[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/fools_in_april_133.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:[[DudeNotFunny "April Fools, you little sausage!"]][[note]]"April Fools, jerk."[[/note]]]]

'''Fools in April'''

'''Original air date:''' 4/1/2000 ''(produced in 1999)''

AprilFoolsDay is [=SpongeBob's=] favorite holiday -- and Squidward's worst nightmare! But when Squidward tries to turn the tables on [=SpongeBob=] and plays a trick on him, it all goes horribly wrong.
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!!"Fools in April" contains examples of:
* ActuallyPrettyFunny: The customer [=SpongeBob=] pranks gets upset when he thinks [=SpongeBob=] did something with his drink. When [=SpongeBob=] tells him he just put one ice cube in instead of two, the customer is relieved and admits it was pretty funny.
* AnimateBodyParts: [=SpongeBob's=] tongue detaches from his body and starts laughing with him. [=SpongeBob=] even pranks it.
* AprilFoolsPlot: With April Fools Day being [=SpongeBob's=] favourite holiday, he spends most of the episode playing harmless pranks on people ([[SelfDeprecation including himself at one point]]). Squidward then plays a prank on [=SpongeBob=] in return, but takes it too far.
* ArtisticLicenseAnimalCare: Subverted- While [=SpongeBob=] is pulling his first prank on Gary in thinking they're moving, he gives him scalloped clam shells and adds salt to them. Salt is extremely dangerous to snails in real life as it could kill them in an instant; Gary started crying when [=SpongeBob=] added the salt, likely alerting this.
* AssholeVictim: Bubble Bass. He clearly didn't appreciate having [=SpongeBob=] slammed into his butt. Although, considering how much of a {{Jerkass}} he is, it's no mystery why he doesn't get any sympathy both in-universe and from viewers.
* BlackComedy: InUniverse. Squidward's idea of a great prank involves [=SpongeBob=] getting hurt in sadistic and creative ways. When his RubeGoldbergDevice goes off and [=SpongeBob=] is thrown all over the restaurant, Squidward is in stitches. However, he did not anticipate that [=SpongeBob=] would take it personally, or that nobody else would find it funny. He comes to this conclusion himself when looking at the damage of his prank.
-->'''Squidward:''' Why is it whenever ''I'm'' having fun, it's ''wrong''?
* BreakTheCutie: Squidward does this to [=SpongeBob=] with his prank, but soon realizes that he went too far.
* BystanderSyndrome: Inverted since [=SpongeBob=] was tied up and was in the air. The customers didn’t know about the prank and couldn’t really do anything but stare in horror of what happening to [=SpongeBob=].
* TheCameo: Bubble Bass was unwittingly used as a part of Squidward's prank, and wouldn't reappear on the show until Season 8.
* CannotSpitItOut: Squidward has a hard time apologizing to [=SpongeBob=] because 1). he's not a very nice person, and 2). he hates [=SpongeBob=] more than anything else. After several unsuccessful attempts to apologize, Squidward says his apology with his head in a bubble. Of course, it's too muffled for [=SpongeBob=] to even hear, but Squidward insists that his conscience is clear regardless. It isn't until he remembers his ''own'' shaming that he finally gives [=SpongeBob=] a proper apology.
* DelayedOhCrap: Squidward questions as to why [=SpongeBob=] is happy on April 1st, only to quickly realize it's also April Fools Day.
* DisproportionateRetribution: Upon being receiving a prank call from [=SpongeBob=] and Krabs, Squidward attempts to quit his job, only for [=SpongeBob=] to convince him otherwise by assuring that he won't play any more pranks on him again. [=SpongeBob=] keeps his word as he plays a series of playful and harmless pranks on other people while leaving Squidward alone, but Squidward cannot stand the laughter and plays one on [=SpongeBob=] that consists of putting him through a RubeGoldbergDevice designed to injure and humiliate him.
* DudeNotFunny: The Bikini Bottomites give Squidward this reaction to his elaborate and cruel prank on [=SpongeBob=].
