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Season 1

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This is the page about the first season of the main series. For other uses, see Season 1 (disambiguation).

The first season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants was created by former marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg.

The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The show features the voices of Tom Kenny as SpongeBob SquarePants and Gary, Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick, Rodger Bumpass as Squidward, Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs, Mr. Lawrence as Plankton, Jill Talley as Karen, Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy, Mary Jo Catlett as Mrs. Puff, and Lori Alan as Pearl. Among the first guest stars to appear on the show were Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway voicing the superhero characters of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy, respectively.

Season 1 premiered on May 1, 1999 with "Help Wanted," "Reef Blower," and "Tea at the Treedome" and ended on March 3, 2001 with "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II."

Several compilation DVDs that contained episodes from the first season were released. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete 1st Season DVD was released in Region 1 on October 28, 2003, Region 2 on November 7, 2005, and Region 4 on November 30, 2006. The DVD was re-released in slim packaging as The Complete First Season on November 13, 2012. The pilot episode "Help Wanted" was not included on the DVD due to copyright issues with Tiny Tim's song "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight," but was later released as a bonus feature on various series DVDs, including that of the third season.[1] The season received positive reviews from media critics upon release.

Development

Creator Stephen Hillenburg initially conceived SpongeBob SquarePants in 1984, while he was teaching and studying marine biology at the Orange County Marine Institute in Southern California (now called the Ocean Institute).[2]

While Stephen Hillenburg was there, his love of the ocean began to influence his artistry. He created a precursor to SpongeBob SquarePants: a comic book titled The Intertidal Zone used by the institute to teach visiting students about the animal life of tide pools. The comic starred various anthropomorphic sea lifeforms, many of which would evolve into SpongeBob SquarePants characters.[3] Stephen Hillenburg tried to get the comic professionally published, but none of the companies he sent it to were interested. In 1987, Stephen Hillenburg left the institute to pursue his dream of becoming an animator. In 1992, Stephen Hillenburg began to attend the California Institute of the Arts to study animation, having been accepted into the institute by Jules Engel, who was impressed with Hillenburg's previous work.[4][5]

During his time at the California Institute of the Arts, he made his thesis film entitled Wormholes, which was funded by the Princess Grace Foundation and was later displayed at various animation festivals.[6] In 1992, Joe Murray, who had just sold his show Rocko's Modern Life to Nickelodeon, met Stephen Hillenburg at an animation festival, and offered him a job as a director of the series.[7][8][9]

By the time Rocko's Modern Life concluded in 1996, Hillenburg had risen to the rank of creative director and showrunner following Murray's departure from the show.[10] Shortly following this, Hillenburg began developing SpongeBob SquarePants, using The Intertidal Zone as basis for the show following a discussion with Rocko's Modern Life writer Martin Olson, and worked with several Nickelodeon veterans and Rocko crew members,[11] including creative director Derek Drymon, writers and directors Sherm Cohen and Dan Povenmire,[12] writer Tim Hill, Martin Olson, animation director Alan Smart, and story editor Merriwether Williams.[13] To voice the character of SpongeBob, Hillenburg approached Tom Kenny, who had worked with him on Rocko's Modern Life. Originally, Hillenburg wanted to use the name SpongeBoy—the character had no last name—and the series would have been called SpongeBoy Ahoy! However, the Nickelodeon legal department discovered that the name SpongeBoy was already in use for an art themed pencil product.[14][15] A character named SpongeBoy in Flaming Carrot Comics was also believed to be a reason for the name change. This was discovered after voice acting for the original seven-minute pilot was recorded in 1997.[16] By September 1997, upon finding this out, Hillenburg decided that the character's given name still had to contain "Sponge" so viewers would not mistake the character for a "Cheese Man." Hillenburg decided to use the name "SpongeBob." He chose "SquarePants" as a family name as it referred to the character's square shape and it had a "nice ring to it."[8]

The series was announced on December 8, 1998, with thirteen episodes being planned for the first season.[17] Initially, the show was set following a post-apocalyptic war that ravaged Earth, with Bikini Bottom being the only surviving place from said war.[18] Although, this concept was later scrapped during Season 1 development.

