Back in the day, SpongeBob SquarePants was the big thing that most kids watched after school. And the thing about this cartoon is that it didn’t stay as a childhood cartoon. Many of us, including yours truly, still watch SpongeBob growing up. It’s not just because it’s fun to watch, but it was slowly becoming relatable as we face the realities of life. Not to be dramatic, but SpongeBob kind of grew up with us. What once seemed like silly jokes and nonsense suddenly started to hit a little too close to home.
I used to not love Squidward, but man, he instantly became one of my favorites now that I’m older. I just want to put it out there that this show has layers, and that’s one of the biggest reasons why it’s stuck with so many of us. If you’re wondering how TV streaming of SpongeBob SquarePants became a regular comfort habit for so many adults, here’s why:
In This Article:
1. Characters are extremely relatable.
I’ll be honest. Growing up, I used to be like SpongeBob. I was always so enthusiastic and positive about almost everything, but then life happened. Now, I relate more to the burned-out Squidward who just wants some peace, quiet, and maybe a nap without interruptions. Don’t get me wrong though as I know that I can still relate to SpongeBob in some ways. That’s the thing about this cartoon. It represents different personalities and stages in life.
These cartoon characters are us. At some point, we’ve been the dreamer, the workaholic, the goofball, the lazy, and everything in between. If you’ve been binge-watching SpongeBob as an adult, you’ll know that it’s a mirror that’s hard to ignore. It’s very comforting.
2. It’s a meme machine that keeps on giving.
If you’ve been using various streaming services, you’ll know that the TV series or movies shown there have had their own memes in the past. With SpongeBob, you’ll be surprised at how many memes you can get from the show itself. Some of the best examples would be the Mocking SpongeBob meme (yep, the one with the beak-like appearance), where he repeats something in a silly way to make fun of someone, or the classic Tired SpongeBob slouched over and catching his breath. There’s also the Imagination meme, where he has a rainbow between his hands, which many people now use sarcastically.
The fact that SpongeBob still goes viral now shows how timeless this show is. It has been many years since we started loving it, but even kids of this generation can appreciate how beautiful this cartoon is. If you’ve been watching this show over and over again, you probably have a gem of memes hidden under your sleeve.
3. There are lots of lessons hidden in the jokes.
If you were to ask my 8-year-old self, I would say that this show is hilarious. But that’s it. No meaning whatsoever, just plain hilarious. My adult self would agree, as SpongeBob is really hilarious. But the thing is, beyond the jokes and the laughter, there are actually a lot of hidden life lessons that we can apply to our lives. For instance, those times when SpongeBob keeps failing his boating test over and over again. What did he do? He didn’t give up. That’s persistence, and that’s an important lesson that we need to learn as we grow up.
Or here’s another good example that we can learn from him. SpongeBob is always overly excited to go to work at the Krusty Krab. When you think about it as a kid, it’s just funny because why would you be excited to flip burgers? But as adults, we get to learn that finding joy in little things is what’s important, even in routines that we often take for granted.
4. It can be watched by both adults and kids.
One of the best things about SpongeBob is that it can literally be watched by adults and kids alike. Not all cartoons are like that because some are clearly made for one audience only. A lot of kids’ shows are too simple or cheesy for adults to sit through, while adult animations usually have humor or themes that aren’t suitable for younger viewers.
If you’ve watched SpongeBob with your younger siblings or relatives, you know how fun and comfortable it is to binge-watch this show without worrying about awkward scenes or anything too serious. It’s something you can watch anytime, anywhere, and people would be happy to watch with you. It’s that good.
The Bottom Line
The love people have for SpongeBob SquarePants is justified in many ways. It’s not just an overrated show that went through a wave of nostalgia. It’s actually a cartoon that has been treasured for generations, and up until today, nothing tops this cartoon in my honest opinion. So the next time someone tells you they still watch SpongeBob, don’t be surprised. It’s just something that constantly brings joy no matter how old you get.
