History Trivia / SpongebobSquarePants

* FranchiseZombie: The show was supposed to end after the third season and TheMovie, but popular demand has kept it going since, even with creator Stephen Hillenburg being less involved with future seasons. Many complain over the supposed [[{{Flanderization}} deterioration of the main cast's personality traits]] and [[SeasonalRot the decline of writing quality/general aimlessness of the series these days]]; but, of course, if you asked any current young child (anybody born after 2004, when the Movie and the show were supposed to wrap it up), the series is absolutely fine enough to go on for many more years. And, of course, SpongeBob remains Nickelodeon's most popular cartoon, running over [[LongRunners 20 years straight now]] with that distinction. The show would eventually WinBackTheCrowd when Stephen Hillenburg returned to the show in 2015. [[OutlivedItsCreator After Hillenburg's death in 2018,]] Nickelodeon pursued an aggressive push towards the production of spin-off series The Patrick Star Show and Kamp Koral alongside the main show.

** Man Ray's first two appearances in ''"Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy III"'' and ''"Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy V"'' had him voiced by John Rhys-Davies. All of his subsequent appearances are voiced by Bob Joles.

** In ''"Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II"'' and ''Lights, Camera, Pants!'', the Dirty Bubble is voiced by Creator/CharlesNelsonReilly. After Reilly's death, Tom Kenny, who already filled in for Reilly in the episode "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy V", took over the role permanently in the Dirty Bubble's later appearances.

** Man Ray's first appearance in ''"Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy III"'' was voiced by John Rhys-Davies. All of his subsequent appearances are voiced by Bob Joles.

* PopCultureUrbanLegends:
** There was a rumor that the first airing of "I Was A Teenage Gary" had a scene that depicted Squidward transforming into a snail that was never shown again. Vincent Waller debunked the rumor, stating that the scene wasn't even storyboarded.
** Rumors exist that the original airing of "Hooky" featured a dead fish being strung up by his shoes. Vincent Waller (one of the storyboarders for the cartoon) debunked this rumor as well.
** There were rumors that there was a recurring background fish that had a visible penis in Season 1 that was digitally removed in reruns. It was in the [=SpongeBob=] radar page for awhile but there is currently no proof or viable sources that proves this claim. This rumor was possibly caused by an anchovy character who was drawn with a protruding belly button that did sort of resemble a penis, but this was almost certainly a case of UnfortunateCharacterDesign rather than a deliberate attempt at lewdness.
** A popular image macro that floated around the internet shows an alleged adult joke moment in "As Seen on TV" where [=SpongeBob=] is buried with his nose sticking out from the concrete with Mr. Krabs replying, "Please tell me that is your nose," while pointing at [=SpongeBob=]'s nose. The dialogue was never said in the episode.
** A rumor circulated for a long time that "Krusty Krab Training Video" ended without the BaitAndSwitch cutoff on its first few airings. However, as proven by tapings of its first airing, this is completely untrue, as the episode had the early cutoff on its premiere broadcast (plus it would kind of ruin the joke if it didn't).
** A rumor that Viacom once approached Stephen Hillenburg to make a HotterAndSexier version of the show for Creator/SpikeTV similar to ''WesternAnimation/RenAndStimpyAdultPartyCartoon'', with [=SpongeBob=] and Patrick reportedly supposed to be a gay couple in it, but was turned down by Stephen was once spread as fact (even on this very wiki) despite the rumors not being based on anything.
** The claim that "Reef Blower" was recorded silently because the audio equipment broke is false. The episode's storyboards are completely dialogue-free. Jay Lender, writer and storyboard artist in seasons 1-3, confirmed that [[https://twitter.com/JayLender1/status/1535261127549939712 "Reef Blower" was produced as an extension piece to "Help Wanted" so it could fill 11 minutes.]] Since they would still have to pay the actors a second "session" fee, it was cheaper to just have the episode be silent.
** A case where the urban legend can be traced back to Creator/TomKenny (who was likely mistaken or misinformed): the reason commonly given for changing the title character's name from Sponge''Boy'' to Sponge''Bob'' during preproduction is stated to have been that the name "[=SpongeBoy=]" was already in use as a mop. However, as delved into by [[https://youtu.be/qnKtglBqe78 this YouTube video]] by Kid Leaves Stoop, there was never a [=SpongeBoy=] mop. Instead, the name belonged to a ''pencil'', as well as a few other entities, such as a character in the ''ComicBook/FlamingCarrot'' comics.