List of episodes

Title card # Title U.S. airdate U.S. viewers
(millions)
File:Help Wanted title card.jpg
 1a "Help Wanted" (tr • ga) May 1, 1999
2.96[19]
2.14[20](HH)*
SpongeBob applies for a job at the Krusty Krab.
File:Reef Blower title card.png
 1b "Reef Blower" (tr • ga) May 1, 1999
2.96[19]
2.14[20](HH)*
SpongeBob attempts to move a shell off of his lawn with a reef blower.
File:Tea at the Treedome title card.png
 1c "Tea at the Treedome" (tr • ga) May 1, 1999
2.96[19]
2.14[20](HH)*
SpongeBob meets Sandy Cheeks and struggles to breathe in her treedome.
File:Bubblestand title card.png
 2a "Bubblestand" (tr • ga) July 17, 1999
2.51[19]
1.9[21](2-11)**
SpongeBob starts a bubblestand.
File:Ripped Pants title card.png
 2b "Ripped Pants" (tr • ga) July 17, 1999
2.51[19]
1.9[21](2-11)**
SpongeBob jokes about ripping his pants.
File:Jellyfishing title card.png
 3a "Jellyfishing" (tr • ga) July 31, 1999
2.89[19]
2.24[22](HH)*
SpongeBob and Patrick take Squidward jellyfishing.
File:Plankton! title card.png
 3b "Plankton!" (tr • ga) July 31, 1999
2.89[19]
2.24[22](HH)*
SpongeBob is introduced to Mr. Krabs' business rival, Plankton.
File:Naughty Nautical Neighbors title card.png
 4a "Naughty Nautical Neighbors" (tr • ga) August 7, 1999
2.83[19]
2.07[23](HH)*
Squidward destroys SpongeBob and Patrick's friendship.
File:Boating School title card.png
 4b "Boating School" (tr • ga) August 7, 1999
2.83[19]
2.07[23](HH)*
Patrick attempts to help SpongeBob pass his driving exam.
File:Pizza Delivery title card.png
 5a "Pizza Delivery" (tr • ga) August 14, 1999
2.47[19]
1.62[24](2-11)**
SpongeBob and Squidward deliver a Krusty Krab Pizza.
File:Home Sweet Pineapple title card.jpg
 5b "Home Sweet Pineapple" (tr • ga) August 14, 1999
2.47[19]
1.62[24](2-11)**
SpongeBob's pineapple is consumed by nematodes.
File:Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy title card.jpg
 6a "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy" (tr • ga) August 21, 1999
2.94[19]
2.17[25](HH)*
SpongeBob and Patrick try to convince their heroes to come out of retirement.
File:Pickles title card.jpg
 6b "Pickles" (tr • ga) August 21, 1999
2.94[19]
2.17[25](HH)*
SpongeBob loses his confidence after forgetting to put the pickles on a Krabby Patty.
File:Hall Monitor title card.jpg
 7a "Hall Monitor" (tr • ga) August 28, 1999
3.08[19]
2.12[26](HH)*
SpongeBob takes his role as the hall monitor of Mrs. Puff's Boating School too far.
File:Jellyfish Jam title card.jpg
 7b "Jellyfish Jam" (tr • ga) August 28, 1999
3.08[19]
2.12[26](HH)*
SpongeBob brings home a jellyfish, creating chaos.
File:Sandy's Rocket title card.jpg
 8a "Sandy's Rocket" (tr • ga) September 17, 1999
2.40[19]
SpongeBob and Patrick sneak onto Sandy's rocket ship.
File:Squeaky Boots title card.png
 8b "Squeaky Boots" (tr • ga) September 17, 1999
2.40[19]
SpongeBob buys boots from Mr. Krabs, which causes an annoying squeaky sound.
File:Nature Pants title card.png
 9a "Nature Pants" (tr • ga) September 11, 1999
2.54[19]
SpongeBob gives up a modern life to live with the jellyfish.
File:Opposite Day title card.png
 9b "Opposite Day" (tr • ga) September 11, 1999
2.54[19]
Squidward tells SpongeBob and Patrick that it is Opposite Day.
File:Culture Shock title card.jpg
 10a "Culture Shock" (tr • ga) September 18, 1999
2.41[19]
Squidward hosts a talent show at the Krusty Krab.
File:F.U.N. title card.jpg
