Pizza Delivery (SpongeBob SquarePants)

Last updated

"Pizza Delivery"
SpongeBob SquarePants episode
Pizza Delivery (SpongeBob).jpg
Title card
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 5a
Directed by Sherm Cohen
Written bySherm Cohen
Aaron Springer
Peter Burns
Production code2515-107
Original air dateAugust 14, 1999 (1999-08-14)
Episode chronology
← Previous
"Boating School"		Next →
"Home Sweet Pineapple"
SpongeBob SquarePants (season 1)
List of episodes

"Pizza Delivery" is the first segment of the fifth episode of the first season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants . It first aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on August 14, 1999. The segment was written by Sherm Cohen, Aaron Springer, and Peter Burns, and the animation was directed by Sean Dempsey. Cohen also functioned as storyboard director, and Springer worked as storyboard artist.

Contents

In the episode, the Krusty Krab receives a call from a customer ordering a pizza, and Mr. Krabs sends SpongeBob and Squidward to deliver it. When the two employees become stranded in the middle of a desert, they get into numerous predicaments. Along the way, SpongeBob tries to show Squidward the lifestyle of the pioneers.

In pitching the show to Nickelodeon, creator Stephen Hillenburg originally wanted the idea of having the characters on a road trip, inspired by the 1989 film Powwow Highway . However, he eventually gave up the idea before resurrecting it in "Pizza Delivery". The episode received critical acclaim, with most considering it one of the show's best episodes.

Plot

SpongeBob (right) beatboxes while he and Squidward (left) deliver the pizza on foot in the middle of a desert after losing their boatmobile Pizza Delivery (SpongeBob and Squidward).jpg
SpongeBob (right) beatboxes while he and Squidward (left) deliver the pizza on foot in the middle of a desert after losing their boatmobile

During closing time at the Krusty Krab, Squidward answers a last-minute phone call. While he is about to reject the order due to the restaurant being closed, Mr. Krabs accepts the order, which asks for a pizza to be delivered to the customer's house. After Squidward argues that the restaurant does not serve pizza or deliver, Mr. Krabs makes a pizza out of Krabby Patties and sends SpongeBob and Squidward to deliver it.

Squidward makes SpongeBob drive the delivery boat, despite him still being in boating school. Attempting to drive, SpongeBob sends the boat in reverse and drives it out to the desert, where it runs out of gas. The two continue their delivery on foot when SpongeBob hears a truck approaching. He attempts to get the driver's attention using a "pioneer trick," but is almost run over and rescued by Squidward. Later, they are caught in a tornado, getting sucked in due to SpongeBob's refusal to let go of the pizza. After landing, the two are unable to find the road, and SpongeBob uses another pioneer trick to find civilization by observing moss on a rock. Dismissing the tricks as nonsense, Squidward forces the group to walk in the opposite direction of the moss, unaware that SpongeBob's tip was correct.

As they continue walking, SpongeBob sings a song about the Krusty Krab pizza, annoying Squidward. When the two get hungry, Squidward tries convincing SpongeBob to give him the pizza, while SpongeBob insists that it must be delivered to the customer. While being chased by Squidward for the pizza, SpongeBob notices a giant rock, telling Squidward that they can ride it "like the pioneers" to the customer's house. Squidward is outraged and insists that the pioneer tips are ridiculous, while SpongeBob runs him over with the rock.

When they arrive at the house, SpongeBob approaches the door with the pizza. The customer is upset that SpongeBob did not bring him a drink (despite not ordering one) and refuses the order. Squidward sees SpongeBob and attempts to console him, but SpongeBob collapses to the ground, sobbing. Furious of how his co-worker was treated unfairly, Squidward takes the pizza, marches up to the ungrateful customer and then purposely slams it into his face as payback. He returns to SpongeBob saying that the delivery is completed, and a cheerful SpongeBob drives the rock back to the Krusty Krab, which is right across from the customer's house. The episode ends with a dismayed Squidward and a black-out.

Production

"Pizza Delivery" was written by Sherm Cohen, Aaron Springer and Peter Burns, with Sean Dempsey serving as animation director. Cohen also functioned as storyboard director, and Springer worked as storyboard artist. [1] The episode originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on August 14, 1999. [2]

Series creator Stephen Hillenburg's original idea for the series pitch was that the writers would write a storyboard for a possible episode and pitch it to Nickelodeon. [3] Hillenburg wanted to write an episode with SpongeBob and Squidward on a road trip, inspired by the 1989 film Powwow Highway . [3] Derek Drymon said "It's a road trip movie starring Gary Farmer, who is an innocent, kid-like character who is traveling with a curmudgeon." [3] Eventually, the idea developed while they were working on it, but Hillenburg gave up the idea for the initial pitch. [3] Instead, they used another idea for the pitch which was in the series pilot episode called "Help Wanted". [3] Writers Aaron Springer and Sherm Cohen resurrected the road trip idea during the first season and used a lot of the ideas for "Pizza Delivery". [3] This episode was also the first one written together by Springer and Cohen, and they would continue to work on episodes together until midway of the first season.

