SpongeBob, You're Fired

Last updated

"SpongeBob, You're Fired"
SpongeBob SquarePants episode
SpongeBob You're Fired Title Card.png
Title card
Episode no.Season 9
Episode 11
Directed by Alan Smart (animation and supervising)
Tom Yasumi (animation)
Marc Ceccarelli (storyboard)
Luke Brookshier (storyboard)
Written byMarc Ceccarelli
Luke Brookshier
Mr. Lawrence
Production code325-941/325-942 [1]
Original air dateNovember 11, 2013 (2013-11-11)
Running time22 minutes
Episode chronology
 Previous
"Yeti Krabs"
Next 
"Lost in Bikini Bottom"
SpongeBob SquarePants (season 9)
List of episodes

"SpongeBob, You're Fired" is a television special [2] of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants , serving as the eleventh episode (ninth on Paramount +) of the ninth season and the 189th overall episode. It was written by Marc Ceccarelli, Luke Brookshier, and Mr. Lawrence (the former two also serving as storyboard directors), with supervising director Alan Smart and Tom Yasumi serving as animation directors. Originally premiering in Greece on July 3, 2013, [3] it premiered on Nickelodeon in the United States that same year on November 11. In this episode, SpongeBob is dismissed from his job at the Krusty Krab after his boss, Mr. Krabs, discovers that he can save a nickel by letting him go. Subsequently, SpongeBob's attempts to apply at other restaurants end in humiliating failure.

Contents

"SpongeBob, You're Fired" was first screened at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con. Prior to broadcast on television, the episode created a level of controversy for its depiction of unemployment. It eventually sparked a political debate when Media Matters for America and Al Sharpton of MSNBC accused both the New York Post and Fox News of using the episode "to slam poor people who use social services". [4] [5] [6] [7] [3] The premiere of "SpongeBob, You're Fired" drew 5.19 million viewers, [8] the biggest audience viewership for a SpongeBob SquarePants episode in two years since "Frozen Face-Off" in July 2011.

Plot

A scene from the episode depicting a depressed SpongeBob, while being encouraged by Patrick for the "glorious unemployment" SpongeBob, You're Fired! scene.jpg
A scene from the episode depicting a depressed SpongeBob, while being encouraged by Patrick for the "glorious unemployment"

At the Krusty Krab, owner Mr. Krabs dismisses SpongeBob from his fry cook position to save a nickel, leaving SpongeBob jobless. SpongeBob's best friend and neighbor Patrick tells him the benefits of being unemployed. The two have a day of "glorious unemployment", but it ends with SpongeBob realizing that he needs a job. Over the next few days, SpongeBob tries getting a job at a hot dog joint, a pizzeria, a taqueria, and an Asian noodle house. He is fired every time for making food themed around Krabby Patties, instead of what each restaurant specializes in. However, when the patty items are a hit with the customers, the desperate restaurant managers fight with each other to get him back.

A mysterious person in a Krabby Patty costume arrives, defeats the restaurant managers, and takes SpongeBob back to the Krusty Krab. The person in the Krabby Patty costume is revealed to be Squidward, who tells SpongeBob that the restaurant has faltered ever since Mr. Krabs fired SpongeBob; Both he and Mr. Krabs (who declares that he should never have let SpongeBob go) ask SpongeBob to be the fry cook again. With his confidence restored, SpongeBob gladly accepts his old job, and brings back all the customers, even the restaurant managers who previously fought over him. At the end of the episode, Mr. Krabs installs a pay toilet that costs a nickel to use, thus making up the nickel that he previously lost by paying SpongeBob.

