in

a 2009 interview with TBI vision a

question about the possibility of

spin-offs came up to which he replied

quote the show is about SpongeBob

he's the core elements and sabahi

relates to the other characters

Patrick by himself might be a bit too

much so I don't see any spin-offs granny

cam coral is still focused on spongebob

as a main character but the fact that

it's a spinoff still stands in the same

interview he states that he had to fight

against Nickelodeon at the very start of

the series to keep spongebob as a young

adults instead of a child which is what

Nickelodeon wanted originally

compromises were made such as

SpongeBob's parents showing up every now

and then as well as him going to boating

school it's difficult to know exactly

what Hillenburg full views on spin-offs

and younger versions of his characters

were without putting words in his mouth

but upon the announcement of camp coral

someone very close to him who would know

his views spoke outs Paul Tibbets on the

day of the announcement Paul tweeted I

do not mean any disrespect to my

colleagues who are working on the show

they are good people and talented

artists but this is some greedy lazy

executive in right here and they all

know full well Steve would have hated

this shame on them

from Paul's tweets a man who was very

close to Helen Berg and knew spongebob

inside announce it's clear that the

concept of Camp coral is something that

would not go over well with Steve it's

worth noting that shows usually don't go

from concept to green-light in just

three months it's likely that

nickelodeon already had this planned and

would have announced this even if

Hillenburg was still alive yes it

absolutely goes against the wishes of

Hillenburg to the Creator but spongebob

is owned by Nickelodeon that's kind of

what happens when a network wants to air

your show the entertainment business

isn't always nice however announcing a

slew of projects surely after the

Creator died is still pretty scummy

and without Hillenburg around i'm

skeptical as to how these new spin-offs

will perform well swim shop has turned

into a massive beast or franchise one

that has strayed far away from its

original purpose let's not forget the

amazing legacy that Stephen Hillenburg

left behind with his phenomenal series I

mean the fact that we're still talking

about it almost twenty years later is an

impressive feat granted that's because

it still hasn't left the air yet but

even if it had I'm pretty sure we'd all

still finally remember what it was and

how it touched our childhood our teen

years and even college years for me

Steve made sure that spongebob was a

show for everyone no matter what age you

were let's remember it for what it was

not for what it's become

[Music]

you

[Music]