View source for A Very Patchy Holiday Livestream

{{Episode/Special
|title = A Very Patchy Holiday Livestream
|code = 870<ref name="futon">[http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/spongebob-squarepants/listings/ ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' - The Futon Critic Episode Listings]</ref><ref name="spongebuddy">[https://www.sbmania.net/forums/threads/a-very-patchy-holiday-stream-premiering-on-december-8.66401/ Show News - A Very Patchy Christmas Stream premiering on December 8 - SpongeBuddy Mania - Forums]</ref>
|seasonnumber = 14
|year = {{Time|2023}}
|airdate = {{Flag|USA}} {{Time|December 15}}, {{Time|2023}}<br>{{Flag|CAN}} {{Time|December 16}}, {{Time|2023}}
|writer = [[Ben Kurzrock|Benjamin Kurzrock]]
|briefsummary = [[Patchy the Pirate]] livestreams his favorite holiday memories to ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants (series)|SpongeBob]]'' fans.
}}
===Characters===
*[[Patchy the Pirate]]
**Patchy's decapitated head {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
**Santa Claus
*[[Potty the Parrot]] 
*"Santa Claus" {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*{{Link|SpongeBob SquarePants}} {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
**SpongeBob ornament
**Reindeer {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
**Chumta Claus {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Patrick Star]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
**Patrick ornament
**Santa Claus {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Squidward Tentacles]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
**Squidward ornament
**Santa Claus {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*The Parrots {{Sup|(single appearance; seen on photo)}}
**Mommy the Parrot
**Poppy the Parrot 
**Glenn
*[[Polar bear]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*''SpongeBob'' fans {{Single appearance}}
**Pinhead_Larry
**EmployeeoftheMonth
**GoodNoodle
**ClubSpongeBobMayor
**Number1SpongeBobFan
**SpongeBobFanClubPresident
**Poriferan_Pal_24
**SmittyWerbenJagermanJensen
**Kuddle_E_Krab
*[[Bunny Star]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Cecil Star]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Squidina Star]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[GrandPat Star]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Sandy Cheeks]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Gary the Snail]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
**Pineapple Gary {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*Snow fish {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*{{Link|Incidentals}} {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
**[[Fred]]
**[[Incidental 7]]
**[[Incidental 40]]
**[[Incidental 41]]
**[[Old Man Walker]]
**[[Incidental 42]]
**[[Winter inc]] 
*Snow whale {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*Snow mermaid {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Eugene H. Krabs]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Sheldon J. Plankton]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Ms. Mayor]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Mrs. Puff]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Santa Claus]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Kevin C. Cucumber]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Jellyfish]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Reindeer|Bludolph the Turquoise-Nosed Reindeer]] {{Mentioned}}
*The Fish {{Mentioned}}
*[[Sea bunny|Sea bunnies]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Scallops and clams]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Sea bear]]s {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Moose snail]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[486 SpongeTron clones]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}
*[[Mailman]] {{Sup|(reused footage)}}

==Synopsis==
===Act 1===
Patchy begins to set up his livestream, but he ends up being locked out. He calls for Potty to give him the password, but he's away with his family, and he left Patchy a note with the password on it. After he logs in, he introduces himself to SpongeBob as the main leader of the SpongeBob fan club. He talks about how be wishes to be with SpongeBob on Christmas Day, and remembers the time he first asked a polar bear to do that in a clip from "[[It's a SpongeBob Christmas!]]." Despite that attempt being unsuccessful, he remembers the time that they actually did meet in a clip from "[[SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout]]." Suddenly, a few more fans begin to join Patchy's livestream, making him realize he's live, as he celebrates himself going "viral." Suddenly, people with names suggesting he has higher authority than he begin to pop up in the livestream, getting him frustrated and making him explain that they can be only members of his fan club. After that, he decides to showcase his ''SpongeBob'' memorabilia, and despite him saying he doesn't look like much, he said it could be way worse, showcasing a clip of the Stars preparing for the holidays from "[[Just in Time for Christmas]]." He then shows his background flower ornament from four minutes and thirty-four seconds into "[[SquidBob TentaclePants]]," and lights up his Christmas tree. Patchy compares his tree to Sandy's in "[[Christmas Who?]]," thanking her for bringing the holiday to Bikini Bottom as a clip rolls from that episode. Following the clip, a user named "Poriferan_Pal_24" joins the chat and asks Patchy to show his snow globe up close, and as he presents it, he talks about how snow brings Christmas spirit to Bikini Bottom - but he says that SpongeBob doesn't need it to celebrate the holidays, as he always finds a way to make everyone feel "chummy," rolling a clip of Chum Day being introduced to Bikini Bottom from "[[Plankton's Old Chum]]." In honor of the holidays, Patchy adds a hint of chum to the cookies he's baking for Santa, although after eating the mix, he gets sick. Potty joins the livestream, and criticizes the inconsistencies of Patchy's fake hook, who he ignores. Patchy says that the cookies he's making remind him of the special bond he has with SpongeBob, who unlike Santa, has never been confused as a giant monster, playing a clip from "[[The Ho! Ho! Horror!]]" Patchy says that Santa sometimes may not be himself, instead an impostor, rolling a clip of Patrick disguising himself as Santa from "[[Patrick the Mailman]]." When Potty implies that Patchy is an impostor, Patchy tells him to back off and says that anyone pretending to be Santa is doing it for a noble cause, rolling a clip from "[[SpongeBob's Road to Christmas]]." Patchy's stream eventually peaks at 16 viewers, but he brings the phone he's using to close to his face, and the stream crashes. 