"Pizza Delivery" was released on the DVD compilation called SpongeBob SquarePants: Christmas on September 30, 2003. [4] [5] [6] It was also included in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete 1st Season DVD released on October 28, 2003. [7] [8] [9] On September 22, 2009, "Pizza Delivery" was released on the SpongeBob SquarePants: The First 100 Episodes DVD, alongside all the episodes of seasons one through five. [10] [11] On April 29, 2014, "Pizza Delivery" was released on the "SpongeBob, You're Fired!" episode compilation DVD. [12]

Reception

"Pizza Delivery" received critical acclaim and is frequently cited as one of the show's best episodes. Nancy Basile of About.com ranked the episode No. 2 on her "Best SpongeBob SquarePants Episodes" list. She said "[It] is the perfect episode to depict SpongeBob's enthusiasm for all things Krusty Krab against Squidward's apathy and cynical nature." Basile cited her favorite scene in the episode where "After the customer slams his door in SpongeBob's face, Squidward makes sure he swallows the pizza 'in one bite.'" [13] Jordan Moreau, Katcy Stephan and David Viramontes of Variety ranked "Pizza Delivery" the third best episode of the show. [14]

Giving the episode 5 out of 5 stars, Bill Treadway of DVD Verdict said the episode is his "personal favorite of all the episodes", [15] writing that "this one is loaded with enough unique twists and hilarious comedy to bear repeat viewings." [15]

Emily Estep of WeGotThisCovered.com ranked the episode No. 1 on her "Top 10 Episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants" list, [16] saying "But – the pizza is for the customer, and flawless employee SpongeBob won't let Squidward eat any of it." [16] She wrote "[The episode] has the undervalued nostalgia of being episode five of the entire series and it benefits from the aforementioned chemistry of Spongebob and Squidward." [16] She also praised the episode as "an in-depth look at their [SpongeBob and Squidward] relationship, and it set the tone for just how strange the show could be." [16] Estep lauded the hitchhiking dances by SpongeBob, saying "These moves are amusing and charming, while Squidward's bitterness is easy to relate to." [16] In 2009, "Pizza Delivery" was chosen by viewers on Nick.com as the No. 1 episode during a television marathon called "The Ultimate SpongeBob SpongeBash". [17]

In the iTunes collection, "SpongeBob SquarePants: Tom Kenny's Top 20", Tom Kenny, the voice actor for SpongeBob, lists it as among his all-time favorite episodes. He writes in the description for the episode:

"The classic setup: SpongeBob and Squidward lost in the desert while delivering a pizza to a customer's home. Squidward just wants to get out of there, but SpongeBob sees his pizza delivery as a sacred oath between himself and the customer. I like when SpongeBob singing to himself - 'The Krusty Krab pizza is the pizza' ...turns into a bizarre gospel jingle singer-'Krusty Kray -ya ya-yaaa-aaab!'" [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Krabs</span> Fictional animated SpongeBob SquarePants character

Eugene Harold Krabs, better known as simply Mr. Krabs, is a fictional character in the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. He is voiced by actor Clancy Brown and first appeared in the series' pilot episode "Help Wanted" on May 1, 1999. The character was created and designed by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Squidward Tentacles</span> Fictional character from SpongeBob SquarePants

Squidward J. Q. Tentacles is a fictional character voiced by actor Rodger Bumpass in the Nickelodeon animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. Squidward was created and designed by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. He first appeared on television in the series' pilot episode "Help Wanted" on May 1, 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pearl Krabs</span> Fictional animated SpongeBob SquarePants character

Pearl Krabs is a fictional character in the Nickelodeon animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. She is voiced by actress Lori Alan and first appeared in the season one episode "Squeaky Boots" on September 17, 1999. She was created by the late marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg, who was inspired to design a whale character while supervising whale watches at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, California.

