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SpongeBob, You're Fired

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"SpongeBob, You're Fired"

"SpongeBob, You're Fired" is a television special[1] of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It serves as the 11th episode of the ninth season and the 189th overall episode. It was directed by Alan Smart and Tom Yasumi, and was written by Marc Ceccarelli, Luke Brookshier, and Mr. Lawrence. Ceccarelli and Brookshier also served as storyboard directors. The episode originally aired in Greece on July 3, 2013. In the United States, it aired on Nickelodeon on November 11. In this episode of the series, which follows the adventures and endeavors of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob gets fired from the Krusty Krab after Mr. Krabs discovers he can save a nickel by eliminating him. SpongeBob subsequently decides to apply at other restaurants.

"SpongeBob, You're Fired" was first screened at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con International. Prior to broadcast on television, the episode created a level of controversy for its depiction of unemployment. It eventually sparked a political debate when Media Matters for America and Al Sharpton of MSNBC accused both the New York Post and Fox News of using the episode "to slam poor people who use social services".[2][3][4][5][6] The premiere of "SpongeBob, You're Fired" drew 5.2 million viewers, the biggest audience viewership for a SpongeBob SquarePants episode in two years.

Plot summary

A scene from the episode depicting a depressed SpongeBob, while being encouraged by Patrick for the "glorious unemployment"

SpongeBob is going about his usual day at work at the Krusty Krab. All of a sudden, his employer, Mr. Krabs, fires him from his job as a fry cook. According to Mr. Krabs, he can save a nickel if he cuts SpongeBob's salary. SpongeBob offers to work for free, but Mr. Krabs said that he considered that, but learned that it would be illegal and that he could lose his vending license. Squidward Tentacles, SpongeBob's apathetic co-worker, asks if he can be fired as well, but Mr. Krabs says that Squidward has more seniority and won't fire him. SpongeBob cries in depression all the way home. Squidward, although gleeful over SpongeBob not working at the Krusty Krab anymore, asks Mr. Krabs who will be the new fry cook. His boss informs him that to save money, he'll take over the kitchen--much to Squidward's dismay.

At home, SpongeBob's still distraught and explains the situation to Patrick. Patrick, however, tells him that "being unemployed is the best gig [he] knows." Patrick says that he'll come back in the morning to introduce SpongeBob to "the unemployed lifestyle." The next morning, the two friends meet up and start SpongeBob's first day of "glorious unemployment," or as Patrick likes to call it, "Fun Employment." Patrick demonstrates his activities to his best friend: 1.) Going to Squidward's garden and getting him to throw vegetables at them after ruining some of his flowers, 2.) Taking a "siesta" and 3.) Having a free lunch with friends at Sandy Cheeks' tree dome. Sandy's surprised to see SpongeBob there, and he reveals that he got fired from the Krusty Krab. Sandy tells SpongeBob that he should find a new job. SpongeBob says that Sandy's right, and he thanks Patrick for trying to help him, but points out that while unemployment might be fun for Patrick, SpongeBob needs a job. Patrick's fine with this and tells his best friend that he should do what he feels is right.

Afterwards, SpongeBob tries getting a job at a hot dog joint, then a pizzeria, a taqueria and finally an Asian noodle house, but gets fired each time for making a type of patty (a "weenie patty," a "pizza patty," a "burrito patty" and a "noodle patty") instead of what the restaurant itself specializes in. After getting fired from the noodle house, SpongeBob goes home and prepares some homemade pet food for Gary after noticing that they're out of store bought food. Gary loves the food and even Patrick loves it as well. Eventually, the door rings and SpongeBob answers but is stashed into a body bag and taken back to the hot dog restaurant, where he is forced to work, because, as it turns out, the customers actually loved the weenie patties that SpongeBob created. Soon, all four of the restaurant managers who fired SpongeBob before are fighting over him, because it turns out that their customers loved the patty creations he made.

