I think the kind of friendship we have is really unusual for so many reasons, and so many of them are built into SpongeBob. Technically, 27 years ago, we recorded the pilot episode ["Help Wanted"].

SpongeBob SquarePants debuted on May 1, 1999 with “Help Wanted,” an eight-minute introduction to creator Stephen Hillenburg’s animated aquatic wonderland. The pilot introduces viewers to the ...

The Hall H audience sings along to Tiny Tim’s “Livin’ in the Sunlight, Lovin’ in the Moonlight” during a “SpongeBob Squarepants” live table read of the pilot episode “Help Wanted.” ...

Mr. Krabs has been part of SpongeBob SquarePants lore since not even three minutes into the pilot episode that aired on May 1, 1999. With so much material to choose from, Mr. Krabs memes have run ...

“SpongeBob SquarePants” premiered on Nickelodeon on May 1, 1999, with the pilot episode “Help Wanted,” showing the “absorbent and yellow and porous” creature beginning his career as a ...

“SpongeBob SquarePants began his journey as a fry cook, flipping Krabby Patties in the pilot episode of the series 25 years ago, and the coveted patty has since remained an enduring fixture in ...

After 300 episodes, it makes sense that SpongeBob is getting self-referential. Those stories aren’t always successful, which happens with a “throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks” ethos.