View source for Season 3

{{D|the third season of the main series|Season 3}}
{{Season
|season = 3
|image = 3.jpg
|region1 = {{Time|September 27}}, {{Time|2005}}
|region2 = {{Time|December 3}}, {{Time|2007}}
|region4 = {{Time|November 8}}, {{Time|2007}}
|episodes = 20 (37 segments)
|premiere = {{Time|October 5}}, {{Time|2001}}
|finale = {{Time|October 11}}, {{Time|2004}}
|prev = [[Season 2]]
|next = [[Season 4]]
}}
The '''third season''' of the American animated television series {{SBSP}}, created by former marine biologist and animator [[Stephen Hillenburg]], was internally announced on {{Time|September 20}}, {{Time|2000}},<ref>"[[Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants]]"</ref> and was first publicly mentioned in a news article on {{Time|May 18}}, {{Time|2001}}.<ref>[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-creator-spongebob/99170696/ Creator: SpongeBob is spineless but innocent (E3) - Newspapers.com]</ref>

A total of 20 half-hour episodes were produced for this season.

Season 3 premiered on {{Time|October 5}}, 2001 with "[[The Bully]]" and "[[Just One Bite]]," and ended on {{Time|October 11}}, {{Time|2004}} with "[[SpongeBob Meets the Strangler]]" and "[[Pranks a Lot]]." The season was executive-produced by series creator Hillenburg, who also acted as the showrunner. The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of the [[SpongeBob SquarePants (character)|titular character]] and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of [[Bikini Bottom]].

The season was well received by media critics and fans. During its run, ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' became the highest rated children's show on cable, with over 50 million viewers a month. The show received several recognitions, including its nomination at the {{W|Primetime Emmy Awards}} for Outstanding Children's Program. The episodes "[[New Student Starfish]]" and "[[Clams]]" were nominated for Outstanding Animated Program (for Programming Less Than One Hour) category, while the entry "[[Ugh|SpongeBob B.C. (Ugh)]]" won the same category. The season was also the first time the show received a nomination at the {{W|Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards|Kids' Choice Awards}} and won. It won the {{W|2003 Kids' Choice Awards}} for Favorite Cartoon, and also won the {{W|2004 Kids' Choice Awards|following year's}} Kids' Choice Award for the same category. Celebrities—including {{W|Justin Timberlake}}, {{W|Kelly Osbourne}}, {{W|Britney Spears}}, {{W|Bruce Willis}}, {{W|Noel Gallagher}}, rapper {{W|Dr. Dre}}, and {{W|Mike Myers}}—have been reported to be fans of the show.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wareham|first=Mark|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-100133730.html|title=Yellow Fever; Bruce Willis Loves the Little Yellow Chap and Rob Lowe and Noel Gallagher Are Also Fans. Children's Cartoon Character SpongeBob SquarePants Is Attracting a Cult Following with Viewers Old Enough to Know Better|date=April 3, 2003|accessdate=February 13, 2018|publisher=High Beam|website=highbeam.com}}</ref>

Several compilation DVDs that contain episodes from the season were released. The [[The Complete 3rd Season|''SpongeBob SquarePants'': The Complete 3rd Season]] DVD was released in Region 1 on {{Time|September 27}}, {{Time|2005}}, almost a year after the season had completed broadcast on television, Region 2 on {{Time|December 3}}, {{Time|2007}}, and Region 4 on {{Time|November 8}}, 2007.

==Production==
During production of the [[season 2|previous season]], [[Nickelodeon]] already renewed ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' for a third season on September 20, 2000, due to the show's high ratings across basic cable television.

Hillenburg halted production on the show to work on the 2004 film adaptation of the series, ''[[The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie]]''. 

Hillenburg wanted season 3 to be the last season, but a [[season 4|fourth season]] was approved following the show's popularity and entered production a few months before the release of the movie.

After production on the film, Hillenburg resigned from the show as its showrunner and appointed staff writer [[Paul Tibbitt]] to overtake the position. However, he did remain as Executive Producer for the remainder of the series until his death in 2018. 

