It's hard to deny SpongeBob SquarePants' place in the pantheon of both animated series and children's show in the history of television. Even if the quality does not hold up for some viewers, the legacy and influence of the classic Nickelodeon show are well-documented and apparent to all, even those who have never seen an episode.
As always, the first episode is the place to start, though. SpongeBob was pretty well-realized by Stephen Hillenburg from the beginning. Unlike many cartoons, which begin in media res, SpongeBob's first episode goes to great lengths to introduce the audience to the irreverent world of Bikini Bottom. Entitled "Help Wanted," SpongeBob's first installment is iconic, even if its twenty-two-year-old status leaves it as being not easily memorable.
Nicktoons Of The Nineties
It might seem insane to think about, but yes, in May, SpongeBob will be a twenty-two-year-old show. It's still considered a Nicktoon of the 1990s, even though it only just made the cut-off, bowing in 1999.
That's why it has a sensibility in tandem with many of the old Nickelodeon shows, like Rugrats and Rocko's Modern Life. The first episode makes this clearer than the later ones, which veers into broader territory. Airing first after the Kids' Choice Awards, SpongeBob was a clear Nicktoon legacy series from the get-go.
Differences In Animation
Something that's easy to forget from the start of SpongeBob is the difference in the animation, especially when compared to newer episodes, which are clean and high-definition.
The complexions of the characters are cruder, with SpongeBob's character design coming across as wonky and wobbly. Squidward appears much paler, as well. And some of the final designs for the locales of Bikini Bottom would be altered later, as with the placement of Mr. Krabs' office, which is mirrored in "Help Wanted."
Narrator From The Start
While some kinks clearly had to be ironed out from the first episode of SpongeBob, other elements were so well-realized by Hillenburg and his creative team that they have persisted to be a part of the series to this day.
One of these elements is in the conceptions of the characters. Mr. Krabs, Squidward, and Patrick are all pretty recognizable from the start. But the recurring characters, always good for a laugh, also help make the world of SpongeBob clear from the pilot, as evidenced by Tom Kenny's absurdist French narrator, who speaks the first lines of the series.
Krusty Krab
Some Nickelodeon shows, like Danny Phantom, rely on the theme song to catch viewers up with the premise of the show. SpongeBob, however, took the time in its first episode to illustrate how the titular character came to work at the Krusty Krab.
As such, it can be easy to forget that the first episode does not begin with SpongeBob already employed as the town's preeminent fry cook. It became an ingrained part of the series, but "Help Wanted" helps show how the job came to be occupied.
Anchovies, Spatulas, And Personality
Another aspect of SpongeBob that is present throughout its run was introduced in the first eight minutes of the series. With how much world-building took place later on, it's almost too easy to forget that the creative staff was conducting this from the beginning.
SpongeBob's obsession and attachment to his trusty spatula, characters populated by species well-known by marine biologists, and a unique sense of humor on television. All of these aspects and more were in the show's first episode.
A Smelly Smell
A big part of SpongeBob's legacy is how it exists in the meme culture. So many lines have been celebrated by those who grew up with the show and a good majority of them remain humorous to this day.
One such example is when Mr. Krabs describes a "kind of smelly smell" that smells "smelly." It's one of the show's iconic quotes and it actually is delivered in "Help Wanted." Even from the first episode, SpongeBob was intent on delivering all-time moments.
Tiny Tim
Part of SpongeBob's humor has always dwelt within the realm of Dadaist comedy. In the first episode, that includes a montage of SpongeBob quelling the anchovies to the tune of "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight."
This is, of course, a song that is clearly by Tiny Tim (a fact that is evident from the first lyric heard). It may not have seemed like a sensible marriage for a show for kids, but it's an intrinsic, crucial element of the episode.
No Sandy
The first episode of SpongeBob SquarePants introduces viewers to a number of iconic sea-faring creatures, like Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and SpongeBob himself. However, that left many of the series' biggest figures on the sidelines.
It wasn't yet time for major recurring characters like Mrs. Puff and Plankton to turn up. But there was also no room for Sandy, who would be introduced in the series' third episode, "Tea at the Treedome."
Irregular Episodes
Speaking of "Tea at the Treedome," it's often referred to as the first "regular episode" of SpongeBob SquarePants. Obviously, with an engaging story that zips by, it can be easy to forget that "Help Wanted" is just eight minutes long, whereas most SpongeBob stories stretch for eleven.
Even the second episode, "Reef Blower," is about two and a half minutes long. It wasn't until "Tea at the Treedome" when it became apparent that SpongeBob's formula would look a little different from the first episode.
Squidward's Frustration
While the first dialogue on SpongeBob comes courtesy of the narrator, the end of the episode (and, subsequently, this list) belongs to Squidward Tentacles. The curmudgeonly cashier and neighbor of SpongeBob utters the last line of "Help Wanted," "Mr. Krabs, come see your new employee!"
It's spoken in a mocking manner, but the part that's easily forgotten is that it indicates Squidward's goal to get SpongeBob fired. Over time, he'd relax these efforts and just complain about SpongeBob (with the occasional plot and opportunity to be rid of him). But in that first episode, he was an undeniable foe. Help may have been wanted, but no help was needed for SpongeBob to be one of the greats.