<i>The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie</i> 2004 film by Stephen Hillenburg

The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie is a 2004 American live-action/animated adventure comedy film based on the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It was co-written, co-produced, and directed by series creator Stephen Hillenburg and features the series' regular voice cast consisting of Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Carolyn Lawrence, and Mary Jo Catlett. Guest stars Alec Baldwin, Scarlett Johansson, and Jeffrey Tambor voice new characters, and David Hasselhoff appears in live-action as himself. In the film, Plankton enacts a plan to discredit his business nemesis Mr. Krabs, steal the Krabby Patty secret formula and take over the world by stealing King Neptune's crown and framing Mr. Krabs for the crime. SpongeBob and Patrick team up to retrieve the crown from Shell City to save Mr. Krabs from Neptune's wrath and their world from Plankton's rule.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krusty Krab</span> Fictional restaurant in SpongeBob SquarePants

The Krusty Krab is a fictional fast food restaurant in the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It is famous for its signature burger, the Krabby Patty, the formula to which is a closely guarded trade secret.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Band Geeks</span> 15th episode of the 2nd season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Band Geeks" is the second segment of the 15th episode of the second season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on September 7, 2001. It was written by C.H. Greenblatt, Aaron Springer, and Merriwether Williams, and the animation was directed by Frank Weiss. Springer served as director, and Greenblatt served as storyboard artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chocolate with Nuts</span> 12th episode of the 3rd season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Chocolate with Nuts" is the first half of the twelfth episode of the third season and the 51st overall episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It was written by the storyboard directors, Paul Tibbitt and Kaz, alongside Kent Osborne and Merriwether Williams with Andrew Overtoom as animation director and Carson Kugler, William Reiss and Mike Roth serving as storyboard artists. The segment was copyrighted in 2002 and aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on June 1 of that year. In this episode, SpongeBob and Patrick become entrepreneurs in an attempt to live a fancy life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sailor Mouth</span> 18th episode of the 2nd season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Sailor Mouth" is the first segment of the 18th episode of the second season, and the 38th overall episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on September 21, 2001. In the episode, SpongeBob reads a "bad word" off a dumpster behind the Krusty Krab, but does not know what it means, which gets him into trouble with others.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> American animated television series

SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series created by marine science educator and animator Stephen Hillenburg that premiered on Nickelodeon as a sneak peek after the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards on May 1, 1999, and officially premiered on July 17, 1999. It chronicles the adventures of the title character and his aquatic friends in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The series received worldwide critical acclaim, and has gained popularity by its second season. As of 2019, the series is the fifth-longest-running American animated series. Its popularity made it a multimedia franchise, the highest rated Nickelodeon series, and the most profitable intellectual property for Paramount Consumer Products. By 2019, it had generated over $13 billion in merchandising revenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krusty Krab Training Video</span> 10th episode of the 3rd season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Krusty Krab Training Video" is the second segment of the tenth episode of the third season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, and the second part of the 50th episode overall, as well as the show's 100th segment. The episode was written by Aaron Springer, C. H. Greenblatt, and Kent Osborne, and the animation was directed by Frank Weiss. Springer and Greenblatt also served as storyboard directors, and Caleb Meurer served as storyboard artist. The segment originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on May 10, 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Best Day Ever</span> 80th episode of the 4th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Best Day Ever" is the first segment of the 20th episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, and the 80th episode overall. The episode was written by Nate Cash, Tuck Tucker, and Steven Banks, and the animation was directed by Larry Leichliter; Cash and Tucker also functioned as storyboard directors. It originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on November 10, 2006.

Friend or Foe (<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i>) 1st episode of the 5th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Friend or Foe" is the first episode of the fifth season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, and the 81st episode overall. It was written by Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, Mike Mitchell, Steven Banks, and Tim Hill, and the animation was directed by supervising director Alan Smart and Tom Yasumi; Alexander, Cervas and Mitchell also functioned as storyboard directors. The episode originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on April 13, 2007.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, created by former marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg, aired on Nickelodeon from May 1, 1999, to March 3, 2001, and consists of 20 half-hour episodes. The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The show features the voices of Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, Mr. Lawrence, Jill Talley, Carolyn Lawrence, Mary Jo Catlett, and Lori Alan. Among the first guest stars to appear on the show were Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway voicing the superhero characters of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy, respectively.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, created by Stephen Hillenburg, aired on Nickelodeon from October 20, 2000, to July 26, 2003, and consists of 20 half-hour episodes. The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The season was executive produced by series creator Hillenburg, who also acted as the showrunner.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, created by Stephen Hillenburg, aired on Nickelodeon from October 5, 2001, to October 11, 2004, and consists of 20 half-hour episodes. The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The season was executive produced by series creator Hillenburg, who also acted as the showrunner. Hillenburg halted production on the show to work on the 2004 film adaptation of the series, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. After production on the film, Hillenburg resigned from the show as its showrunner, and appointed staff writer, Paul Tibbitt, to overtake the position. Season three was originally set to be the final season of the series, with the film acting as a series finale, but the success prevented the series from ending, leading to a fourth season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What Ever Happened to SpongeBob?</span> 18th episode of the 5th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"What Ever Happened to SpongeBob?" is the 18th episode of the fifth season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, and the 98th episode overall. It first aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on October 13, 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">To SquarePants or Not to SquarePants</span> 16th episode of the 6th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"To SquarePants or Not to SquarePants" is an episode from the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, acting as the second half of the 16th episode of the sixth season, and the 116th episode overall. It first aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on July 17, 2009, and was written by Luke Brookshier, Nate Cash and Steven Banks.