==List of episodes==
<onlyinclude>
{{EpList/top}}
{{EpList
|Name = The Algae's Always Greener
|Date = {{Time|March 22}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 4.55<ref name="Algae">[https://web.archive.org/web/20231203181623/https://www.ratingsryan.com/2022/04/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20020324.html Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending March 24, 2002]</ref>
|Desc = {{Link|Plankton}} switches lives with {{Link|Mr. Krabs}}.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = SpongeGuard on Duty
|Date = {{Time|March 22}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 4.55<ref name="Algae"/>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} becomes a lifeguard at [[Goo Lagoon]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Club SpongeBob
|Date = {{Time|July 12}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 2.52<ref name="ratings"/>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}}, {{Link|Patrick}}, and {{Link|Squidward}} get trapped in the [[Kelp Forest]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = My Pretty Seahorse
|Date = {{Time|July 12}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 2.52<ref name="ratings"/>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} adopts a [[Mystery the Seahorse|stray seahorse]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Just One Bite
|Date = {{Time|October 5}}, {{Time|2001}}<ref group="note">The cut version of this episode aired on {{Time|January 2}}, {{Time|2002}}.</ref>
|Views = <center>2.92<ref name="ratings"/> 
------------ 
3.71<ref name="ratings"/><small> (cut)</small></center>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} tries to get {{Link|Squidward}} to try a [[Krabby Patty]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = The Bully
|Date = {{Time|October 5}}, {{Time|2001}}
|Views = 2.92<ref name="ratings"/> 
|Desc = [[Flats the Flounder|A bully]] joins {{Link|SpongeBob}}'s boating class and threatens to kick his butt.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Nasty Patty
|Date = {{Time|March 1}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 3.91<ref name="nasty idiots"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20240225093652/https://www.ratingsryan.com/2022/04/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20020303.html Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending March 3, 2002]</ref>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} and {{Link|Mr. Krabs}} think they killed the health inspector.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Idiot Box
|Date = {{Time|March 1}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 3.91<ref name="nasty idiots"/>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} and {{Link|Patrick}} use their imagination to play with an empty [[Imagination box|box]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy IV
|Date = {{Time|January 21}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 5.74<ref name="MMBBIV"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20240229194510/https://www.ratingsryan.com/2022/03/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20020127.html Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending January 27, 2002]</ref>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} obtains [[Mermaid Man]]'s utility belt.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Doing Time
|Date = {{Time|January 21}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 5.74<ref name="MMBBIV"/>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} and {{Link|Patrick}} try to break [[Mrs. Puff]] out of jail. 
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Snowball Effect
|Date = {{Time|February 22}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 3.85<ref name="ratings"/>
--------- 
2.29<ref name="snowball Krabs"> [https://archive.ph/qBa7c Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending February 24, 2002]</ref><small>(HH)*</small>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} and {{Link|Patrick}} have a snowball fight and try to get {{Link|Squidward}} to join in as well.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = One Krabs Trash
|Date = {{Time|February 22}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 3.85<ref name="ratings"/>
------------ 
2.29<ref name="snowball Krabs"/><small>(HH)*</small>
|Desc = {{Link|Mr. Krabs}} sells {{Link|SpongeBob}} a valuable soda drink hat.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = As Seen on TV
|Date = {{Time|March 8}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 3.65<ref name="ratings"> [https://archive.ph/0BATH Friends (NBC): Ratings Recap]</ref>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} believes he has become famous off a [[Krusty Krab]] commercial.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Can You Spare a Dime?
|Date = {{Time|March 8}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 3.65<ref name="ratings"/> 
|Desc = {{Link|Squidward}} quits his job and stays at {{Link|SpongeBob}}'s house.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = No Weenies Allowed
|Date = {{Time|March 15}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 4.78<ref name= "weenies returns"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20240522104321/https://www.ratingsryan.com/2022/04/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20020317.html Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending March 17, 2002]</ref>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} tries to act tough in order to get into [[The Salty Spitoon]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Squilliam Returns
|Date = {{Time|March 15}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 4.78<ref name= "weenies returns"/>
|Desc = {{Link|Squidward}} tries to convince {{Link|Squilliam}} that he owns a [[5-Star Krusty Krab|five-star restaurant]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Krab Borg
|Date = {{Time|March 29}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 4.58<ref name= "borg Bivalve"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20240305044515/https://www.ratingsryan.com/2022/04/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20020331.html Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending March 31, 2002]</ref>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} and {{Link|Squidward}} think {{Link|Mr. Krabs}} is a robot.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Rock-a-Bye Bivalve
|Date = {{Time|March 29}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 4.58<ref name= "borg Bivalve"/>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} and {{Link|Patrick}} care for a [[Junior|baby scallop]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Wet Painters
|Date = {{Time|May 10}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 3.86<ref name= "wet video"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20240305101201/https://www.ratingsryan.com/2022/05/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20020512.html Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending May 12, 2002]</ref>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} and {{Link|Patrick}} paint the inside of {{Link|Mr. Krabs}}' house.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Krusty Krab Training Video
|Date = {{Time|May 10}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 3.86<ref name= "wet video"/>