===Act 2 ("A Squidmas Carol")===
Patchy gets back onto his stream with 13 viewers, and says that unlike the fans staring at their screens, Patchy keeps his brain working with a good book to read. He asks fans what he should take a look at, and despite fan recommendations, he chooses a book himself, which ends up being "A Squidmas Carol," SpongeBob's favorite Christmas tale - starring Squidward.

The book begins with Squidward turning down SpongeBob's offer to Christmas dinner, and that night, he is visited by the spirit of Squidmas Past, reminding him of a more innocent time as a clip of him playing the kazoo as a kid from "[[Lost and Found]]" rolls. Patchy says that it would be a shame if he ended up on Santa's naughty list, and he does thanks to his awful clarinet playing in another "Ho! Ho! Horror!" clip. He is then visited by the ghost of Squidmas Present, and Patchy wonders if they could hold a mirror  up to his rotten attitude, playing a clip of Squidward mocking SpongeBob's Christmas antics from "Christmas Who?" He is finally visited by the ghost of Squidmas Future, and a clip of Squidward in the future from "[[SB-129]]." Despite Patchy thinking that the future looks as bright as chrome, it isn't for Squidward, as he puts rest to his hopes and dreams in a clip from "[[One Krabs Trash]]." Patchy believes that this should get Squidward to get into the holiday spirit, but it doesn't, as Squidward fails to embrace Chum Day in a clip from "Plankton's Old Chum." Patchy wonders if Squidward will ever improve his attitude, but he does, as he pretends to be Santa Claus and gives away everything he has to the Bikini Bottomites in a clip from "Christmas Who?," concluding the book.

The audience shares their opinions in the chat, with the general consensus being that it was alright. Patchy says that it seems like all of the viewers were happy to see Squidward change. However, Potty insults Patchy, telling him to change his underwear, as it stinks. Patchy gets fed up with Potty, and tries to block him, but it causes the stream to crash again, and the stream decreases to 10 viewers.

===Act 3===
The livestream is back in business, and a user named "SmittyWerbenJagermanJensen" tells Patchy to get the presents, with "ClubSpongeBobMayor" agreeing. Patchy then takes a look back at the gifts from over the years, whether it's Patchy's decapitated head, or an encouraging note. A clip from the end of "SpongeBob's Road to Christmas" then rolls, as SpongeBob gives a note to Plankton saying that he will one day "destroy us all." Patchy says the gift can be a homemade perfect-fitting sweater, made of the highest-quality materials in the sea, rolling a clip from "[[Dying for Pie]]." Patchy says that sometimes "when it comes to presents, sometimes, it's the thought that counts," as a clip from "[[Idiot Box]]" rolls of two fish giving boxes to each other. Patchy says that it can sometimes be the complete opposite, showcasing a clip from "[[Just in Time for Christmas]]" of Patrick picking out poorly-chosen gifts to give to his family. Patchy says that if you're like SpongeBob, you can make a gift from your own two hands, as a clip of SpongeBob chopping up Gary a pineapple statue in his likeness from "[[Karate Star]]" plays. Patchy finally states that sometimes one's gift is making someone else's Christmas gift come true, playing a clip of Squidward as Santa talking to SpongeBob from "Christmas Who?"

