SpongeTom ShortPants
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— SpongeTom ShortPants
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SpongeTom ShortPants is a sea sponge who appears in the episodes "Broken Alarm," "Spatula of the Heavens," and "Bizarro Bottom."
Description
He is a sponge whose appearance is very similar to SpongeBob's. However, compared to SpongeBob, the top of his head protrudes from the rest of his body. His eyes and nose are located on said protrusion; in addition to this, his teeth are larger and his pores are in different spots. His pants and shoes are identical to SpongeBob's, although he wears a bow tie instead of a necktie, and his socks only have one blue stripe each. He also appears to have a more faded color scheme.
Role in series
"Broken Alarm"
During the period of time where SpongeBob was incapable of getting to work on time due to his malfunctioning alarm clocks, SpongeTom filled in his position as fry cook. However, when an assisted SpongeBob eventually shows up to work on time, Mr. Krabs says that he no longer needs SpongeTom, leading the latter to get mad and walk away after throwing his spatula on the ground.
"Spatula of the Heavens"
After SpongeBob breaks his spatula, Mr. Krabs threatens to let SpongeTom take his job if he doesn't fix his spatula. At the end of the episode, Mr. Krabs almost gives SpongeTom SpongeBob's job, but before he can, SpongeBob falls through the roof with a fixed spatula, crushing SpongeTom with debris.
"Bizarro Bottom"
SpongeTom's home life is revealed in this episode at the beginning and end. He is shown to be a well-mannered, careful, and kind gentleman who gets along well with his fellow fishfolk. He works at The Krunchy Krab where he is a taquero, and is treated with respect by Octward and Mr. Claws. SpongeTom and SpongeBob meet after the latter finds himself in Tankini Top, convinced that Bikini Bottom had been overrun by weirdos. After SpongeBob falls unconscious after running into the town sign, SpongeTom and his parents agree to drop him off at the next bus with a free lunch.
Trivia
- He is similar to the drifter and Girly Teengirl in that both characters look like SpongeBob, but are not related to him.
- He is, however, the first to not be mistaken for SpongeBob in disguise.
- Also unlike the drifter and Girly Teengirl, he made more than one appearance on the show.
- His name may be derived from his voice actor, Tom Kenny.
- SpongeTom's Krusty Krab employee hat is slightly different from the regular one, the anchor symbol is upside down and the top is bulbous. In Bizarro Bottom, it is revealed to be the employee hat of The Krunchy Krab.
- In the Finnish dub, his name is changed to be a parody of Finnish politician Paavo Väyrynen.[citation needed]