|Desc = The [[Krusty Krab]] is featured in an instructional video for future employees.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Party Pooper Pants
|Date = {{Time|May 17}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 6.32<ref name= "ppp">[https://web.archive.org/web/20240422084646/https://www.ratingsryan.com/2022/05/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20020519.html Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending May 19, 2002]</ref>
------------ 
6.70<ref name= "live+7">[https://www.nickandmore.com/2002/05/21/spongebobs-house-party-scores-6-7-million-total-viewers/ "SpongeBob's House Party" Scores 6.7 Million Total Viewers - Nickandmore!]</ref><small>(live+7)</small>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} throws a party.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Chocolate with Nuts
|Date = {{Time|June 1}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 4.33<ref name= "mmwithnuts"> [https://archive.ph/oMOG4 Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending June 2, 2002]</ref>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} and {{Link|Patrick}} sell chocolate bars.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy V
|Date = {{Time|June 1}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 4.33<ref name= "mmwithnuts"/>
|Desc = [[Barnacle Boy]] joins the dark side.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = New Student Starfish
|Date = {{Time|September 20}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 3.92<ref name="ratings"/>
------------ 
2.69<ref name= "newclams"> [https://archive.ph/QPR9F Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending September 22, 2002]</ref><small>(HH)*</small>
|Desc = {{Link|Patrick}} joins {{Link|SpongeBob}}'s [[Mrs. Puff's Boating School|boating school]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Clams
|Date = {{Time|September 20}}, {{Time|2002}}
|Views = 3.92<ref name="ratings"/>
------------ 
2.69<ref name= "newclams"/><small>(HH)*</small>
|Desc = {{Link|Mr. Krabs}}' [[Mr. Krabs' one millionth dollar|one millionth dollar]] is eaten by a [[Old Bluelip|clam]] during a fishing trip.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Ugh
|Date = {{Time|March 5}}, {{Time|2004}}
|Views = 5.96<ref name= "sbbc"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20051106172903/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2004/mar04/mar08/3_wed/news4wednesday.html/ ABC spike from King spooker 'Hospital']</ref>
|Desc = [[SpongeGar]], [[Patar]], and [[Squog]] discover [[fire]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = The Great Snail Race
|Date = {{Time|January 24}}, {{Time|2003}}
|Views = 4.10<ref name="ratings"/>
------------ 
2.72<ref name="banned"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20240425100817/https://www.ratingsryan.com/2022/08/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20030126.html Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending January 26, 2003]</ref><small>(HH)*</small>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} enters {{Link|Gary}} into a snail race against {{Link|Squidward}} and his new pet [[Snellie]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Mid-Life Crustacean
|Date = {{Time|January 24}}, {{Time|2003}}
|Views = 4.10<ref name="ratings"/>
------------ 
2.72<ref name="banned"/><small>(HH)*</small>
|Desc = {{Link|Mr. Krabs}} joins {{Link|SpongeBob}} and {{Link|Patrick}} for a night out in the town.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Born Again Krabs
|Date = {{Time|October 4}}, {{Time|2003}}
|Views = 3.60<ref name="ratings"/>
|Desc = {{Link|Mr. Krabs}} tries to sell a moldy [[Krabby Patty]] until he encounters the Flying Dutchman.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = I Had an Accident
|Date = {{Time|October 4}}, {{Time|2003}}
|Views = 3.60<ref name="ratings"/>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} refuses to go outside after breaking his butt while sandboarding.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Krabby Land
|Date = {{Time|April 3}}, {{Time|2004}}
|Views = 5.40<ref name="camping land"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20040409022843/http://tv.zap2it.com:80/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271%7C87384%7C1%7C,00.html/ Nickelodeon Slimes the Cable Ratings Competition]</ref> 
|Desc = {{Link|Mr. Krabs}} builds a [[Krabby Land (location)|junky playground]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = The Camping Episode
|Date = {{Time|April 3}}, {{Time|2004}}
|Views = 5.40<ref name="camping land"/>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}}, {{Link|Patrick}}, and {{Link|Squidward}} go camping.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Missing Identity
|Date = {{Time|January 19}}, {{Time|2004}}
|Views = 5.66<ref name= "plankton's identity"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20240413103057/https://www.ratingsryan.com/2020/07/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20040125.html Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending January 25, 2004]</ref>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} recalls a day where he loses his [[SpongeBob's name tag|name tag]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Plankton's Army
|Date = {{Time|January 19}}, {{Time|2004}}
|Views = 5.66<ref name= "plankton's identity"/> 
|Desc = {{Link|Plankton}} enlists the help of his hillbilly [[Plankton's cousins|cousins]] to steal the [[Krabby Patty]] [[Krabby Patty secret formula|formula]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = The Sponge Who Could Fly
|Date = {{Time|March 21}}, {{Time|2003}}
|Views = 7.64<ref name="ratings"/><ref>[https://go.gale.com/ps/retrieve.do?tabID=T003&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchResultsType=SingleTab&retrievalId=95a736bf-9b4a-4245-9729-88cb232fa114&hitCount=7091&searchType=BasicSearchForm&currentPosition=792&docId=GALE%7CA99986684&docType=Article&sort=Pub+Date+Forward+Chron&contentSegment=ZGPP-MOD1&prodId=ITOF&pageNum=40&contentSet=GALE%7CA99986684&searchId=R1&userGroupName=nysl_li_kmhs&inPS=true Fox takes first: news channel leads basic nets' surge. - Multichannel News]</ref>
------------ 
4.33<ref name="fly"> [https://web.archive.org/web/20240412234659/http://www.ratingsryan.com/2022/09/broadcast-cable-nielsens-20030323.html Broadcast & Cable Nielsens: Week Ending March 23, 2003]</ref><small>(HH)*</small>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} wishes he could fly with the [[jellyfish]].
}}
{{EpList
|Name = SpongeBob Meets the Strangler
|Date = {{Time|October 11}}, {{Time|2004}}
|Views = 4.61<ref name="strangler">{{cite web|url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2004/oct04/oct18/3_wed/news3wednesday.html|title=A win for the Red Sox, a big win for Fox|last=Vasquez|first=Diego|work=Media Life Magazine|date=October 20, 2004|access-date=April 17, 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405194909/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2004/oct04/oct18/3_wed/news3wednesday.html|archive-date=April 5, 2008}}</ref>
|Desc = A [[Tattletale Strangler|criminal]] attempts to get revenge on {{Link|SpongeBob}}.
}}
{{EpList
|Name = Pranks a Lot
|Date = {{Time|October 11}}, {{Time|2004}}
|Views = 4.61<ref name="strangler"/>
|Desc = {{Link|SpongeBob}} and {{Link|Patrick}} use [[Invisible Spray|invisibility spray]] to play pranks on the citizens of [[Bikini Bottom]].
}}
{{EpList/bottom}}
</onlyinclude>

