Nickelodeon’s iconic SpongeBob SquarePants celebrates its 25th anniversary this year as one of the most popular animated series ever. In honor of this remarkable 25-year run, Nickelodeon has shared previews of the “SpongeBob SquarePants 25th” anniversary artwork and an exclusive preview of SpongeBob SquarePants’ 25th anniversary artwork with AWN and an interview with stars Tom Kenny (SpongeBob), Bill fa*gerbakke (Patrick), Carolyn Lawrence (Sandy Cheeks), Rodger Bumpass (Squidward), Clancy Brown (Mr. Krabs) and Mr. Lawrence (Plankton). And some fun facts!
Stephen Hillenburg, who created SpongeBob SquarePants and Nickelodeon, in Burbank California, produces the series. The character-driven cartoon chronicles the nautical and sometimes nonsensical adventures of SpongeBob, an incurable optimist and earnest sea sponge, and his undersea friends.
Since the series launched July 17, 1999, it has generated a universe of beloved characters, pop culture catchphrases and memes, theatrical releases, consumer products, a Tony award-winning Broadway musical and a global fan base.
“SpongeBob SquarePants combines creator Stephen Hillenburg’s love of the ocean with his passion for animation and love of quirky character comedy,” shared Tom Kenny (voice of SpongeBob SquarePants). “From its first splash, SpongeBob has resonated with people of all ages, and I’m truly grateful to celebrate 25 years of positivity, optimism, and nautical nonsense. Our entire cast and crew look forward to celebrating SpongeBob’s Silver Jubilee with our friends and fans across the globe!”
The shows stars shared some of their thoughts with AWN:
What is your favorite episode and why?
Carolyn: “The Paper” - Funny enough, I am not in it hah!It delivers messages about creativity, resourcefulness, friendship, and the value of finding joy in simple pleasures.
Bill: The pilot because it made me feel like a kid.
Who is your favorite guest star that you’ve worked with and why?
Tom: Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway were absolutely Titans! They brought so much to the characters of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy. Johnny Knoxville, Malcolm McDowell, Danny Trejo, and Henry Winkler were joys to work with! I really enjoyed voice directing all of them!
Clancy: Are you trying to get me in trouble? Too many great guest stars! Many friends. But if pushed it will always be Earnest and Tim. Always and forever. Rest in peace, MM&BB.
Rodger: Easily it’s Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway (Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy). I grew up watching those two and have such admiration for their acting and comedy chops. I was in a film with Ernest and Tim’s comedy skills actually were things I emulated in my early days of performing. They both were so nice to me it was such a thrill to actually work alongside of them.
What do you like most about your job?
Mr. Lawrence: Getting to write, draw and perform to make people laugh is a pretty great gig. But the people I work with are all brilliant and funny. So that’s the best part, my friendships.
Is there a scene that was the most challenging to capture?
Tom: After doing this for over a quarter century, we are all very experienced hands at this point, all the way along the production line. One thing I have learned is that some scenes take longer than others to “find the maximum funny.” We have learned that sometimes if you just take a step back and attack it in a different way, the character personalities that Stephen Hillenburg created will point the way. It’s like a Jedi opening himself up to “The Force.”
Carolyn: The live action episode “SpongeBob'sBig Birthday Blowout” It was surreal being a live action version of my character and would love to do it again…but better.
Rodger: “The Lemonade Stand” was the hardest show ever for me. I had to repeat a sequence where I had to 1. Be shocked and scream, 2. Violently spray out ink, (nose and mouth sounds), 3. Then scream again and run away. This sequence was repeated over and over. Exhausting.
Do you have a favorite song from the show?
Clancy: How about three? “This Grill Is Not A Home,” “Oh, Krusty Krab,” and, of course, “Sweet Victory.”
What attracts people to this show and universe?
Bill: The challenging marriage of cleverness and innocence.
Mr. Lawrence: SpongeBob and his cohorts are the thing. The characters are very relatable, and they are not afraid to show real emotions and have real conflicts with each other. That’s what makes great comedy and that’s why people keep coming back. They come for the compelling characters and stay for the pie in the face.
Tom: That is very simple and very complex at the same time! The main ingredients are good vibes, simplicity, escape, and plenty of goofy jokes!
Info on the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024:
- Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants 25th anniversary year-long celebration kicks off the show’s stars, SpongeBob SquarePants (Kinney) and Patrick Star (fa*gerbakke), hosting the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards 2024, live from their undersea home of Bikini Bottom on Saturday, July 13, at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT).
- The immersive broadcast is the first-time animated characters will host a full-length awards show and marks the beginning of an array of multiplatform initiatives launching in their honor.
Here’s a quick teaser:
Nickelodeon has also shared a few SpongeBob facts, so take notes!
- SpongeBob SquarePants is one of Paramount International’s most widely distributed properties in history. The show is available in 180+ markets, translated in 30+ languages, and averages over 90 million total viewers every quarter.
- The series has received multiple Emmy Awards including Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for Tom Kenny (2020 and 2018), Individual Achievement in Animation, Storyboard – Alessandro Taini (2020), Outstanding Children’s Animated Series (2018), Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing (2014), and Outstanding Special Class Animated Program (2010). In addition, at the 2018 Daytime Emmy Awards Stephen Hillenburg received a special honor for his contribution and impact in the animation field.
More SpongeBob content coming soon:
SpongeBob SquarePants Anniversary Special debuts July 15 on Nickelodeon worldwide:
- The all-new specially produced episodes (with Easter eggs!) catch up with former jellyfishing champion Kevin C. Cucumber and journeys through different eras of Bikini Bottom and travels 2000 years into the future with Plankton.
On streaming home Paramount+, titles coming this month include SpongeBob SquarePants seasons 1-13; original spinoff series Kamp Koral: SpongeBob’s Under Years, and season one of The Patrick Star Show; theatrical films, such as The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie; and anniversary-themed specials throughout the year.
In partnership with Netflix:
Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie – coming to Netflix August 2, 2024
- An original 3DCG-nimated film, produced in partnership with Netflix, follows Bikini Bottom’s resident squirrel.
Plankton: The Movie – coming in 2025.
- In the movie, Plankton’s world is flipped upside down when his plan for world domination is thwarted.
SpongeBob SquarePants upcoming theatrical release:
- The SpongeBob Movie: The Search for SquarePants, from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Animation hits theaters December 19, 2025.
Play Like a Sponge UK Shorts:
- Nickelodeon UK and ParalympicsGB have partnered to produce Play like a Sponge, a shortform series that inspires kids to find their inner SpongeBob as he cheers them on in their quest to learn about and sample new sports with paralympic athletes ahead of the upcoming games in Paris this August.
New Digital Experiences
- Creator Consultant, SpongeBob TikTok: Nickelodeon is diving deep into the heart of Bikini Bottom to recruit a bubbly, creative, and meme-savvy social media creator to work on the SpongeBob SquarePants’ TikTok account. Those interested in making a splash can apply to the opportunity here.
- SpongeBob Simulator on Roblox:Nickelodeon andGamefamteam up to kick start an epic multiweek(June 21 – July 18) SpongeBob25th Anniversary eventon Robloxwhere players will experience an unforgettableunlock inSpongeBob Simulator after completing the multigame challenge, as well as exclusive UGC rewards and Bikini Bottom buddies.
- YouTube: All new short-form originals emerge this summer on the SpongeBob YouTube channel, including new episodes of “SpongeBob: Reimagined,” “SpongeBob: IRL,” and a DoodleBob YouTube Shorts series where he uses his pencil to redraw classic SpongeBob scenes starring himself as the main character.
Source: Nickelodeon
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
