SpongeBob SquarePants and Family Guy: Smilarities?

Chances are you're confused about this thread, I probably should have gave it a different name (or at least not included the question mark) but there are some similarities I've noticed:

• Both shows debuted in 1999, but aren't associated with the 90's because they became popular much later.
• Both shows went through a long period without new episodes.
• Both had a movie near-around their 4th season (Stewie Griffin The Untold Story)
• Both have Jewish main characters.(Mr. Krabs is sometimes thought of as a Jew in fanon, the Griffins are Jewish)
• Both have a duo full of homoerotic subtext, or just plain text. (Stewie and Brian, Sponge Bob and Patrick)
• Both have small evil geniuses that want to rule the world. (Stewie and Plankton)
• Both have a character that gets undeserved abuse from the rest of the cast. (Meg and Squidward)
• Both looked more crude in the early seasons.
• Both suffered from enough Flanderization to get their own folders on the Western Animation page.
• Both shows became more sadistic during their run.
• Both shows have been accused of being in a Springtime for Hitler scenario behind the scenes.
• Both shows are hot-button issues on this website.

Am I just seeing things? Are these traits just common in television? Is this thread so ugly that everyone is going to die?

edited 15th Nov '13 4:20:18 PM by Smasher

No, I like your reasoning! It's funny how I associate Family Guy with the nineties and not Spongebob.

Technically the Griffins aren't Jewish Lois is half Jewish since her mother is Jewish but the Griffins are Catholic.

I smell locked thread in just one angry fanboy away.

hm... as do i.

Usually saying the thread will get lock get lock for that reason. Seeing as this isn't really a complaint thread don't you guys have anything else to add?

edited 15th Nov '13 4:59:13 PM by AfroWarrior27

Yes. Why? They obviously DON'T have many similarities.

They don't I'll agree with that.

2, 3, and 4 in that list are wrong and anything else is just a really meaningless coincidence.

SBSQ went for a two year gap to finish the 3rd season and make the movie. FG was resurrected a few years after Adult Swim saved it.

Mr. Krabs being a Greedy Jew is more of a fanon thing, but 4/6 of the Griffins are Jewish as per Jewish laws.

And I'm pretty sure Untold Story came out around the same time as S4 started.

But I just noticed this coincidences and wanted to see if anyone else noticed them. By the way, is there any Sponge Bob episode as despised as Not All Dogs Go To Heaven? The closest I can think of is Boating Buddies.

edited 15th Nov '13 6:19:24 PM by Smasher

"Worst Spongebob Episode" depends on who you ask.

Some think it's One Course Meal, others think Atlantis Squarepantis and a few think it's "Boating Buddies". Pal for Gary, Stuck in the Wringer, Squid's Visit, House Fancy, Squid Baby and Face Freeze are also quite hated in the fandom.

edited 16th Nov '13 1:41:57 AM by PippingFool

Don't forget Plankton's Regular. I think I hear a lot of negativity concerning Good Neighbours as well. I thought House Fancy was more a Broken Base though (it has that gratuitous toe scene, but some people like it for Throwing A Bone to Squidward).

Casey Alexander and Zeus Cervas are usually pinpointed as making most of the poorer episodes in the series and aiming for more sadistic humor and characterizations.

edited 15th Nov '13 8:29:55 PM by Psi001

So fans think the money-grubbing character in Spongebob is supposed to be a Jew? Wow, way to be progressive there, SB fans.

And yet even they have the potential to make funny and engaging episodes. "Sandcastles in the Sand" proves that at least when they try, they can do something that is just as good as ye olde times.

The same writers went on to write Atlantis Squarepantis so... :V

edited 16th Nov '13 1:41:07 AM by PippingFool

The only thing I don't underatnd in this list is how both shows have been supposedly accused of a Springtime for Hitler scenario. Why, where, by who, when??

Oh yeah, that sounds like "I can't believe they made a show that I don't enjoy! It must be some kind of sham scam plot scheme!"

Why are you all ignoring the hilarious typo? Smimilarities are crazy man.

I will note these smimilarities in my Englilsh paper

Jeez kid, ever heard of proofreading?

Who, me?

Yes, you.

My dog.

A LOT of shows have several of these very same traits, though. Comparing the two based on this criteria is really grasping at straws.

A lot of shows have long hiatuses, movies, Jewish characters, Ho Yay, buttmonkeys, Art Evolution, Flanderization, and all of the other qualities you've listed.

Every single show that debuts at the very end of a decade is usually associated with the following decade, unless it only lasts a single season. For example, people really don't associate The Simpsons with the 80s.

edited 22nd Nov '13 11:12:08 AM by redhed311

A lot of times when I see two 'anythings' compared, there's usually that, "Oh, but all these other things have that too, so your comparison is bad and you should feel bad" kind of response.

Similarities ain't spelled right.

I didn't know there was any serious debate over the quality of Spongebob episodes. I mean, yeah, it's noticeable, but it's something I'd complain about by the watercooler.

They did have hiatuses around the same time IIRC.

Around those same times, I started catching onto the subtext more and more.

Various threats to the Griffins, like the Giant Chicken, Stewie trying to kill Lois, and run-of-the-mill poverty became almost non-issues, same as Plankton.

Meg and Squidward receive unconditional abuse. I have never seen any show that gave a character as much crap as they get. Chalk that to inexperience, but I usually see the Butt-Monkey get some kind of redeeming moment at some point. Even Yamcha is at least acknowledged as a good guy.

Mr. Krabs goes from being a responsible business owner to a complete Jerkass in some episodes. Peter went from being comically inept to being a Jerkass. These were some of the first animated characters I noticed with that drastic shift. Yes, Bobby Hill became more of a dork later in the show, and Sheen went from being comical to utterly moronic in Jimmy Neutron. Those shows aren't being compared here.

There are plenty of shows that may do the same thing yeah, that's pretty much the reason for this site's existence.

edited 22nd Nov '13 1:32:53 PM by FOFD

And the 1999 part is a coincidence?

And Futurama came out that same year. 1999 was good (or terrible) for cartoons.