Patchy says that the livestream is now over, and thanks all 9 of the viewers that stayed for watching all the way through. When Patchy says how he wishes that SpongeBob could see this, "Kuddle_E_Krab" suggests e-mailing to him, but Patchy confuses it for just mailing it to him directly, and throws his phone in the ocean. SpongeBob receives the phone as a letter in a clip from "[[Party Pooper Pants]]," and as he says that the person who sent this "obviously has no idea about the physical limitations of living underwater," and he throws it into a fireplace, watching it burn.

==Production==
This special was confirmed on {{Time|November 1}}, {{Time|2023}}.<ref name="spongebuddy"/>

==Trivia==
===Episodes featured===
*"[[It's a SpongeBob Christmas!]]
*"[[SpongeBob's Big Birthday Blowout]]"
*"[[SquidBob TentaclePants]]" {{sup|(pictured)}}
*"[[Just in Time for Christmas]]"
*"[[Christmas Who?]]" 
*"[[Snowball Effect]]"
*"[[Plankton's Old Chum]]"
*"[[The Ho! Ho! Horror!]]"
*"[[Patrick the Mailman]]"
*"[[SpongeBob's Road to Christmas]]"
*"[[Ghost Host]]" {{sup|(model reused)}}
*"[[Lost and Found]]"
*"[[Séance Shméance]]" {{sup|(model reused)}}
*"[[SB-129]]"
*"[[One Krabs Trash]]"
*"[[Dying for Pie]]"
*"[[Idiot Box]]"
*"[[Karate Star]]"
*"[[Party Pooper Pants]]"
{{List-incomplete}}

===General===
*This special was originally scheduled to premiere on {{Time|December 8}}, {{Time|2023}}.<ref name="spongebuddy"/><ref name="nickalive">[http://www.nickalive.net/2023/11/nickelodeon-to-premiere-spongebob.html Nickelodeon to Premiere 'SpongeBob Universe A Very Patchy Holiday Special' on Dec. 8 - NickALive!]</ref> It was then moved ahead to {{Time|November 29}}, 2023<ref name="futon"/> before being pulled entirely.<ref>[https://www.nickalive.net/2023/11/nickelodeon-holiday-programming-guide.html Nickelodeon Holiday Programming Guide 2023 - NickALive!]</ref> Not too long later, it was rescheduled one last time to {{Time|December 15}}, {{Time|2023}}.
**The scheduling of the [[Nicktoons]] premiere of this special was similarly chaotic. It was originally scheduled to simulcast with the [[Nickelodeon]] premiere (for all of its scheduled premiere times) before being pulled entirely. It was then rescheduled to {{Time|December 18}}, 2023 at 7:30 PM before being pulled again. Not long later, it was rescheduled one last time to 9:30 PM on the same date.
*This episode premiered on the [[SpongeBob SquarePants Official|''SpongeBob SquarePants'' Official YouTube channel]] a day after release but was later made private. The channel made a public upload of the episode one year later.
**Both stand-alone specials were also written by [[Ben Kurzrock|Benjamin Kurzrock]].
*Some of the episode clips used in this special have slightly different audio mixing, as the music in the clip of "Patrick the Mailman" is noticeably quieter than normal.
*Potty complaining about how Patchy's phony hook is now on his other hand references the inconsistencies of which hand the hook is worn on throughout the franchise.
*This episode premiered as part of the [[Nickmas Party]] event.
*This is also the first episode for several things:
**The first {{SBSP}}-related media to premiere on a Friday in 2023 since "[[Delivery to Monster Island]]," due to [[AfterToons]] block being created, which premieres new episodes every weekday excluding Friday.
***Ironically, due to "[[Ride Patrick Ride]]" not premiering on its intended premiere date of {{Time|April 14}}, 2023 at 7:00 PM, the ''SpongeBob'' AfterToons premieres on Thursdays all had their sister episodes unaired until the next premiere block.
**The first clip show special to focus on Patchy since "[[SpongeBob's Spookiest Scenes Countdown Special]]."
**The first appearance of the inside of Patchy's house in 13 years since "[[Truth or Square]]."
**The first appearance of Patchy's house, Christmas tree, and kitchen in 2D animation, and the latter two's first appearance in 23 years since "Christmas Who?"
**The first appearance of the colored ghost in 8 years since "[[Séance Shméance]]," as well as his third appearance following "[[Ghost Host]]" and "Séance Shméance" in the show.
*This is the sixth Christmas-related special, following "[[Christmas Who?]]," "[[It's a SpongeBob Christmas!]]," "[[Goons on the Moon]]," "[[SpongeBob's Road to Christmas]]," and "[[Twas the Night Before Spongemas]]."
**It is also the second stand-alone Christmas special, after "Twas the Night Before Spongemas."
**Including {{TPSS}} episode "[[Just in Time for Christmas]]" and the {{KKSUY}} episode "[[The Ho! Ho! Horror!]]," this is the franchise's seventh episode to include a Christmas theme, and the eighth season in a row to have a Christmas-related episode.
*Following "SpongeBob's Road to Christmas," this episode marks the second appearance of [[Encino]] in 2D animation.
*The title card, which is unused in the final episode, was shared by Ben Kurzrock on Instagram.<ref>[https://www.instagram.com/p/C1uhHkExKwY/?img_index=3 Ben Kurzrock on Instagram]</ref>
[[File:The Bikini Atoll in A Very Patchy Holiday Stream Special.png|thumb|260px|The Bikini Atoll in Encino.]]
*This episode reveals the following:
**The Santa Claus costume that Patchy wears at [[Christmas Land Theme Park]] is itchy.
**Patchy has a different car that is not [[Patchy's boat car|his boat car]].
**[[Bikini Atoll]] is in Encino.
*Surprisingly, unlike the other clip-shows, this episode uses a lot of new animated footage.
*This episode reveals Patchy still works at the Christmas Land Theme Park.