Help Wanted (<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i>) 1st episode of the 1st season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Help Wanted" is the premiere and pilot episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It first aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on May 1, 1999, following the television broadcast of the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards. The episode follows the series' eponymous protagonist SpongeBob, a yellow anthropomorphic sea sponge, attempting to get a job at a local fast food restaurant called the Krusty Krab.

Graveyard Shift (<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i>) 16th episode of the 2nd season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Graveyard Shift" is the first part of the 16th episode of the second season, and the 36th episode overall, of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. The episode was written by Mr. Lawrence, Jay Lender and Dan Povenmire, and the animation was directed by Sean Dempsey. Lender and Povenmire also served as storyboard directors. The episode was copyrighted in 2001 and aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on September 6, 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpongeBob, You're Fired</span> 11th episode of the 9th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"SpongeBob, You're Fired" is a television special of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, serving as the eleventh episode of the ninth season and the 189th overall episode. It was written by Marc Ceccarelli, Luke Brookshier, and Mr. Lawrence, with supervising director Alan Smart and Tom Yasumi serving as animation directors. Originally premiering in Greece on July 3, 2013, it premiered on Nickelodeon in the United States that same year on November 11. In this episode, SpongeBob gets fired from the Krusty Krab after Mr. Krabs discovers he can save a nickel by letting him go. Subsequently, SpongeBob's attempts to apply at other restaurants end in humiliating failure.

References

  1. ↑ SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete 1st Season ("Pizza Delivery" credits) (DVD). United States: Paramount Home Entertainment/Nickelodeon. October 28, 2003.
  2. ↑ "SpongeBob SquarePants: Season 1, Episode 5". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Heintjes, Tom (September 21, 2012). "The Oral History of SpongeBob SquarePants". Hogan's Alley . Archived from the original on August 31, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  4. ↑ SpongeBob SquarePants: Christmas. DVD. Paramount Home Entertainment, 2003.
  5. ↑ Bovberg, Jason (October 6, 2003). "SpongeBob Squarepants: Christmas". DVD Talk. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  6. ↑ "SpongeBob SquarePants - Christmas". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  7. ↑ SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete 1st Season. DVD. Paramount Home Entertainment, 2003.
  8. ↑ Bovberg, Jason (October 26, 2003). "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete First Season". DVD Talk . Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  9. ↑ "SpongeBob SquarePants - Season 1". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  10. ↑ SpongeBob SquarePants: The First 100 Episodes. DVD. Paramount Home Entertainment, 2009.
  11. ↑ Lacey, Gord (September 29, 2009). "SpongeBob SquarePants - The First 100 Episodes (Seasons 1-5) Review". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  12. ↑ Lambert, David (January 28, 2014). "SpongeBob SquarePants-Time to Hang Up His Spatula: 'SpongeBob, You're Fired!' on DVD". TVShowsOnDVD.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  13. ↑ Basile, Nancy. "Best 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Episodes". About.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  14. ↑ Moreau, Jordan; Stephan, Katcy; Viramontes, David (June 8, 2021). "15 Best 'SpongeBob Squarepants' Episodes, Ranked". Variety . Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  15. 1 2 Treadway, Bill (November 10, 2003). "SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete First Season". DVD Verdict. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 Estep, Emily (December 5, 2011). "Top 10 Episodes Of Spongebob Squarepants". WeGotThisCovered.com. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Pizza Delivery". The Ultimate SpongeBob SpongeBash. July 17–19, 2009. Nickelodeon.
  18. ↑ "SpoongeBob SquarePants: Tom Kenny's Top 20". iTunes. 2009. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.