** Several of the original voice actors from the Latin Venezuelan dubbing suffered from this. First, Creator/KaihiamalMartinez, who voiced [=SpongeBob=] in the first season before being replaced by Creator/LuisCarreno permanently from the second season, Paul Gillman, who voiced Patrick in the first three seasons and was replaced by Alfonso Soto since the first movie (as Gillman retired to focus more on his musical career), Luis Perez Pons, who voiced Mr. Krabs from the first to fifth season and was replaced by Carlos Vitale, who dubbed him from the sixth to ninth season. Pons eventually retook the role since the second movie. Oscar Zuloaga, who voiced Plankton in the first season and the first few episodes of the second season, being replaced by Luis Miguel Perez, who dubbed him from the second to ninth season. In one episode, he was replaced by Hector Indriago, due to Perez's temporary retirement from the dubbing. However, due to other commitments, Indriago was unable to record dialogues for the next episodes, so Angel Mujica was chosen as his replacement from the ninth season onwards. Mercedes Prato, who voiced Sandy in the first season, was replaced by Anabella Silva from the second to sixth season. Yaraiví Acevedo became a temporary replacement between the fourth and fifth seasons. Lileana Chacon became Sandy's regular voice from the sixth season onwards. The only exception is Renzo Jimenez, who has been dubbing Squidward from the very beginning. Other characters' actors were also repeatedly recast. Thus, making Pons and Jimenez the only original dubbing actors to keep their roles.

** Several of the original voice actors from the Latin Venezuelan dubbing suffered from this. First, Creator/KaihiamalMartinez, who voiced [=SpongeBob=] in the first season before being replaced by Creator/LuisCarreno permanently from the second season, Paul Gillman, who voiced Patrick in the first three seasons and was replaced by Alfonso Soto since the first movie, Luis Perez Pons, who voiced Mr. Krabs from the first to fifth season and was replaced by Carlos Vitale, who dubbed him from the sixth to ninth season. Pons eventually retook the role since the second movie. Oscar Zuloaga, who voiced Plankton in the first season and the first few episodes of the second season, being replaced by Luis Miguel Perez, who dubbed him from the second to ninth season. In one episode, he was replaced by Hector Indriago, due to Perez's temporary retirement from the dubbing. However, due to other commitments, Indriago was unable to record dialogues for the next episodes, so Angel Mujica was chosen as his replacement from the ninth season onwards. Mercedes Prato, who voiced Sandy in the first season, was replaced by Anabella Silva from the second to sixth season. Yaraiví Acevedo became a temporary replacement between the fourth and fifth seasons. Lileana Chacon became Sandy's regular voice from the sixth season onwards. The only exception is Renzo Jimenez, who has been dubbing Squidward from the very beginning. Other characters' actors were also repeatedly recast. Thus, making Pons and Jimenez the only original dubbing actors to keep their roles.

** Several of the original voice actors from the Latin Venezuelan dubbing suffered from this. First, Creator/KaihiamalMartinez, who voiced [=SpongeBob=] in the first season before being replaced by Creator/LuisCarreno permanently from the second season, Paul Gillman, who voiced Patrick in the first three seasons and was replaced by Alfonso Soto since the first movie, Luis Perez Pons, who voiced Mr. Krabs from the first to fifth season and was replaced by Carlos Vitale, who dubbed him from the sixth to ninth season. Pons eventually retook the role since the second movie. Oscar Zuloaga, who voiced Plankton in the first season and the first few episodes of the second season, being replaced by Luis Miguel Perez, who dubbed him from the second to ninth season. In one episode, he was replaced by Hector Indriago, due to Perez's temporary retirement from the dubbing. However, for unknown reasons, Angel Mujica was chosen to voice Plankton from the ninth season onwards. Mercedes Prato, who voiced Sandy in the first season, was replaced by Anabella Silva from the second to sixth season. Yaraiví Acevedo became a temporary replacement between the fourth and fifth seasons. Lileana Chacon became Sandy's regular voice from the sixth season onwards. The only exception is Renzo Jimenez, who has been dubbing Squidward from the very beginning. Other characters' actors were also repeatedly recast. Thus, making Pons and Jimenez the only original dubbing actors to keep their roles.

** Several of the original voice actors from the Latin Venezuelan dubbing suffered from this. First, Creator/KaihiamalMartinez, who voiced [=SpongeBob=] in the first season before being replaced by Creator/LuisCarreno permanently from the second season, Paul Gillman, who voiced Patrick in the first three seasons and was replaced by Alfonso Soto since the first movie, Luis Perez Pons, who voiced Mr. Krabs from the first to fifth season and was replaced by Carlos Vitale, who dubbed him from the sixth to ninth season. Pons eventually retook the role since the second movie. Oscar Zuloaga, who voiced Plankton in the first season and the first few episodes of the second season, being replaced by Luis Miguel Perez, who dubbed him from the second to ninth season. In one episode, he was replaced by Hector Indriago, due to Perez's temporary retirement from the dubbing. However, for unknown reasons, Angel Mujica was chosen to voice Plankton from the ninth season onwards. Mercedes Prato, who voiced Sandy in the first season, was replaced by Anabella Silva from the second to sixth season. Yaraiví Acevedo became a temporary replacement between the fourth and fifth seasons. Lileana Chacon became Sandy's regular voice from the sixth season onwards.

** In the French dub, Erik Colin (Patrick, the Narrator, and the Flying Dutchman) died in December 2014. Patrick is now voiced by Creator/BorisRehlinger, and the Dutchman is now voiced by Paul Borne.