''<small>*(HH) indicates the amount of '''households''' the episode was viewed in.</small>''

===Notes===
<references group="note" />

==Trivia==
*All episodes in this season were produced in 2001 and 2002, and most aired in 2002, due to production of ''The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie''. Some episodes were aired in 2003 and 2004, most notably in the United States. 
**Season 3 finished its run as early as October/November 2002 in countries like Canada and South Korea.
*This is the first for two things:
** The first season to not have a [[List of holiday specials|holiday]] special.
** The first full season to air in the third millennium and 21st century.
*This is the only season for three things:
**The only season where "[[Gator]]" does not play, until [[season 13]].
**The only season where "[[Hello Blues]]" does not play. It immediately played after this season, in the first episode of season 4 — "[[Fear of a Krabby Patty]]."
**The only season for which [[Sage Guyton]] and [[Jeremy Wakefield]] did not compose any tracks.
*"[[Just One Bite]]" and "[[The Bully]]" are the only episodes to premiere in 2001.
*This is the season that holds the record of most time cards entirely shown, having 23.
**This is also the season that has the episode with the most time cards shown, "Rock-a-Bye Bivalve," having 5.
*Multiple episodes from this season (specifically "[[SpongeGuard on Duty]]," "[[The Algae's Always Greener]]," "The Bully," "[[Club SpongeBob]]," "[[My Pretty Seahorse]]," and "Just One Bite") were originally produced for the [[Season 2|previous season]], but were later moved for unknown reasons.
*"[[Jellyfish Hunter]]," a season 2 episode, was originally produced for this season but was pushed up for unknown reasons.
*This season is tied with [[season 8]] for the least amount of [[List of title drops|title drops]].
*This is the only season that Kent Osborne, and Sam Henderson worked on as writers and storyboard directors.

==Videos==
<gallery widths="180" captionalign="center" position="center">
BEST of SpongeBob Season 3! - 60 Minute Compilation - SpongeBob
SpongeBob Season 3 Marathon 🧽 - 52 Minute Compilation - @SpongeBobOfficial
SpongeBob Season 3 Marathon 🧽 - 45 Minute Compilation - @SpongeBobOfficial
SpongeBob season 3 in 60 seconds 🍍 - -shorts
SpongeBob Season 3 Marathon 🧽 - 1 HOUR of the BEST EPISODES - @SpongeBobOfficial
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Wikipedia|SpongeBob SquarePants (season 3)}}
[[de:Staffel 3]]
[[es:Temporada 3]]
[[id:Daftar episode musim 3]]
[[pl:Sezon 3]]
[[pt-br:Lista dos Episodios da 3ª Temporada]]
[[ru:Третий сезон мультсериала «Губка Боб Квадратные Штаны»]]