In its first few seasons, "SpongeBob Square Pants" proved the old adage that children's programs are wasted on children, commanding a loyal following among parents and especially among college students hungry for quality entertainment. The dialogue and allusions that flew right over children's heads landed squarely in adults' faces. In fact, "SpongeBob Square Pants" became so popular among America's undergraduates it aired for a while on MTV as well as Nickelodeon. SpongeBob lives in a pineapple under the sea, working diligently and enthusiastically as a fry cook at Bikini Bottom's most successful fast-food emporium. Patrick, a less-than-gifted starfish, is SpongeBob's best friend and favorite co-conspirator"”naturally the show's resident slacker. Squidward, an undersea relic of Spiro Agnew's "effete corps of impudent snobs who characterize themselves as intellectuals," consistently antagonizes, undermines, and cheap-shots SpongeBob and Patrick. Of course, the series' unmistakable anthropomorphism contributes substantially to its success. "SpongeBob Square Pants" remains Nickelodeon's highest rated show, the most widely distributed MTV Network property, and one of television's most successful animated franchises.

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