* EarlyInstallmentCharacterDesignDifference: Squidward's mother looks very different to how she would appear in seasons four to twelve. Her hairstyle is different, her hair color is white rather than light purple, she has lipstick and eyelashes and no wrinkles on her face.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Squidward has a painting of another Octopus, an elderly looking one in a sailor's uniform (possibly meant to be a relative of some kind). Later episodes would usually only have Squidward have paintings of himself.
* EvenBadMenLoveTheirMamas: What finally causes Squidward to apologize to [=SpongeBob=] is an ImagineSpot of his own mother telling him "You stink!"
* EvilCannotComprehendGood: Downplayed and played with. Squidward is genuinely confused and dismayed that no one else found his prank funny because he thought it was hilarious... at first. But when he actually looks around at the damage to the restaurant and realizes that his prank was cruel and meant to hurt and humiliate [=SpongeBob=] so that ''he'' could laugh at him, whereas [=Spongebob's=] were harmless, funny and meant to make ''other people'' laugh. Once the difference sinks in, he goes through such a JerkassRealization that even he couldn't find the prank funny anymore.
* ExactWords: [=SpongeBob=] pranks a customer by putting one ice cube on his drink, when he ordered ''a couple of ice cubes''.
* GaggingOnYourWords: Every time Squidward tries to say "I'm Sorry" to [=SpongeBob=], he ends up making some bizarre noise instead.
* InconsistentColoring: Bubble Bass is purple in this episode for some reason, as opposed to being olive green everywhere else.
* ImpactSilhouette: [=SpongeBob=] leaves a himself-shaped mark on the wall of the Krusty Krab at one point during Squidward's prank. The self shaped marks helped Squidward realized his how awful his prank truly was.
* JustJokingJustification:
** Squidward tries to use this after his brutal prank drives [=SpongeBob=] tearfully out of the Krusty Krab, but nobody is convinced.
** After learning that everyone was listening to his apology to [=SpongeBob=] as their own April Fools joke, he's simply left LaughingMad and claims in his insanity that he was joking too.
--->'''Squidward:''' ...April Fools! You're right! APRIL FOOLS! I JUST FOOLED YOU ALL! ''(runs home laughing)''\\
'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' What would we do without Squidward?
* LookBehindYou: [=SpongeBob=] pranks a customer by shouting, "Hey! What's that?", followed by turning around to show a smiley face painted on his back.
* MetaphoricMetamorphosis: One of Squidward's failed attempts to apologize to [=SpongeBob=] has him braying as his head morphs into that of a donkey -- in other words, he feels like a jackass.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Squidward after he [[JerkassRealization realizes just how mean his prank on SpongeBob was]].
* NoodleIncident: [=SpongeBob=] asks if Squidward's apology is true, "even the part about the lima beans and the car chase". Subverted in that it was another April Fools prank.
* ObliviousGuiltSlinging: Patrick tells Squidward that [=SpongeBob=] is in his house feeling "impressed" (instead of ''depressed'') and remarks "it must've been pretty good to make him cry like that." Needless to say, this makes Squidward feel even more guilty.
* OhCrap: When [=SpongeBob=] declares "April Fools!" after Tom has finished his drink, Tom immediately goes into a panic, thinking [=SpongeBob=] spiked his drink.
-->'''Tom:''' ''WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY DRINK?!''
** Luckily, [=SpongeBob=] assures him he asked [[ExactWords for a couple of ice cubes, but he only gave him one]]; it was all [[EveryoneHasStandards just a harmless prank for April Fools Day]]. Realizing this, Tom calms down and happily admits that it was ActuallyPrettyFunny.
* PrankGoneTooFar: The page image. The prank Squidward pulled on [=SpongeBob=] left him physically harmed and humiliated. The Bikini Bottomites are rightfully appalled by this, and even Squidward himself realizes that was uncalled for.