But then a mysterious person in a Krabby Patty-costume defeats all four of the restaurant managers, saves SpongeBob and takes him back to the Krusty Krab. It turns out that the Krusty Krab has gone downhill ever since Mr. Krabs fired SpongeBob and took over as the fry cook. Squidward reveals himself as the person in the costume, and explains that as much as he hates SpongeBob (which SpongeBob himself acknowledges), he hates the smell of burning Krabby Patties even more, and both he and Mr. Krabs ask SpongeBob to be the fry cook again, with Mr. Krabs admitting that he made a huge mistake in firing SpongeBob in the first place. SpongeBob gladly accepts his old job as the fry cook, and puts the restaurant back on track, which brings back all the customers--it even brings in the four restaurant managers who fought over SpongeBob. At the end of the episode, Mr. Krabs reveals that he found a way to save that nickel he was losing: charging people a nickel to use the bathroom.

Production

In an October 30, 2013 article of the New York Post, it was first reported that "SpongeBob, You're Fired" would air on Nickelodeon in the United States several weeks later, on November 11, 2013.[7][7][8] In the article, Russell Hicks, president of content, development and production for Nickelodeon, said "Like all really great cartoons, part of SpongeBob's long-running success has been its ability to tap into the zeitgeist while still being really funny for our audience."[7] He further stated that "As always, despite this momentary setback, SpongeBob's eternal optimism prevails, which is always a great message for everyone."[7]

On July 21, 2013, Tom Kenny presented an event called "SpongeCon 2013: The Year of the Fan" at the San Diego Comic-Con International 2013.[9][10][11] The event hosted the official and exclusive sneak preview of "SpongeBob, You're Fired" and the screening of the SpongeBob SquareShorts global short film competition finalists.[12][13][14][15][16][17] Prior to the official preview, a sneak peek of the episode was featured on Nick Studio 10, hosted by Noah Grossman and Gabrielle "Gabby" Senn, on June 10, 2013.[18] A "SpongeBob expert" named Sophia said that "the unthinkable [will] happen to SpongeBob [in this episode]".[19] She remarked that the episode is "pretty top secret".[20]

As part of the marketing campaign for the episode, Nickelodeon debuted an online game of the same name.[21][22] Beginning November 6, players could visit "nick.com/spongebob" to play the game.[21][22] In the gameplay, players must accurately cook the orders of the diners while juggling each server's impatience level in order to keep them "happy as possible".[21][22] Furthermore, Nickelodeon published a collection called SpongeBob SquarePants: Get to Work! on iTunes.[21][22] On November 6, Nickelodeon debuted the full-length trailer of the episode to garner more exposure.[23] Earlier that day, The Hollywood Reporter exclusively debuted the 45-second teaser.[23] The source also released in advance an exclusive 90-second trailer of the episode, featuring SpongeBob getting the ax from Mr. Krabs, a decision he made for cost-cutting purposes, on November 4.[23][24]

On April 29, 2014, Nickelodeon and Paramount Home Entertainment released "SpongeBob, You're Fired" on a DVD compilation of the same name,[25] along with the bonus episodes "Neptune's Spatula", "Welcome to the Chum Bucket", "The Original Fry Cook", "Le Big Switch", "Model Sponge", "Employee of the Month", "Bossy Boots", "Krusty Dogs", "License to Milkshake", "Help Wanted", "Wet Painters", "Krusty Krab Training Video", and "Pizza Delivery".

Reception

Ratings

"SpongeBob, You're Fired" first aired on Nickelodeon (Greece) on July 3, 2013.[6] In the United States, it premiered on November 11. The original U.S. airing of the episode on Nickelodeon brought in the biggest audience viewership for a SpongeBob SquarePants episode in two years, with 5.186 million households tuning in overall.[26][27][28] The episode tied with CBS' Hostages, the "poorest performer", from the "Big Four" of the night.[27] However, across cable, the show outperformed The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (0.8 adults), Teen Mom (0.7 adults) and The Daily Show (0.6 adults).[27] The broadcast was enough for a second-place finish in total viewers among all the day's cable programs to the Monday Night Football contest between the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on ESPN.[27][28] "SpongeBob, You're Fired" topped the 2–11, 6–11 and 9–14 in the kids demographics.[26][27]

Controversy

The episode subtly introduces a couple of hot-button issues, including the worth of social services, labor laws that caused SpongeBob's boss, Mr. Krabs, to fire his best employee, and more [...]

