The Idiocy Of Spongebab Squarepants

Raheem Lawrence
Written Communication 1, English 101
Critical Analysis draft # 2
March 22, 2011

The Idiocy of SpongeBob

SpongeBob Squarepants is a television show made for kids that has been on air for couple of years now. The show is about a talking sponge that goes by the name of SpongeBob. The show takes place under the ocean in Bikini Bottom. From the very first episode SpongeBob starts off by making friends and by getting a job working at a fast food restaurant named the Krusty Krab. The restaurant is run by a selfish manager by the name of Mr. Krab. Aside from these two, three other main characters are Patrick, Squidward and Plankton. Despite its humor, the show SpongeBob Squarepants lacks educational value and is filled
with many things that are inappropriate for children. In the first episode SpongeBob heads to the Krusty Krab seeking work. At first Mr. Krabs does not feel that SpongeBob is suitable for the position. SpongeBob is later on able to prove that he is indeed worthy and gets the job. The fact that show takes place underwater is not the issue here. As a parent one should take a closer look at the name “Bikini Bottom”. At a young age children cannot exactly understand everything that they hear or see but are sometimes able to pick up on small things. A bikini is a womans’ swimsuit, which comes in either a one-piece or a two-piece. The word bottom is usually associated with the behind of a person or the lowest part of something. When both words are combined the first thing that would come to ones’ mind is the bottom of a woman’s bikini. Of course a young child would not be able to pick up on the combination of both words and what it could potentially mean. This causes one to question whether this is truly a show for children or is it meant for a more mature audience. Although there are children who are able to understand from the get go that some of these things are not possible everyone is not the same. Most television shows for children are meant to entertain them, and also to help their academic growth in one way or another. Although here are many instances when the characters deal with the subject of friendship, there is always something hidden within the scene or episode. One may argue that the name as well as many other things that take place within the show is mere coincidences, but this is not the case. Why are these sea creatures living in the “Bottom” of a “Bikini”? There is a very big focus on these sexual references and not enough time is spent on the fact that it is supposed to be a children’s show. If a person is unable to answer these questions, then is this really a show that youth of today should be watching. In the following episode an incident takes place where SpongeBob rips his pants and is ashamed, and is then made fun of.
Later on in the episode SpongeBob, and a few minor characters perform a song about the ripping of SpongeBobs’ pants. The song is indeed funny, but where is the educational value? On the stage SpongeBob continues to bend over and rip his pants as if to encourage the audience to do the same. This show is solely meant as pure entertainment for a more mature audience. It lacks the many necessary qualities to be considered a children’s show. The level of educational value is low, and parents that do allow their children to watch television at a young age, should feel comfortable knowing their kids are learning something from this show. The how SpongeBob Squarepants encourages children that ripping their pants is something fun to do whereas the children should be learning something that could be beneficial to their academic
growth.
After further analysis of a few more episodes one is able to realize that Mr.
Krabs has been the center of a dirty joke all along. Mr. Krabs, which one can tell by the name, is a sea crab. Looking back at “Bikini Bottom”, does it all begin to make sense? Mr. Krabs lives in “Bikini Bottom”. The same way that someone of age can come to this conclusion, could a small child not be capable of the same thing? Even if someone else can prove that SpongeBob does indeed have educational value, is anyone willing to take the risk of their small children asking them about bottoms, bikini’s and crabs? The word “crabs” is used to describe pubic lice. If the show was truly meant for children, why would the creator leave all of these things so noticeable? When looking at this show and the hidden jokes and comparing them to shows such as Family Guy, and South Park there is not much difference in the vulgarity of the jokes. The only difference is that one is hidden and one is
not. Although SpongeBob Squarepants is meant to entertain, since it is a show for children, the writer of the show should focus more on making the episodes more educational. The show lacks the necessary qualities in order to make it a show that a person wouldn’t mind leaving their child to. A more suitable children’s show would consist of character’s that teach children to read, write, and everything that stimulates the mind, on top of having fun. Not only does this show not educate its audience, it continues to prove that it is a show small child should not watch. This show should be left as entertainment for who are at least in their teens early teens and maybe so that may be too soon.