* PrankingMontage: The first half of the episode has [=SpongeBob=] pull April Fool's pranks on everyone. Fortunately, the pranks that [=SpongeBob=] pulled off are harmless and no one seemed to bear any ill will towards him for this; they even considered the pranks to be quite funny, though Squidward doesn't seem to understand it that way.
* ShamedByAMob: The Bikini Bottomites express their disgust toward Squidward's rotten prank on [=SpongeBob=].
-->'''Customer# 1:''' Aww, man..... poor kid.\\
'''Customer# 2:''' ''(about Squidward)'' That guy has definitely got some issues to work out.\\
''(all the customers leave in disgust)''\\
'''Customer# 3:''' ''(disgusted towards Squidward)'' April Fools, jerk!\\
'''Squidward''': Wait, don't go!\\
'''Customer #4''': Hey, you STINK!!!
* ShoutOut: Squidward is physically incapable of saying the word "sorry" in the same way that [[Series/HappyDays the Fonz is physically incapable of saying "wrong"]].
* StressInducedMentalVoices: Squidward hears the voices of those who criticized him for his prank while trying to walk away from apologizing to [=SpongeBob=].
* TamperingWithFoodAndDrink: Subverted. A customer believes [=SpongeBob=] did something to his drink after he yells "April Fools", but laughs it off when [=SpongeBob=] explains that all he did was give him only one ice cube instead of a couple like he asked for.
* TemptingFate: After Squidward's insincere apology, he insists his conscience is now clear. Cue the StressInducedMentalVoices.
* TheUnapologetic: Played with. Squidward ''does'' feel guilty about his cruel prank, and ''wants'' to apologize to [=SpongeBob=] for it, but his personal disdain for [=SpongeBob=] makes it hard for him to do so.
-->'''Squidward:''' ''(seeing that his disdain towards [=SpongeBob=] is making it difficult for a decent apology)'' This... is gonna be tougher than I thought.
* UngratefulBastard: After Squidward threatens to quit work because of [=SpongeBob=]'s prank on him, [=SpongeBob=] promises to not play any more pranks on him for the day, and [[IGaveMyWord true to his word]], [=SpongeBob=] upholds his promise and only plays pranks on other people. However, Squidward is annoyed by how loud [=SpongeBob=] is with his pranks and decides to get revenge on him in spite of [=SpongeBob=] upholding his end of the bargain.
* VocalDissonance:
** The deep voice that shouts "You stink!" to Squidward turns out to be his own mother.
** "This is an ''extreme'' thirst!"
* WhatTheHellHero: The customers become angry with Squidward and call him out for making [=SpongeBob=] cry with his mean prank. "April fools, jerk" indeed.
* WhoopeeCushion: [=SpongeBob=] puts one on Mr. Krabs' chair.
* YourHeadASplode: One of Squidward's many failed attempts to apologize to [=SpongeBob=] causes his head to explode.
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[[caption-width-right:350:And thus was crowned [[Myth/ArthurianLegend King SpongeBob of Atlantis]].]]

'''Neptune's Spatula'''

'''Original air date:''' 4/1/2000 ''(produced in 1999)''

[=SpongeBob=] has pulled King Neptune's legendary spatula from a bucket of grease, and now Neptune has come to claim him as his royal fry cook, but [=SpongeBob=] must first prove himself in an epic cook-off against Neptune himself.
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!!"Neptune's Spatula" contains examples of:
* AlternateCatchphraseInflection: Normally, Spongebob's "I'm ready!" catchphrase is shouted in a happy, upbeat way to show how optimistic he is. But when Neptune challenges him to a cook-off with his career as a fry cook on the line, he says it in a quieter, more serious way to show that he understands the stakes of the challenge, but refuses to back down anyway.
* BackFromTheDead: Patrick is reduced to a pile of ash by King Neptune, but is quickly brought back to life at [=SpongeBob=]'s request... [[CameBackWrong only with his face on his butt]].
* BaitAndSwitchSentiment: When [=SpongeBob=] prepares to leave for Atlantis, Mr. Krabs bursts into tears:
-->'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' I know, Mr. Krabs. I'll miss you too.\\
'''Mr. Krabs:''' [[MisplacedSorrow I lost me bet!]]