* TheWikiRule: [[http://spongebob.fandom.com/wiki/Encyclopedia_SpongeBobia Encyclopedia SpongeBobia]] and [[https://spongebobwiki.org/wiki/Main_Page SpongeBob Wiki]]

* TropeNamer:
** CampingEpisode
** IveHeardOfThatWhatIsIt
** NoMatterHowMuchIBeg
** NoMeansYes

** "Mid-Life Crustacean" was deleted from Paramount Plus and digital retail outlets, reportedly due to the panty raid scene being viewed as inappropriate for children. Digital retail outlets would subsequently bundle its paired episode "The Great Snail Race" with "Gary In Love". However, it can still be bought on [=YouTube=] and [=iTunes=] (albeit only as part of the "From The Beginning Part 2 collection" on the latter), but in its pre-remastered quality. However, in July 2023, [[https://twitter.com/JasonSt77097165/status/1680715057901228032?s=20it was brought back to Prime Video via Paramount Plus,]] at least in the U.S.

** Ever wonder why Mr. Krabs sounds weird when he sings in "Welcome to the Chum Bucket"? It's because that's Creator/DeeBradleyBaker singing, not Creator/ClancyBrown (who does his own singing in all other episodes).
** Baker also subbed for Brown for the "Very first Christmas to me!" lines in "Christmas Who", since Clancy was unable to hit the high notes needed. Clancy did do his own singing for Krabs in the rest of the song, though.

** "Mid-Life Crustacean" was deleted from Paramount Plus and digital retail outlets, reportedly due to the panty raid scene being viewed as inappropriate for children. Digital retail outlets would subsequently bundle its paired episode "The Great Snail Race" with "Gary In Love". However, it can still be bought on [=YouTube=] and [=iTunes=] (albeit only as part of the "From The Beginning Part 2 collection" on the latter), but in its pre-remastered quality.

* QuarterHourShort: First introduced with "Shanghaied/Gary Takes a Bath", it became the norm for episodes to premiere one segment at a time instead of all together, starting with "Selling Out/Funny Pants" in Season 4.

* ScrewedByTheLawyers: Due to issues with certain musicians leaving APM (the company that [=SpongeBob=] gets its stock music cues from) over time, there are several music cues in the older episodes that can't be used in any newer episodes (such as Oyster Girls).

** "Mid-Life Crustacean" was deleted from Paramount Plus and digital retail outlets, reportedly due to the panty raid scene being viewed as inappropriate for children. Digital retail outlets would subsequently bundle its paired episode "The Great Snail Race" with "Gary In Love". However, it can still be bought on YouTube and iTunes(albeit only as part of the "From The Beginning Part 2 collection" on the latter), but in its pre-remastered quality.

** Stephen Hillenburg has made it perfectly clear that [=SpongeBob=] [[UsefulNotes/{{Asexuality}} does not feel sexual attraction]].

* WordOfGay: While [=SpongeBob=] has been thought of as AmbiguouslyGay or AmbiguouslyBi by for quite some time, Nickelodeon never actually confirmed his orientation in the show. During 2020's Pride Month, [[https://twitter.com/Nickelodeon/status/1271795092391682048 they included him with a list of LGBTQ+ characters]] without fully specifying where he fell on the spectrum. (As mentioned below, Hillenburg saw [=SpongeBob=] as being Asexual, a category that is occasionally included in the LGBTQ+ acronym.)

** "Living In The Sunlight" has had a surge in popularity after it was featured in the pilot episode.

** In the Serbian dub, [=SpongeBob=], Mr. Krabs and all female characters are voiced by Vladislava Đorđević. The episode "The Slumber Party" is consequently an entire episode of Vladislava talking to herself.

* ExiledFromContinuity: [[https://mobile.twitter.com/VincentWaller72/status/1241515965210222593 According to Vincent Waller]], there was a firewall between content created for the first [=SpongeBob=] film and content made for the show, hence why the movie's version of King Neptune and other characters created for it don't pop up in the show. Even images of Goofy Goober and the restaurants exterior were barred from being used, though mentions of him were still okay. This lasted up until season 10, with Goofy Goober's restaurant appearing several times and Princess Mindy making a voiceless {{cameo}} in "[=SpongeBob's=] Big Birthday Blowout".

* CreatorsFavorite: Pearl was Stephen Hillenburg's favorite character. She was inspired by his time as a whale watch instructor at the Ocean Institute. Whenever Steve visited the writers' room, he would try to suggest stories with her. He also liked Mrs. Puff and [=SpongeBob=], of course. His history as a marine science educator made him partial to Mrs. Puff as a teacher, and [=SpongeBob=]'s nerdy appearance was partially based on his younger self (down to the square front teeth).

* IronyAsSheIsCast: Music/DavidBowie as Lord Royal Highness in Atlantis [=SquarePantis=]. He's the only character that doesn't have his own musical number in that episode.