 10b "F.U.N." (tr • ga) September 18, 1999
2.41[19]
SpongeBob befriends Plankton because he thinks he is lonely.
File:MuscleBob BuffPants title card.png
 11a "MuscleBob BuffPants" (tr • ga) October 2, 1999
2.61[19]
SpongeBob orders fake arms with inflatable muscles to impress Sandy.
File:Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost title card.png
 11b "Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost" (tr • ga) October 2, 1999
2.61[19]
Squidward pretends to be a ghost after SpongeBob and Patrick think he is dead.
File:The Chaperone title card.png
 12a "The Chaperone" (tr • ga) March 8, 2000
3.23[19]
SpongeBob takes Pearl to the prom.
File:Employee of the Month title card.jpg
 12b "Employee of the Month" (tr • ga) March 8, 2000
3.23[19]
SpongeBob and Squidward compete for the Employee of the Month award.
File:Scaredy Pants title card.png
 13a "Scaredy Pants" (tr • ga) October 28, 1999
2.68[19]
SpongeBob becomes a ghost for Halloween.
File:I Was a Teenage Gary title card.jpg
 13b "I Was a Teenage Gary" (tr • ga) October 28, 1999
2.68[19]
SpongeBob leaves Gary in the care of Squidward.
File:SB-129 title card.png
 14a "SB-129" (tr • ga) December 31, 1999
1.52[19]
1.02[19](HH)*
Squidward accidentally freezes himself to the future.
File:Karate Choppers title card.jpg
 14b "Karate Choppers" (tr • ga) December 31, 1999
1.52[19]
1.02[19](HH)*
SpongeBob and Sandy's karate disturbs the Krusty Krab.
File:Sleepy Time title card.png
 15a "Sleepy Time" (tr • ga) January 17, 2000
2.89[19]
SpongeBob visits the dreams of others.
File:Suds title card.png
 15b "Suds" (tr • ga) January 17, 2000
2.89[19]
SpongeBob catches the "suds" after leaving his refrigerator open.
File:Valentine's Day title card.png
 16a "Valentine's Day" (tr • ga) February 14, 2000
2.75[19]
SpongeBob and Sandy try to give Patrick a Valentine's Day gift at the carnival, but troubles arise when the gift is delayed.
File:The Paper title card.png
 16b "The Paper" (tr • ga) February 14, 2000
2.75[19]
SpongeBob plays with Squidward's bubble gum wrapper.
File:Arrgh! title card.jpg
 17a "Arrgh!" (tr • ga) March 15, 2000
3.08[19]
2.14[27](HH)*
Mr. Krabs takes SpongeBob and Patrick on a treasure hunt.
File:Rock Bottom title card.png
 17b "Rock Bottom" (tr • ga) March 15, 2000
3.08[19]
2.14[27](HH)*
SpongeBob gets stuck in Rock Bottom after taking the wrong bus home.
File:Texas title card.png
 18a "Texas" (tr • ga) March 22, 2000
3.10[19]
2.11[28](HH)*
Sandy feels homesick and wants to return to Texas, and SpongeBob and Patrick want to cheer her up.
File:Walking Small title card.png
 18b "Walking Small" (tr • ga) March 22, 2000
3.10[19]
2.11[28](HH)*
Plankton tricks SpongeBob into becoming assertive.
File:Fools in April title card.png
 19a "Fools in April" (tr • ga) April 1, 2000
1.78[19]
Fed up over SpongeBob's liking of April Fools' day, Squidward decides to play a nasty prank on him.
File:Neptune's Spatula title card.png
 19b "Neptune's Spatula" (tr • ga) April 1, 2000
1.78[19]
SpongeBob must prove to King Neptune that he is royal fry cook material.
File:Hooky title card.png
 20a "Hooky" (tr • ga) February 23, 2001
2.17[19]
SpongeBob and Patrick play with fishing hooks.
File:Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II title card.png
 20b "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II" (tr • ga) March 3, 2001
2.54[19]
SpongeBob spends a day on the town with his heroes.