Promotion

On July 21, 2013, Tom Kenny presented an event called "SpongeCon 2013: The Year of the Fan" at San Diego Comic-Con in 2013. [9] [10] [11] The event hosted the official and exclusive sneak preview of "SpongeBob, You're Fired" and the screening of the SpongeBob SquareShorts global short film competition finalists. [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] Prior to the official preview, a sneak peek of the episode was featured on Nick Studio 10 , hosted by Noah Grossman and Gabrielle "Gabby" Senn, on June 10, 2013. [18] A "SpongeBob expert" named Sophia said that "the unthinkable [will] happen to SpongeBob [in this episode]". [19] She remarked that the episode is "pretty top secret". [20]

In an October 30, 2013 article of the New York Post , it was first reported that "SpongeBob, You're Fired" would air on Nickelodeon in the United States on November 11, 2013. [21] [22]

As part of the marketing campaign for the episode, Nickelodeon debuted an online game of the same name. [23] [24] Beginning November 6, players could visit "nick.com/spongebob" to play the game. [23] [24] In the gameplay, players must accurately cook the orders of the diners while juggling each server's impatience level in order to keep them "happy as possible". [23] [24] Furthermore, Nickelodeon published a collection called SpongeBob SquarePants: Get to Work! on iTunes. [23] [24] On November 6, Nickelodeon debuted the full-length trailer of the episode to garner more exposure. [25] Earlier that day, The Hollywood Reporter exclusively debuted the 45-second teaser. [25] The source also released in advance an exclusive 90-second trailer of the episode, featuring SpongeBob getting the ax from Mr. Krabs, on November 4. [25] [26]

Ratings

"SpongeBob, You're Fired" first aired on Nickelodeon (Greece) on July 3, 2013. [3] In the United States, it premiered on November 11. The original U.S. airing of the episode on Nickelodeon brought in the biggest audience viewership for a SpongeBob SquarePants episode in two years, with 5.186 million viewers tuning in overall. [27] [28] [29] The episode tied with CBS' Hostages , the "poorest performer", from the "Big Four" of the night. [28] However, across cable, the show outperformed The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (0.8 adults), Teen Mom (0.7 adults) and The Daily Show (0.6 adults). [28] The broadcast was the second most viewed show among all the day's cable programs (a Monday Night Football contest between the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on ESPN came first). [28] [29] The episode topped the 2–11, 6–11 and 9–14 in the kids demographics. [27] [28]

Reception and controversy

The episode subtly introduces a couple of hot-button issues, including the worth of social services, labor laws that caused SpongeBob's boss, Mr. Krabs, to fire his best employee, and more [...]

Paul Bond, The Hollywood Reporter [26]

Since its initial broadcast, "SpongeBob, You're Fired" was infamous for dialogue referencing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps benefit). In a scene from the episode, Patrick tries to show SpongeBob "the benefits of being unemployed", to which SpongeBob replies, "Unemployment may be fun for you, but I need to get a job." The scene was meant to demonstrate the title character's "eternal optimism and willingness to get back to work...in a way that's still funny and relatable". [30] However, some political activists claimed the "notorious line" was a "slam" to the Food Stamps benefit. [30] [31] [32] A report by The Hollywood Reporter alleged that the episode may have had a political agenda about the social safety net. It added that "It's not the first time SpongeBob has waded into social commentary, though usually when it does, it bugs the right and supports the left." The Hollywood Reporter cited the previous episodes "SpongeBob's Last Stand" and "Selling Out" for where "environmentalism is glorified" and "large businesses are demonized". [26]

According to various sources, the story line is said to be "symbolic of a harsh economic climate". [33] [34] [35] The plot eventually sparked a political debate for its depiction of unemployment. [31] [36] Prior to the premiere, the New York Post published an article on the episode. Critics accused the author, Andrea Morabito, of attacking "poor people" who rely on government assistance, referring to individuals who rely on food stamps as "mooching off the social services" and applauding SpongeBob for instead quickly returning to "gainful employment". [4] [5] Fox News's Heather Nauert of Fox & Friends stated that "the harsh economic climate has hit the underwater community", [5] but "instead of mooching off social services at Bikini Bottom...SpongeBob sets out to return to the work force". [37]

