Does anyone else think SpongeBob is following a similar format to Ren & Stimpy?

Question

After putting much thought into it, I've been trying to devise reasons as to why SpongeBob has fallen from his longtime glory. As I was watching a more recent episode, I began to take note of the various differences between older and newer episodes.
Old episodes:
More creative plots, longer episode lengths, SpongeBob seems like a more intelligent individual, Squidward has a lot more patience, Patrick is a dumb, yet loveable oaf, Sandy focuses more on karate than inventing and is seen a lot more, animation is warmer and more inviting, etc.

New episodes:
Many of the popular characters have become minor, character personalities were drastically changed, gross-out scenes, shorter episodes, ridiculous specials, corny jokes, gross-out humor, the animation is smooth and cold, constantly musical, repetitive episode stories, etc.

Now, I was thinking about it, and I always found the gross-out humor and scenes to be a familiar element. One that was typical in the late Ren & Stimpy. Not to compare SpongeBob to Ren & Stimpy, but honestly, the gross-out should've been left to R&S. Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of beloved SpongeBob, had apparently stepped down from his position as Executive Producer, when many had thought he abandoned his own creation. And in a way, he did.

Paul Tibbitt, another person on the SpongeBob team, took Hillenburg's place, and in doing so, contributed to these major changes. Now, Paul's not all a bad guy, afterall, he produced many of the older eps(Tea at the Treedome, etc.), but for some reason, Paul must've thought that SpongeBob needed a change and decided to follow a format similar to Ren & Stimpy. I believe Nickelodeon is known for its producers and artists being on various other cartoons, so I'm wondering is Paul had just decided to take a look at an older cartoon and apply some elements from that. As most know, parody is a form flattery. But unfortunately, the gross-out doesn't work for the loveable and previously kid-friendly SpongeBob.

It's really sad to think my childhood animated idol had to be reduced to what he is today. In all reality, the reports of SpongeBob ruining the brain growth of 4 year olds, is most likely a result of these newer episodes and their degrading plots. I've watched SpongeBob since I was 3, when it first came on the air, and as of today, as a freshmen in high school, I'm a straight-A student and I have been through my school career. Unfortunately, I don't blame parents for being wary of the little yellow sponge nowadays, and to be honest, my own child will never be allowed to watch anything that I fear might potentially disturb their mind and mind growth. Hence, my children will be raised like 90s children.

Anyway, anyone else believe that SpongeBob is spiritually trying to be like Ren & Stimpy?

Answer 1

Well like all T.V shows they eventually run their course. My guess is that the creators and writers of Spongebob are probably starting to run a little thin on ideas for new episodes hence the falling back on ''gross out humor''. The whole gross out thing worked very good for Ren & Stimpy because Ren & Stimpy were created with gross out as their primary form of humor. Spongebob on the other hand was not created to be a gross out cartoon. So using that type of humor in Spongebob doesn't work as good. That's not to say that this means the end for Spongebob, alot of times they just need fresh minds to come up with new material. Hopefully they will realize this before its to late.



I was born in the late 1980s and grew up watching all the 1990s cartoons so I know were you're coming from. In my opinion Spongebob is one of the last good cartoons on the air. And as far as that test goes...I personally think its BS...Why does everything have to be tested today anyway? Why are we so obsessed with poking and prodding every little part of the human psychee.

Answer 2

Who Created Ren And Stimpy

Answer 3

I don't know if Spongebob is imitating Ren and Stimpy. I used to like Spongebob but now I don't. I kinda like the older episodes though. I believe that all the changes happen after the film came out. Even the animation resembles the film.

Answer 4

they are the two stable, i've got enjoyed ren n stimpy because of the fact it first began n now I even have young little ones i seem watchin sponge bob with them n loving it lol who lives in a pineapple below the sea...