===Episode references===
*Many of the ''SpongeBob'' fans' names reference episodes of the show: 
**"Pinhead_Larry" references [[Pinhead Larry]], the character Patrick pretended to be in "[[Survival of the Idiots]]."
**"EmployeeoftheMonth" references [[Employee of the Month Award|the award of the same name]].
**"GoodNoodle" references the [[Good Noodle Board]] stars SpongeBob received and the student he tried to be in "[[New Student Starfish]]."
**"ClubSpongeBobMayor" references "[[Club SpongeBob]]," directly featuring the name of the episode in their username.
**"SmittyWerbenJagermanJensen" references [[Smitty Werbenjägermanjensen]], the man whose grave was defiled by Mr. Krabs in "[[One Krabs Trash]]."
**"Kuddle_E_Krab" references the [[Kuddly Krab]], the new name Pearl gave the Krusty Krab in "[[Bossy Boots]]."
*Patchy saying that the thing funnier than "Poriferan_Pal_24" is "Poriferan_Pal_25" references another moment in "New Student Starfish," where SpongeBob and Patrick make the "24... 25" joke at boating school.
*After Potty points out Patchy's hook swapped hands, Patchy says "You, I'm ignoring." which is a reference to the same line from "[[Christmas Who?]]."
*"SpongeBobFanClubPresident" types "CHOCOLATEEEE!" as they watch Patchy eat his cookie dough, referencing "[[Chocolate with Nuts]]."
*"Pinhead_Larry" suggests reading the book "Bludolph the Turquoise-Nosed Reindeer," which is a nod to a character first mentioned in "[[It's a SpongeBob Christmas!]]," and later appeared in "[[The Ho! Ho! Horror!]]" and "[[SpongeBob's Road to Christmas]]."
*"Number1SpongeBobFan" saying that the book that Patchy read was better than education television references the "educational television" gag from "[[No Free Rides]]."
*"ClubSpongeBobMayor" saying "Oh brother, this guy stinks!" as Patchy throws his phone into the ocean references Fred's line in the episode "[[Squirrel Jokes]]."

===Cultural references===
*"How the Fish Stole Christmas" is a parody of the {{Time|1957}} {{W|Dr. Seuss}} book ''{{W|How the Grinch Stole Christmas!}}''
*"The Molar Express" is a parody of the {{Time|1985}} book ''{{W|The Polar Express}}''.
*"A Squidmas Carol" and many of its elements are a parody of the 1843 book ''{{W|A Christmas Carol}}'' and its author, Charles Fishkins, is a pun on the late {{W|Charles Dickens}}' name. 
**The usage of the "hopes and dreams" clip from "[[One Krabs Trash]]" in a "Squidmas Carol" appears to parody {{W|Tiny Tim (A Christmas Carol)|Tiny Tim}}'s death in the story.

===Errors===
*The title card has Patchy's name misspelled as "Patchty."

==Videos==
[[File:Nickmas Party Promo - December 2023 (Nickelodeon U.S.)|thumb|center|335px]]
[[File:FULL EPISODE- SpongeBob’s BIGGEST Christmas Ever 🎁 - A Very Patchy Holiday - @SpongeBobOfficial|thumb|center|335px]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Very Patchy Holiday Livestream}}
[[Category:Holiday episode specials]]