(HH)* indicates the amount of households the episode was viewed in.

**(2-11) indicates the amount of children aged 2-11 who watched the episode.

Trivia

  • In 1999, Nickelodeon released a press statement summarizing the first four episodes. At the time, these episodes were planned to be released in production order: "Help Wanted," "Tea at the Treedome," "Squeaky Boots," and "Jellyfishing." Sometime in April 1999, Nickelodeon decided to air the episodes in a different order instead, called the "packaging order." This order does not relate to production or airing order, and it most notably moved "Squeaky Boots" (the third produced segment overall) to episode 8b, much later than it was produced.
  • This is the only season to use traditional cel animation instead of digital ink-and-paint animation. The show would not fully implement the technology until season 2.
    • A few scenes in this season use digital animation (such as SpongeBob's house bouncing in the episode "Jellyfish Jam") but it doesn't appear too often.
  • "Hooky" and "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II" are the only episodes from this season to premiere in 2001, as well as the 21st century, and the third millennium. In addition, they are also the only episodes from the season to overlap with the following season. Despite that, these episodes premiered in 2000 in other regions like Australia, Canada, and Latin America.
  • This is one of three seasons to not feature any double-length episodes, with the other two seasons being season 10 and season 15.
  • While the first two time cards appeared in "I Was a Teenage Gary" and "SB-129," this season has the least amount of time cards, having 2.
  • This is the only season to conclude with a Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy episode.
  • This is the only season that Steve Fonti and Peter Burns worked on.

Videos

References

  1. ↑ The Oral History of SpongeBob SquarePants | Hogan's Alley
  2. ↑ SpongeBob Exposed! The Insider's Guide to SpongeBob SquarePants pages 8-9
  3. ↑ SpongeBob Exposed! The Insider's Guide to SpongeBob SquarePants page 9
  4. ↑ SpongeBob Exposed! The Insider's Guide to SpongeBob SquarePants page 9
  5. ↑ The Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants
  6. ↑ The Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants
  7. ↑ The Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Makin' toons : inside the most popular animated TV shows and movies page 50
  9. ↑ The Rocko's Modern Life FAQ
  10. ↑ Joe Murray Studio - Television: ROCKO'S MODERN LIFE
  11. ↑ The Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants
  12. ↑ Disney animator sees summers in Mobile as inspiration - AL.com
  13. ↑ SpongeBob Exposed! The Insider's Guide to SpongeBob SquarePants page 10
  14. ↑ Kid Leaves Stoop (September 7, 2022). The SpongeBoy Mop Doesn't Exist. Retrieved on December 6, 2022.
  15. ↑ SpongeBob Exposed! The Insider's Guide to SpongeBob SquarePants page 31
  16. ↑ Tom Kenny Interview (December 5, 2006) - The People Speak Radio
  17. ↑ [1]
  18. ↑ https://screenrant.com/spongebob-squarepants-theory-bikini-bottom-origin-atomic-test-confirmed/
  19. ↑ 19.00 19.01 19.02 19.03 19.04 19.05 19.06 19.07 19.08 19.09 19.10 19.11 19.12 19.13 19.14 19.15 19.16 19.17 19.18 19.19 19.20 19.21 19.22 19.23 19.24 19.25 19.26 19.27 19.28 19.29 19.30 19.31 19.32 19.33 19.34 19.35 19.36 19.37 19.38 19.39 19.40 19.41 19.42 Friends (NBC): Ratings Recap
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 Broadcasting & Cable: Cable's Top 25 (p. 26) - May 10, 1999
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "SpongeBob" beats "Pokemon" with kids 2-11
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Broadcasting and Cable: Cable's Top 25 (p. 29) - August 9, 1999
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Broadcasting and Cable: Cable's Top 25 (p. 38) - August 16, 1999
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 average number of pokemon 8/24/99 - Newspaper.com
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Broadcasting and Cable: Cable's Top 25 (p. 38) - August 30, 1999
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Broadcasting and Cable: Cable's Top 25 (p. 48) - September 6, 1999
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Broadcasting and Cable: Cable's Top 25 (p. 50) - March 27, 2000
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Broadcasting and Cable: Cable's Top 25 (p. 34) - April 3, 2000
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