By Kam H-K
Spongebob is a character we all know and love. Since his release in 1999, he’s had us holding our sides in laughter. But there have been 27 years since 1999, and he’s changed a lot in that time. His jokes have changed to be more modern, new rules have come up, and even the way it’s drawn is different. So that raises the question: Did he get better, or worse?
People have often said that older is better than newer, but is that fact, or just the nostalgia talking? First, let’s look at the positives. Spongebob Squarepants has undeniably increased in animation quality over the years, as expected. Lines are clearer, colors are brighter, movement is smoother. But good animation quality doesn’t make a good show. Another thing to look at is the overall comedy of the show.
Spongebob has always been meant to be comedic, every episode filled to the brim with jokes and antics. So many iconic lines and jokes have been said, that are quoted by people daily. What should be noted is that the quoted jokes are almost always from old Spongebob. There are very few references made to the new Spongebob, and that should say a lot about what people think of the jokes.
Spongebob has also always had jokes made for adults to have a laugh as well, flying right over kid’s heads. But over the more recent years, television has gotten much more sensitive about that. The jokes are much lighter and there are nowhere near as many. The show has tailored almost entirely towards the younger audience. Because of this, the jokes have also gotten a lot more niche and childish. The humor is almost impossible to follow for someone of an older generation.
So, taking all of this into account, new Spongebob has potential, but old Spongebob is undeniably better, for adults and for children. It’s more iconic, funnier, easier to watch as a family, and what we’re all used to. Let’s bring back classic Spongebob.