After the New York Post and Fox News commented on the episode, Media Matters for America, a politically progressive media watchdog group, responded. [5] [26] The group accused the media sources, both owned by media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, of using the episode "to slam poor people who use social services". [4] [5] In response to Fox News, Media Matters immediately posted an item online titled "Right-Wing Media Use SpongeBob SquarePants' Firing To Attack Social Safety Net", arguing that the two "are using the firing of fictional cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants to attack the social safety net and those who rely on it". [5] [26] [38] Media Matters was "also particularly bothered by [a] line from The Post story: 'Lest he sit around idly, mooching off the social services of Bikini Bottom, a depressed SpongeBob sets out to return to gainful employment wherever he can find it', reporter Andrea Morabito wrote. 'No spoilers—but it's safe to say that our hero doesn't end up on food stamps, as his patty-making skills turn out to be in high demand.'" [5] [26]

Civil rights activist and talk show host Al Sharpton of MSNBC remarked in the October 31 episode of PoliticsNation that "The right-wingers found a new hero in its war against the poor [...] SpongeBob SquarePants. That's right. SpongeBob SquarePants [...] So a sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea doesn't need government help. That means no one does?" [6] [7] [3]

Nickelodeon declined to comment on the issue caused by the message of the episode. [3] However, Russell Hicks of Nickelodeon said the show is "tapping into the news of the moment, but did not specifically address any political leanings or ideologies within the episode." In a statement, Hicks said "Like all really great cartoons, part of SpongeBob's long-running success has been its ability to tap into the zeitgeist while still being really funny for our audience. As always, despite this momentary setback, SpongeBob's eternal optimism prevails, which is always a great message for everyone." [32]

Merchandising

Nickelodeon and Random House released a book based on the episode called You're Fired!. The book is illustrated by David Aikins and was released on January 7, 2014. [39] [40] "SpongeBob, You're Fired!" was released on a DVD compilation of the same name on April 29, 2014, by Nickelodeon and Paramount Home Entertainment. [41] The DVD includes the episode itself, "Neptune's Spatula", "Welcome to the Chum Bucket", "The Original Fry Cook", "Le Big Switch", "Model Sponge", "Employee of the Month", "Bossy Boots", "Krusty Dogs", "License to Milkshake", "Help Wanted", "Wet Painters", "Krusty Krab Training Video", and "Pizza Delivery", all of which are episodes centered around the Krusty Krab. On October 10, 2017, "SpongeBob, You're Fired!" was released on the SpongeBob SquarePants: The Complete Ninth Season DVD, alongside all episodes of the ninth season. [42] On June 4, 2019, "SpongeBob, You're Fired!" was released on the SpongeBob SquarePants: The Next 100 Episodes DVD, alongside all the episodes of seasons six through nine. [43]

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">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 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.

<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. In the television show the restaurant 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">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 first aired 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.

<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.

Pizza Delivery (<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i>) 5th episode of the 1st season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"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.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab</i> 2006 video game

SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab is an action-adventure platform game released for Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS and Wii by THQ. An Xbox version may have been planned at some point, but was cancelled for unknown reasons. The PS2, GameCube, and Wii versions are all ports of the same game developed by Blitz Games, while the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PC versions were separate games developed by WayForward Technologies and AWE Games respectively. It is based on the Nickelodeon animated sitcom SpongeBob SquarePants, and stars the title character, his best friend Patrick Star and their enemy Plankton as they journey to nine different worlds, supposedly inside the dreams of the characters. The Wii version was a North American launch title. It is also the first SpongeBob game released in Japan, but was released under the title SpongeBob, to mark it as the first video game in the SpongeBob series to have a Japanese release. The PC version of the game is titled SpongeBob SquarePants: Nighty Nightmare.

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.

<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.

<i>SpongeBobs Truth or Square</i> 2009 made-for-television comedy special

SpongeBob's Truth or Square is a 2009 made-for-television comedy television film and an hour-long episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants that was produced as the 123rd and 124th episodes of the series. The special originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on November 6, 2009, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the television series. This is the second SpongeBob SquarePants television film, following SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis. Its animation was directed by supervising director Alan Smart, Andrew Overtoom and Tom Yasumi.

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

"Help Wanted" is the series 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SpongeBob's Last Stand</span> 8th episode of the 7th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"SpongeBob's Last Stand" is the eighth episode of the seventh season and the 134th overall episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. The episode was originally released on DVD on March 16, 2010, and aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on April 22, 2010, in celebration of Earth Day.