The episode's plot development was criticized for its line that is referring to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps benefit). In a scene from the episode, Patrick Star tried to show SpongeBob "the benefits of being unemployed", at which he said in response, "Unemployment may be fun for you, but I need to get a job." The scene was meant to demonstrate the title character's "eternal optimism and willingness to get back to work", and "do it in a way that's still funny and relatable".[29] However, it was reported that political activists claim the "notorious line" as a "slam" to the Food Stamps benefit.[29][30][31] In a report by The Hollywood Reporter, it stated there that the episode may have a political agenda about the social safety net. It added that "It's not the first time SpongeBob has waded into social commentary, though usually when it does, it bugs the right and supports the left." The Hollywood Reported cited the previous episodes "SpongeBob's Last Stand" and "Selling Out" for where "environmentalism is glorified" and "large businesses are demonized".[24]

According to various sources, the story line is said to be "symbolic of a harsh economic climate".[32][33][34] The plot eventually sparked a political debate for its depiction of unemployment.[30][35] Prior to the premiere, the New York Post published an article on the episode. However, the article was criticized with those who accused the author, Andrea Morabito, of attacking "poor people" who rely on government assistance, referring to individuals who rely on food stamps as "mooching off the social services" and applauding SpongeBob for instead quickly returning to "gainful employment".[2][3] Fox News's Heather Nauert of Fox & Friends stated that "the harsh economic climate has hit the underwater community",[3] but "instead of mooching off social services at Bikini Bottom, that's the town, SpongeBob sets out to return to the work force".[36]

After the New York Post and Fox News remarked on the episode, Media Matters for America, a politically progressive media watchdog group, responded.[3][24] The group accused the media sources, both owned by News Corporation, of using the episode "to slam poor people who use social services".[2][3] In response to Fox News, Media Matters immediately posted an item online titled "Right-Wing Media Use SpongeBob SquarePants' Firing To Attack Social Safety Net", arguing that the two "are using the firing of fictional cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants to attack the social safety net and those who rely on it".[3][24][37] Media Matters was "also particularly bothered by [a] line from The Post story: "Lest he sit around idly, mooching off the social services of Bikini Bottom, a depressed SpongeBob sets out to return to gainful employment wherever he can find it", reporter Andrea Morabito wrote. "No spoilers—but it's safe to say that our hero doesn't end up on food stamps, as his patty-making skills turn out to be in high demand."[3][24][24]

Civil rights activist and talk show host Al Sharpton of MSNBC remarked in the October 31 episode of PoliticsNation that "The right-wingers found a new hero in its war against the poor [...] SpongeBob SquarePants. That's right. SpongeBob SquarePants [...] So a sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea doesn't need government help. That means no one does?"[4][5][6]

Nickelodeon declined to comment on the issue caused by the message of the episode.[6] However, Russell Hicks of Nickelodeon said the show is "tapping into the news of the moment, but did not specifically address any political leanings or ideologies within the episode." In a statement, Hicks said "Like all really great cartoons, part of SpongeBob's long-running success has been its ability to tap into the zeitgeist while still being really funny for our audience. As always, despite this momentary setback, SpongeBob's eternal optimism prevails, which is always a great message for everyone."[31]

Merchandising

Nickelodeon and Random House released a book based on the episode called You're Fired!. The book is illustrated by David Aikins and was released on January 7, 2014. A DVD titled "SpongeBob You're Fired" was released by Paramount on April 29, 2014.[38][39][40]