* BrickJoke: Neptune laughs at the possibility of [=SpongeBob=] pulling out the legendary spatula. When it's pointed out again:
-->'''Neptune:''' It is even ''funnier'' the second time!
** Near the end of the CookingDuel, he tries out [=SpongeBob=]'s sole Krabby Patty and loves it so much...
--->'''Neptune:''' Why, it tastes so good, I think I'd like to try it a ''second'' time!
* ButtMonkey: Patrick keeps getting blasted by King Neptune. At one point, he gets reduced to ashes and [[CameBackWrong brought back with his face on his butt]].
* CameBackWrong: Patrick is killed after King Neptune blasts him to dust. [=SpongeBob=] convinces the king to bring him back... only now his face is stuck on his butt.
* CantTakeCriticism: King Neptune constantly zaps Patrick every time he calls him out in a silly manner.
* CassandraTruth: Neptune initially does not believe [=SpongeBob=] pulled out the spatula. Even when Patrick shows him the picture he took as proof, he still thinks [=SpongeBob=] lacks the quality of a fry cook.
* CookingDuel: Between [=SpongeBob=] and Neptune, which determines if the sponge is truly worthy of being his fry cook or if he should give up cooking altogether. The goal is to make a thousand Krabby Patties, which Neptune uses magic to accomplish, while [=SpongeBob=] only manages to make one by hand. That one patty, however, tastes far better than the ones Neptune made, and the king forfeits.
* CreatorCameo: Creator/TomKenny plays the live action guy in the shower that Neptune unwittingly shows as a reward.
* CrushingHandshake: Neptune and [=SpongeBob=] share handshakes before their competition, but Neptune's thunder-charged hands instantly disintegrate [=SpongeBob=]'s. [[GoodThingYouCanHeal Good thing they grow back]].
* DoNotTauntCthulhu: Patrick does this to Neptune, and is blasted repeatedly for every taunt until he's a black smear on the ground.
* FriendOrIdolDecision: After [=SpongeBob=] wins the cook-off, Neptune invites him to Atlantis, but bluntly informs him that his friends can't come. Faced with the choice between ascending to godhood or staying in Bikini Bottom with his friends, [=SpongeBob=] initially chooses the latter, but when Neptune refuses to take no for an answer, [=SpongeBob=] [[TakeAThirdOption takes a third option]] and offers to teach Neptune to cook for himself instead (without magic).
* FurryConfusion: The swordfish Neptune uses are not anthropomorphized in any way. Nor are the seahorses that put on his apron.
* GracefulLoser: For all his {{Jerkass}} traits, Neptune immediately concedes that [=SpongeBob=] is the winner with no fuss after trying his patty.
* HypocriticalHumor: Mr. Krabs assures [=SpongeBob=] that he has the utmost confidence that he'll win. Then he rushes to the betting window to put all his money on Neptune to win.
* JerkassGods: King Neptune. He insults and belittles [=SpongeBob=], refuses to believe he is worthy even after being shown photographic evidence of him pulling the spatula out, going as far as trying to make up excuses as why [=SpongeBob=] is not fully qualified, blasts Patrick into ash for standing up for [=SpongeBob=], rubs his (apparent) cook-off victory in [=SpongeBob=]'s face, and even after conceding, he refuses to take no for an answer and ''forces'' that [=SpongeBob=] to join him in Atlantis by making him a god. It didn't work out so well.
* LethalChef: Neptune's burgers turn out to be terrible to eat, prompting him to give [=SpongeBob=]'s patty a try and loving it.
* KarmaHoudini: Downplayed as while Neptune doesn’t receive any immediate comeuppance for tormenting [=SpongeBob=], as well as the damage caused to Patrick, he ''is'' being forced to take orders from [=SpongeBob=] at the end of the episode while serving as his "trainee" fry cook.