<i>SpongeBob SquarePants</i> season 9 Season of television series

The ninth season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, created by animator and former marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg, originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States from July 21, 2012, to February 27, 2017, and contained 26 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 and writer Paul Tibbitt, the latter of whom also acted as the showrunner for the first 11 episodes of the season. Starting with "Lost in Bikini Bottom", Marc Ceccarelli and Vincent Waller became the supervising producers and showrunners and served in that position for the rest of the season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Clash of Triton</span> 26th episode of the 6th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"The Clash of Triton", also known as "Neptune's Party", is the 26th and final episode of the sixth season of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants, and the 126th episode of the series overall. It originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on July 5, 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Great Patty Caper</span> 17th episode of the 7th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"The Great Patty Caper", also known as "Mystery with a Twistery" and "Krabby Patty No More", is the 17th episode of the seventh season and the 143rd overall episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. The episode originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on November 11, 2010. The series follows the adventures of the title character in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. In the episode, the key to the vault holding the Krabby Patty recipe gets lost and SpongeBob must locate it before the recipe is lost forever.

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">Squid Noir</span> 9th episode of the 11th season of SpongeBob SquarePants

"Squid Noir" is the first half of the ninth episode of the eleventh season and the 224th overall episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. The episode originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on November 10, 2017. This episode aired as part of a premiere week of new SpongeBob episodes called "You Bring the Color". During the premiere week, users could color in frames from the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song online and had a chance for them to be used in the opening sequence. The original American airing of "Squid Noir" featured each frame of the last minute of the episode also colored by viewers. The episode revolves around Squidward's clarinet suddenly disappearing prior to his open mic performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krabby Patty</span> Fictional hamburger

The Krabby Patty is a hamburger sold by the fictional restaurant the Krusty Krab in the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. Created by the restaurant's founder Eugene Krabs and his archenemy Plankton, it is what the main character SpongeBob cooks throughout his job as a fry cook, as well as the restaurant's trademark food and most famous burger in Bikini Bottom. A prominent storyline throughout the series is Krabs' nemesis Plankton trying to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula. This running gag was given a backstory in the special "Friend or Foe", where it is revealed that Krabs and Plankton created the Krabby Patty to compete with the health-violating restaurant Stinky Burgers.

