Spongebob Squarepants: The 10 Weirdest Things That The Show Inspired
When SpongeBob Squarepants first appeared in 1999, few could have predicted that it would become the huge phenomenon that it is. Still going strong after all of these years, the series has inspired memes, academic papers, and all sorts of commentary about every single aspect of its narrative, its character, and its visual style.
It has also inspired its fair share of unusual things, ranging from tennis shoes to a musical. Here are the ten strangest things that SpongeBob has inspired.
10 Sneakers
When you think of this show, you probably don’t immediately think of footwear. However, in their relentless pursuit of new design ideas, the people at Nike thought that it would be a great idea to use SpongeBob and his friends to create a truly stylish and vibrantly colorful range of shoes. Though the idea is a bit odd, you have to admit that it works out pretty well, and the sneakers in question are a perfect fit for summer.
9 A Hamburger
It should probably come as no surprise that SpongeBob inspired a hamburger, given how important the food is to the character and to his employer Mr. Krabs. The recipe is a fairly involved one, so it’s probably a good idea to practice it a few times before really diving in.
It’s also a recipe that’s notable for being more than a little unhealthy, so better you’d better prepare some cardio to work off those calories! From Binging with Babish.
8 High Fashion
One of the most fascinating things about high fashion is its ability to take even the most unexpected things and turn them into the height of culture. The line was designed to celebrate the series twentieth anniversary, and while some of the looks are….more than a little out there...and while they don’t bear much of a resemblance to the characters, you can’t help but admire the amount of creativity that went into its production and design.
7 A Musical
You know that a show has truly become a cultural icon when it is made into a musical. So, fans of the show were no doubt thrilled when the beloved show was given the musical treatment and debuted on Broadway in 2017. The musical received significant critical celebration, and it went on to be nominated for no fewer than twelve Tony Awards (tying with Mean Girls for the most nominations at that year’s awards).
6 A Villa
Young and adult alike have loved the show since the moment that it debuted. Those who want to take their fandom and celebration of the show to the next level should consider going on vacation to the Dominican Republic, where they can stay at “The Pineapple,” which was inspired by the iconic television show and its signature locations. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but with the comfort that it offers and the experience of being in SpongeBob’s world, it’s well worth it.
5 Its Own Colors
The show’s celebration of its twentieth anniversary was truly something special. After all, it’s not everyday that an animated show on Nickelodeon manages to reach a milestone like that. So important was that milestone, in fact, that it inspired the Pantone Color Institute to launch two new colors, SpongeBob Yellow and Patrick Star Pink, both of which were designed to reflect the essential characteristics of these delightful characters.
You know that you’ve made it as a cartoon when you literally add something to the color palette.
4 A Car
In addition to shoes, a house, and a color, SpongeBob also inspired a car. Yes, you read that right, a car. In 2014 Toyota created a special Highlander that was designed both inside and out to reflect the very special and unique visual appearance of SpongeBob and his friend. The special vehicle made a total of seven stops throughout the United States (including Hollywood) and was a hit with families and kids everywhere.
3 A Saved Life
You sometimes read about how particular television series or films saved someone’s life, and while this is usually meant metaphorically, in SpongeBob’s case it was very literal. In this case, a young girl managed to save her friend’s life--who was choking on a piece of gum--by using the Heimlich maneuver. How did she know how to do it? She remembered seeing SpongeBob save his friend Squidward from choking on his clarinet by using the life-saving maneuver and simply imitated it. Who says TV doesn’t save lives!
2 A Mushroom
The influence of SpongeBob clearly knows no bounds, extending even into the world of mother nature itself. When scientists discovered a new species of mushroom on the island of Borneo, they decided that its appearance--which closely resembles a sea sponge--was a perfect opportunity to honor the most famous sea sponge of them all.
The new species is one of only two species in its genus. What’s more, it doesn’t just look like a sponge on the outside; it also looks like it under a microscope!
1 An MMA Nickname
This is probably one of the strangest things to be inspired by SpongeBob. After all, you don’t usually equate the lovable sponge from beneath the ocean with the violence of MMA fighting. However, that’s just what happened with Ednaldo “Lula” Oliveira, who got his nickname from his early training days, when people observed that he was tall and skinny like Squidward. Though he was originally unhappy with the nickname, it gradually grew on him. After all, who wouldn’t want to be associated with one of the most successful animated series of all time?