* MediumBlending: Neptune accidentally showing the live-action guy in the shower (Creator/TomKenny).
* MediumShiftGag: In one closeup, Neptune's fist around [=SpongeBob's=] body changes from a drawing to a photo of a live-action fist digitally colored green.
* MisplacedSorrow: After [=SpongeBob=] wins and has to go live with Neptune, Mr. Krabs is crying not because [=SpongeBob=] is leaving but because he lost all his money betting against him.
* MovingTheGoalposts: When it becomes clear to Neptune that [=SpongeBob=] is indeed the one who pulled out his spatula, he begins adding in and changing requirements to be qualified as his royal fry cook. He must be left-handed ([=SpongeBob=] has ''two''), and wear red-- no, blue underwear (he has ''both'' for some reason). Eventually, Patrick interrupts the gag, only to be smited.
* NotQuiteBackToNormal: After blasting Patrick to dust, Neptune returns him to normal... except his face is on his butt. He stays like that for the rest of the episode.
* OhCrap: [=SpongeBob=] and the old lady both have this reaction after clouds form above [=SpongeBob=], signifying Neptune's arrival.
-->'''[=SpongeBob=]:''' Uh-oh.\\
'''Old Lady:''' [[VocalDissonance HOLY SMOKES!]] ''[[ScrewThisImOuttaHere (runs away)]]''\\
'''Patrick:''' Rude! [[UnusuallyUninterestingSight Hey, the light changed.]]
* OnlyTheChosenMayWield: Only a fry cook worthy of Neptune can pull his spatula from the dried grease. [=SpongeBob=] has had enough experience on the grill to qualify, but King Neptune has doubts.
* OutOfFocus: Although Squidward is not relevant to the plot of the episode, he doesn't even appear at the end in the Krusty Krab, as [=SpongeBob=] is running the cash register.
* OverlyLongGag: Neptune keeps smiting Patrick when he eggs the god on that [=SpongeBob=] can handle anything he throws at him. It got to the point that he was reduced to a charred stain on the floor.
* PetTheDog: Neptune quickly agrees to restore Patrick back to normal (sort of) at [=SpongeBob=]'s request.
* ThePowerOfLove: How [=SpongeBob=] is able to win the duel: while Neptune uses his powers to simultaneously cook and assemble 1,000 burgers, they taste terrible. [=SpongeBob=] only makes one, but because he put his heart and soul into it to make it perfect, it tastes incredibly good, and Neptune forfeits.
-->'''Neptune:''' Perfect patties are made with love, not magic.
* QualityOverQuantity: See ThePowerOfLove.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: "You hurt my friend! You're not a king! You're a bully and a liar!"
* RuleOfThree: Neptune laughs at the prospect of [=SpongeBob=] pulling out the spatula, and laughs again when someone he considers more worth tells him the sponge did it. When it's pointed out a third time, he starts losing patience at the "joke".
* ScreamingAtSquick: The audience in the CookingDuel certainly did ''not'' want to see Neptune spit out [=SpongeBob=]'s Krabby Patty just to eat it a second time.
* ShockAndAwe: Neptune can shoot lightning out of his hands. He uses this to help cook his patties.
* ShoutOut: Neptune's Golden Spatula is a parody of Excalibur.
* SpecialGuest: Creator/JohnOHurley as King Neptune.
* SpoofAesop: “Perfect patties are made with love, not magic.”
* VisualPun: Neptune smites Patrick to ash for constantly talking back. When [=SpongeBob=] makes him undo it, he puts Patrick's face on his butt. In other words, he's literally talking out of his ass.
* VocalDissonance:
** The old lady at the beginning gains a scratchy baritone.
--->'''Old Lady:''' [[OhCrap HOLY SMOKES!]]
** Also [=SpongeBob=] when he becomes a god.
--->'''[=SpongeBob=]''': Wait, Neptune! I have another idea!
* WowingCthulhu: Neptune is so overwhelmed at how good [=SpongeBob's=] Krabby Patty is that he concedes the contest.
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