References

General
Specific
  1. SpongeBob SquarePants Episode Guide -Nicktoons Prods [ dead link ]
  2. Grossman & Sean 2013, 0:11–0:18.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Suebsaeng, Asawin (November 5, 2013). "Former Gay Propagandist SpongeBob SquarePants Is Now a Conservative Darling". Mother Jones . Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 "Entertainment- Fox News Uses 'SpongeBob' Episode to Attack Poor People (Video)". U.S. Pro Cycling News. October 31, 2013. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Groch-Begley, Hanna (October 31, 2013). "Right-Wing Media Use SpongeBob SquarePants' Firing To Attack Social Safety Net". Media Matters for America. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Media Matters Staff (October 31, 2013). "MSNBC's Sharpton Ridicules Right-Wing Media For Using SpongeBob To Attack Social Safety Net". Media Matters for America. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  7. 1 2 "PoliticsNation: SpongeBob and the poor?". MSNBC. October 31, 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  8. Bibel, Sara (November 12, 2013). "Monday Cable Ratings: Monday Night Football Wins Night, Love & Hip Hop, WWE Raw, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills & More". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  9. "Comic-Con 2013 schedule: See what's happening Sunday". Vogue Entertainment Group. July 7, 2013. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  10. Napier, Jim (July 16, 2013). "Nickelodeon Announces Comic-Con Schedule". ScreenInvasion.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  11. Bryne, Craig (July 7, 2013). "Comic-Con Sunday TV Programs To Include Supernatural, Doctor Who & More". Ksite TV. Archived from the original on July 9, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  12. "Comic-Con 2013: The TV Schedule (Updated)". The Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  13. Amidi, Amid (July 9, 2013). "Your Guide to Animation Events at San Diego Comic-Con (Days 3 and 4)". Cartoon Brew . Archived from the original on July 21, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  14. "SpongeCon 2013: The Year of the Fan". ComicCon2013. Archived from the original on August 22, 2013. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  15. "Comic-Con 2013: Day 4 Schedule". Deadline.com. July 7, 2013. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2013.
  16. Brooks, Tamara (July 15, 2013). "Nickelodeon Panels & Signings at SDCC '13". MisfitsOfSciFi.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2013.
  17. "Nickelodeon at Comic-Con 2013". San Diego Comic-Con. July 15, 2013. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  18. Grossman & Sean 2013.
  19. Grossman & Sean 2013, 0:19–0:21.
  20. Grossman & Sean 2013, 1:09–1:11.
  21. Morabito, Andrea (October 30, 2013). "SpongeBob fired in harsh underwater economy". New York Post. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  22. Chumley, Cheryl K. (October 31, 2013). "You're fired: SpongeBob SquarePants gets taste of economy". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on November 1, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  23. 1 2 3 4 Liu, Ed (November 6, 2013). "PR: "SpongeBob, You're Fired!" Debuts November 11, 2013, on Nickelodeon". Toon Zone. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  24. 1 2 3 4 Beck, Jerry (November 5, 2013). "Spongebob, You're Fired!". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  25. 1 2 3 Ng, Philinia (November 6, 2013). "'SpongeBob SquarePants': Nickelodeon Debuts 'You're Fired!' Trailer (Exclusive Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2013.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bond, Paul (November 4, 2013). "SpongeBob's Firing Sparks Political Debate (Exclusive Video)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  27. 1 2 Weisman, Jon (November 12, 2013). "'SpongeBob' Loses Job, Earns Big Ratings for Nickelodeon". Variety . Archived from the original on November 17, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 O'Connell, Michael (November 12, 2013). "TV Ratings: A Lot of Adults Watched Monday's 'SpongeBob SquarePants'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  29. 1 2 Bibel, Sara (November 12, 2013). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night Football' Wins Night, 'Love & Hip Hop', 'WWE Raw','Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' & More". TV by the Numbers. Zap2it. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  30. 1 2 "SpongeBob SquarePants Fired, Sparks Political Debate [Video]". The Inquisitr. November 5, 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  31. 1 2 "SpongeBob gets fired, prompts political debate about food stamps". MSN. Archived from the original on November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  32. 1 2 McCalmont, Lucy (November 5, 2013). "Jobless SpongeBob nets fans on right". Politico . Archived from the original on November 8, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  33. "SpongeBob SquarePants ignites real-life media firestorm over social services after losing his job at the Krusty Crab". National Post. November 5, 2013. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  34. Weisman, Aly (November 4, 2013). "SpongeBob Gets Fired From His Job Amid 'Harsh Underwater Economy' And Sparks A Real-Life Political Debate". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 9, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  35. "SpongeBob Gets Fired From His Job Amid 'Harsh Underwater Economy' And Sparks A Real-Life Political Debate". San Francisco Chronicle. November 4, 2013. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  36. Weisman, Aly (November 4, 2013). "SpongeBob Gets Fired From His Job Amid 'Harsh Underwater Economy' And Sparks A Real-Life Political Debate". Seattle Post-Intelligencer . Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved November 5, 2013.
  37. "Hannah Groch-Begley: Right-Wing Media Use SpongeBob SquarePants' Firing To Attack Social Safety Net". ThisNY.com. October 31, 2013. Archived from the original on November 4, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2013.
  38. Feldman, Josh (November 5, 2013). "Who's Not Collecting Welfare Under the Sea? Spongebob Squarepants!". Mediaite. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  39. "You're Fired! (SpongeBob SquarePants)". Random House. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  40. "You're Fired! (spongebob Squarepants)". Indigo. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  41. 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.
  42. "SpongeBob SquarePants DVD news: Announcement for Season 9 | TVShowsOnDVD.com". Archived from the original on July 26, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  43. "Archived copy". Facebook . Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
Listen to this article (13 minutes)
Sound-icon.svg
This audio file was created from a revision of this article dated 4 May 2017 (2017-05-04), and does not reflect subsequent edits.