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SpongeBob Squarepants" is the story of an endlessly optimistic sea sponge and his best friend, Patrick, a deeply irresponsible Starfish. The animated show started in 1999 and was still in production as of 2011. Through all of its spinoffs, SpongeBob is fundamentally the story of SpongeBob and Patrick and their friendship.
Boat School
SpongeBob attended Mrs Puff's Boating School in the early seasons. This is where the inhabitants of Bikini Bottom learn drive their boatmobiles. SpongeBob's persistent failure to pass the test is one of the show's main plots. In the episode "'Mrs Puff, You're Fired" we learn SpongeBob failed the test 1,258,058 times.
Patrick's Intelligence
Patrick Starfish is noticeably more irresponsible than his best friend, but Patrick has shown flashes of tremendous intelligence. In the episode "Tentacle Vision," Squidward finally asks Patrick exactly how stupid he is. He responds "'It varies."
Spongeboy
The character and show were called Spongeboy when the original seven minute pilot was recorded in 1997. However, the creators found the name was copyrighted for a mop. SpongeBob was the idea of of creator Stephen Hillenburg, who thought Sponge had to be in the name or viewers might think the square creature was made of cheese.
Patrick's Royal Blood
In the episode "Rule of Dumb," a visiting Starfish explains that he has researched Patrick's family line, and that Patrick is the true King of Bikini Bottom. Patrick becomes more and more tyrannical until he realizes he's become a monster and returns the crown. It's then revealed that SpongeBob's pet snail Gary is, in fact, the King.
"Rocko" Debut
Voice actor Tom Kenny, who voices SpongeBob, had previously worked with Hillenburg on "Rocko's Modern Life." Hillenburg asked Kenny to do a voice for SpongeBob that was similar to a voice Kenny did for a female alligator in "Rocko." Kenny had to watch a tape of the alligator episode to learn do the voice again.
Patrick's Nose
In "No Nose Knows," Patrick has plastic surgery so he can have a nose. For a while, Patrick rejoices in the scents around him but soon realizes most things smell bad. The other characters use a giant ball of garbage to make Patrick's new nose shrink and fall off.
SpongeBob Passes the Test
The episode "Gone" opens with SpongeBob finding himself the only person in Bikini Bottom. He impersonates every other inhabitant, including Mrs Puff, and allows himself to pass the boat test. Despite this, he eventually becomes frightened of boats. When everyone else returns, they reveal they were celebrating "No SpongeBob Day," a holiday he suggested.
Patrick's Work History
Patrick has had a varied work career, but he always returns to the Krusty Krab. As of the show's ninth season, Patrick had worked at the diner eight different times. Patrick has also worked for their arch rivals, The Chum Bucket, in the episodes "The Fry Cook Games," "Chum Bucket Supreme," where he was responsible for inventing the Chum Bucket's new slogan and "Bucket Sweet Bucket."
The Musical
The musical movie "The Sponge Who Could Fly" was intended to conclude the series. When the movie proved successful, the series was renewed. "The Sponge Who Could Fly" was also turned into a live musical in 2009. The episode was chosen for adaptation as it already had several songs.
The Real Bikini Bottom
Fictional Bikini Bottom is situated under Bikini Atoll, a real location in the Micronesian Islands. Bikini Atoll was the location of Operation: Crossroads, a series of nuclear weapon tests that took place in 1946. Some fans like to say the test that detonated a nuclear bomb 90 feet underwater on July 25, 1946, is the reason why the inhabitants of Bikini Bottom are "alive."
