Description: How many sponges do you know who get their own hit cartoon series? The list may be limited, but SpongeBob stands out from the rest. Relentlessly optimistic SpongeBob SquarePants lives in the undersea township of Bikini Bottom, along with an assortment of zany supporting characters. Among them is his best friend, the lovable - but dim - sea star named Patrick; the irritable perfectionist neighbor named Squidward; and an athletic squirrel named Sandy who lives in an undersea treedome. SpongeBob is employed as a fry cook at the local burger place, The Krusty Krab, which is operated by a penny-pinching crustacean named Mr. Krabs. SpongeBob was launched as three shorts on May 1, 1999. It became a series in the summer of 1999, and quickly became one of the highest-rated cartoons on television, eventually even surpassing Rugrats as Nickelodeon's most popular cartoon. The show has had a wide and loyal fan base. In fact, many celebrities are taken away by SpongeBob's antics! Character Guide: SpongeBob SquarePants - If you could describe SpongeBob with three words they would be naive, optimistic, and square. He never seems to know what is really going on. SpongeBob can never be bored because everything he does he uses his imagination. He works at the Krusty Krab, the home of the Krabby Patty, and is a fry-cook legend. His favorite thing to do (besides flip patties) is playing with his best friend, Patrick. His other friends are his neighbors Squidward and Sandy. He also lives in a pineapple! Patrick Star - Patrick, a chubby pink starfish, is SpongeBob's best friend. They even joined the Best Friends Forever Club. Patrick always comes up with some crazy idea that SpongeBob performs. The failures may show that Patrick isn't the brightest creature in Bikini Bottom. In fact, he's far from it. Squidward Tentacles - Squidward lives next door to SpongeBob and Patrick. All he wants is peace and quiet, but living with those two makes it hard. Squidward is always upset about everything (except when he plays his clarinet), which explains why he goes around being Mr. Grumpy. He lives in a house faced like himself, an octopus. He works as a cashier at the Krusty Krab, and, unlike SpongeBob, he hates his job. He would like to become famous and rich. Sandy Cheeks - Sandy, a brown squirrel who normally wears a spacesuit, lives in an air bubble and is one mad, crazy girl from Texas! She's really good in karate and is the strongest character in Bikini Bottom, so NEVER insult Texas while around her, or she'll fix you real nice. She loves science, too! Mr. Eugene H. Krabs - Mr. Krabs is SpongeBob and Squidward's money hungry boss at the Krusty Krab. He really does love his customers and employees a lot (probably for their money), but he'll do anything to get a few dollars, or even a dime! His hobbies include counting money and saying "Argh!" He also has a crush on Mrs. Puff. Gary The Snail - Gary is a snail, but meows like a cat, and he is SpongeBob's bright and faithful pet companion. He's always guiding SpongeBob and directing SB in the right path. Sheldon J. Plankton - Plankton is the main villain of the show. He's in competition with Mr. Krabs with his own restaurant, the Chum Bucket, but his restaurant never gets many people. He's always coming up with plans to steal the Krabby Patty Formula. But, his college educated plans never work. Larry the Lobster - A buff, sporty lobster. He's always at Goo Lagoon, Bikini Bottom's underwater "beach", and even serves as a Lifeguard there. Mrs. Poppy Puff - Mrs. Puff is SpongeBob's Boating School teacher. She is constantly getting hurt by SpongeBob's bad driving. She has given SpongeBob his boating test 1,258,123 times and SpongeBob has failed every one. She doesn't like to talk about Mr. Puff (he got turned into a lamp). Pearl Krabs - Mr. Krabs' whiny teenage daughter who just happens to be a whale. Mr. Krabs loves Pearl more than anything (except maybe money). Squilliam Fancyson - Squidward's rich, high school rival with one eyebrow. He's quite a snob as well, and loves to brag about his money. Mermaid Man & Barnacle Boy - Mermaid Man & Barnacle Boy are SpongeBob and Patrick's favorite TV superheroes. After having a long-running show, they retired, but soon SpongeBob and Patrick got them back in the game. Mermaid Man is old and cant remember a lot and Barnacle Boy normally has to help him get around. They have appeared in six episodes so far, each named after them. And you can be sure that they'll be back for more. The Dirty Bubble - An enemy of Mermaid Man & Barnacle Boy. He is a giant dirty bubble and his weakness is sharp things. He has appeared in "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy II" & "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy V". ManRay - An enemy of Mermaid Man & Barnacle Boy. He was frozen in tartar sauce in MM + BB's lair and SpongeBob and Patrick freed him. Has appeared in "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy III" & "Mermaid Man & Barnacle Boy V". The Flying Dutchman - The ghost that haunts Bikini Bottom. He's really good at tying knots, except on shoelaces. He loves scaring people. Theme Song: Captain: Are ya ready kids? Kids: Aye, aye, captain! Captain: I can't hear you! Kids: AYE, AYE, CAPTAIN! Captain: Ohhh..... who lives in a pineapple under the sea? Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants! Captain: Absorbent and yellow and porous is he! Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants! Captain: If nautical nonsense be something you wish. Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants! Captain: Then drop on the deck, and flop like a fish! Kids: SpongeBob SquarePants! Captain: Ready? Everyone: SpongeBob SquarePants! SpongeBob SquarePants! SpongeBob SquarePants! Captain: SpongeBob... SquarePants! Ar ar ar ar ar ar ar!!