References

General
  • Grossman, Noah; Senn, Gabrielle "Gabby" (June 10, 2013). Nickelodeon Animation Tour: SpongeBob Gets Fired?! (Video). Nickelodeon.
Specific
  1. ^ Grossman & Sean 2013, 0:11–0:18.
  2. ^ a b c "Entertainment- Fox News Uses 'SpongeBob' Episode to Attack Poor People (Video)". U.S. Pro Cycling News. October 31, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Groch-Begley, Hanna (October 31, 2013). "Right-Wing Media Use SpongeBob SquarePants' Firing To Attack Social Safety Net". Media Matters for America. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Media Matters Staff (October 31, 2013). "MSNBC's Sharpton Ridicules Right-Wing Media For Using SpongeBob To Attack Social Safety Net". Media Matters for America. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "PoliticsNation: SpongeBob and the poor?". MSNBC. October 31, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d Suebsaeng, Asawin (November 5, 2013). "Former Gay Propagandist SpongeBob SquarePants Is Now a Conservative Darling". Mother Jones. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  7. ^ a b c d Morabito, Andrea (October 30, 2013). "SpongeBob fired in harsh underwater economy". New York Post. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  8. ^ Chumley, Cheryl K. (October 31, 2013). "You're fired: SpongeBob SquarePants gets taste of economy". The Washington Times. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  9. ^ "Comic-Con 2013 schedule: See what's happening Sunday". Vogue Entertainment Group. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  10. ^ Napier, Jim (July 16, 2013). "Nickelodeon Announces Comic-Con Schedule". ScreenInvasion.com. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  11. ^ Bryne, Craig (July 7, 2013). "Comic-Con Sunday TV Programs To Include Supernatural, Doctor Who & More". Ksite TV. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  12. ^ "Comic-Con 2013: The TV Schedule (Updated)". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  13. ^ Amidi, Amid (July 9, 2013). "Your Guide to Animation Events at San Diego Comic-Con (Days 3 and 4)". Cartoon Brew. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  14. ^ "SpongeCon 2013: The Year of the Fan". ComicCon2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  15. ^ "Comic-Con 2013: Day 4 Schedule". Deadline.com. July 7, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  16. ^ Brooks, Tamara (July 15, 2013). "Nickelodeon Panels & Signings at SDCC '13". MisfitsOfSciFi.com. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  17. ^ "Nickelodeon at Comic-Con 2013". San Diego Comic-Con. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  18. ^ Grossman & Sean 2013.
  19. ^ Grossman & Sean 2013, 0:19–0:21.
  20. ^ Grossman & Sean 2013, 1:09–1:11.
  21. ^ a b c d Liu, Ed (November 6, 2013). "PR: "SpongeBob, You're Fired!" Debuts November 11, 2013, on Nickelodeon". Toon Zone. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  22. ^ a b c d Beck, Jerry (November 5, 2013). "Spongebob, You're Fired!". IndieWire. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  23. ^ a b c Ng, Philinia (November 6, 2013). "'SpongeBob SquarePants': Nickelodeon Debuts 'You're Fired!' Trailer (Exclusive Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  24. ^ a b c d e f g Bond, Paul (November 4, 2013). "SpongeBob's Firing Sparks Political Debate (Exclusive Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  25. ^ Lambert, David (January 28, 2014). "SpongeBob SquarePants-Time to Hang Up His Spatula: 'SpongeBob, You're Fired!' on DVD". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  26. ^ a b Weisman, Jon (November 12, 2013). "'SpongeBob' Loses Job, Earns Big Ratings for Nickelodeon". Variety. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  27. ^ a b c d e O'Connell, Michael (November 12, 2013). "TV Ratings: A Lot of Adults Watched Monday's 'SpongeBob SquarePants'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  28. ^ a b Bibel, Sara (November 12, 2013). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night Football' Wins Night, 'Love & Hip Hop', 'WWE Raw','Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' & More". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  29. ^ a b "SpongeBob SquarePants Fired, Sparks Political Debate [Video]". The Inquisitr. November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  30. ^ a b "SpongeBob gets fired, prompts political debate about food stamps". MSN. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  31. ^ a b McCalmont, Lucy (November 5, 2013). "Jobless SpongeBob nets fans on right". Politico. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  32. ^ "SpongeBob SquarePants ignites real-life media firestorm over social services after losing his job at the Krusty Crab". National Post. November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  33. ^ Weisman, Aly (November 4, 2013). "SpongeBob Gets Fired From His Job Amid 'Harsh Underwater Economy' And Sparks A Real-Life Political Debate". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  34. ^ "SpongeBob Gets Fired From His Job Amid 'Harsh Underwater Economy' And Sparks A Real-Life Political Debate". San Francisco Chronicle. November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  35. ^ Weisman, Aly (November 4, 2013). "SpongeBob Gets Fired From His Job Amid 'Harsh Underwater Economy' And Sparks A Real-Life Political Debate". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  36. ^ "Hannah Groch-Begley: Right-Wing Media Use SpongeBob SquarePants' Firing To Attack Social Safety Net". ThisNY.com. October 31, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  37. ^ Feldman, Josh (November 5, 2013). "Who's Not Collecting Welfare Under the Sea? Spongebob Squarepants!". Mediaite. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  38. ^ "You're Fired! (SpongeBob SquarePants)". Random House. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  39. ^ "You're Fired! (SpongeBob SquarePants)". Random House Kids. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  40. ^ "You're Fired! (spongebob Squarepants)". Indigo. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
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