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‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ Showrunners on Character’s Enduring Popularity After 25 Years: ‘There Are Endless Possibilities’
'SpongeBob Squarepants' showrunners and voice actor Tom Kenny reflect on the character's enduring popularity for the series' 25th anniversary.
Originally the brainchild of the late Stephen Hillenburg, who majored in marine science and minored in art in college, SpongeBob got his shot at the big time when his creator was encouraged to pitch a show to Nickelodeon after completing work as a director on “Rocko’s Modern Life.” When Hillenburg’s show was greenlit, he brought with him stand-up comedian Tom Kenny, who had worked on “Rocko.” He’d not only provide the voice of the title character but also his pet sea snail, Gary, who meows like a cat. While Kenny and many of his costars have supplied the voices of their characters since the beginning of the series, dozens of A-listers have made guest appearances — or even turned up in human form — to support “SpongeBob” across its more than 300 episodes. Citing the many people who approach him at events to say how SpongeBob’s voice has become a kind of aural comfort food to them, Kenny suggests it’s the consistency — and simplicity — of the character that has drawn audiences in for now a quarter of a century.
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