
25 Things You Didn't Know About SpongeBob SquarePants

25. Many celebrities have guest starred on SpongeBob
SpongeBob has featured a variety of high-profile guest stars over the years. Notable appearances include Keanu Reeves, Will Ferrell, Johnny Depp, Robin Williams, and David Bowie. | © Nickelodeon

24. SpongeBob is the longest running Nickelodeon series ever
Spongebob is the longest-running Nickelodeon series ever, replacing the Rugrats after it aired its 173rd episode. The show premiered in May 1999 and made audiences around the world. | © Nickelodeon

23. Squidward is an octopus, not a squid
Despite his name, Squidward is an anthropomorphic octopus. He was designed with six legs purely for animation ease, adding to his distinctive character look. | © Nickelodeon

22. The Krabby Patty secret formula has never been revealed
Despite fan theories, Nickelodeon has kept the secret behind the iconic Krabby Patty formula. While the burger comes in various versions, each still features one mysterious ingredient that remains undisclosed. | © Nickelodeon

21. Sandy Cheeks was inspired by hillbillies
Sandy Cheeks, a Texan squirrel originally from Houston, was inspired by hillbilly culture. Designed as a contrast to SpongeBob’s oceanic world, her Southern twang makes her a uniquely memorable character. | © Nickelodeon

20. SpongeBob’s laugh was inspired by dolphins
SpongeBob's iconic laugh, voiced by Tom Kenny, was inspired by a mix of dolphin sounds and a seagull's call. This quirky blend creates a whimsical and endearing laugh that perfectly captures the charm of this character. | © Nickelodeon

19. SpongeBob is afraid of the dark
In the Season 5 episode Night Light, SpongeBob faces an unexpected fear of the dark. This storyline adds depth to his character, revealing a vulnerable side that resonates with longtime fans. | © Nickelodeon

18. Stephen Hillenburg didn't study animation
Stephen Hillenburg, creator of SpongeBob, never studied animation; he earned a Bachelor's degree in marine resources from Humboldt State University while drawing comics as a hobby. While working at the Orange County Marine Institute, he began conceiving the innovative world of Bikini Bottom. | © Nickelodeon

17. A large part of viewers are adults
Surprisingly, around 25% of SpongeBob viewers are adults. Even as a kid, you may have noticed commercials for things like credit cards and car insurance during the show, proving Nickelodeon always knew it had a significant adult fanbase. | © Nickelodeon

16. The musical score features songs from legendary musicians
The SpongeBob Musical boasts original songs from stars, including hits by David Bowie and Cyndi Lauper. With tracks like No Control and (Just a) Simple Sponge, the music score features various catchy, unforgettable tunes. | © Nickelodeon

15. Nickelodeon wanted SpongeBob to be a child
Nickelodeon originally wanted to portray SpongeBob as a child who goes to school with a math book and backpack to make the show suitable for a young audience. However, Stephen Hillenburg chose to make him an adult with a fun, childlike spirit. | © Nickelodeon

14. The SpongeBob Musical actually received critical acclaim
The SpongeBob Musical earned big praise from critics, even getting 12 Tony Award nominations at the 72nd Tony Awards. Although it didn't win the top prize, its fun energy and SpongeBob charm won over fans. | © Nickelodeon

13. Patrick graduated from community college
Even though Patrick is known as one of the less bright characters, he graduated from community college. This is surprising because most of his Bikini Bottom friends never even went to college. | © Nickelodeon

12. Krabby Patties are vegetarian burgers
Krabby Patties are likely veggie burgers since fish is the main source of meat in the ocean. Otherwise, we'd have to assume that the residents of Bikini Bottom are cannibals. | © Nickelodeon

11. There’s a real-life Krusty Krab restaurant
A real-life Krusty Krab restaurant was built in Palestine, mimicking the design of the underwater fast-food joint. This offers a fun, tangible taste of Bikini Bottom right on land. | © Nickelodeon

10. SpongeBob is Obama's favorite character
Barack Obama, two-term president of the United States and the father of two, once said that SpongeBob is his favorite TV character and enjoyed watching the show with his daughters, Sasha and Malia. | © Nickelodeon

9. Patrick Star was initially employed
Patrick Star was originally planned to be a bar owner with bad, bully-like behavior. Over time, he kept a bit of his rough edge but evolved into the lovable, goofy character that helped make the show a hit. | © Nickelodeon

8. The Krusty Krab is actually a lobster trap
The Krusty Krab was inspired by a real lobster trap, with its design mirroring the distinctive shape of this trap. It was originally called the Crusty Crab, but Stephen Hillenburg later changed it to all K's. | © Nickelodeon

7. SpongeBob was originally named SpongeBoy
Stephen Hillenburg originally named the character SpongeBoy and even gave him a green cap. However, when he discovered that the name was already taken by a mop company, he changed both the design and the name to SpongeBob. | © Nickelodeon

6. Mr. Krabs was based on a real person
Stephen Hillenburg created Mr. Krabs based on his old boss from a seafood restaurant – a tough and hardworking ex-army cook who left a strong impression on him. This inspiration gives Mr. Krabs a genuine feel as a mentor to SpongeBob. | © Nickelodeon

5. Mermaid Man was voiced by an Oscar winner
Ernest Borgnine, an Oscar-winning actor from classic films like Marty and The Dirty Dozen, gave his warm and funny voice to Mermaid Man on SpongeBob. His nearly 50-year career and heartfelt performance made Mermaid Man one of the most memorable side characters in the show. | © Nickelodeon

4. Patrick and Gary are first cousins
Patrick and Gary are first cousins, linked through Patrick's grandparents. In the Rule of Dumb episode, we even learn that their family history includes a touch of royal blood. | © Nickelodeon

3. Karen is married to SpongeBob
Karen, the computer wife of Plankton, is voiced by Jill Talley. Fun fact: Jill is married to Tom Kenny, the man who brings SpongeBob to life with his unique voice. | © Nickelodeon

2. The 2004 movie should have been the end to the series
The original SpongeBob movie from 2004 was meant to be the series' final chapter. Everything released after, including the latest movie, canonically takes place before that storyline. | © Nickelodeon

1. The show did get much worse over time
The early seasons of SpongeBob, especially the first two, delivered some truly memorable cartoon moments. However, many fans and critics agree that the show has lost its charm over time and just isn't as enjoyable as it once was. Making this decline even more tragic, the late creator of SpongeBob, Stephen Hillenburg, asked Spongebob to end on a high note – Nickelodeon didn't care about his wishes and continued the show, eventually losing the charm it once had. | © Nickelodeon
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