Synopsis

Deep down in the Pacific Ocean in the subterranean city of Bikini Bottom lives a square yellow sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants. SpongeBob lives in a pineapple with his pet snail, Gary, loves his job as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab, and has a knack for getting into all kinds of trouble without really trying. When he's not getting on the nerves of his cranky next door neighbor Squidward,… SpongeBob can usually be found smack in the middle of all sorts of strange situations with his best buddy, the simple yet lovable starfish, Patrick, or his thrill-seeking surfer-girl squirrel pal, Sandy Cheeks.

Although Drymon would go on to have a significant influence on SpongeBob, he was not offered a role on the series initially.

After graduating in 1984, he joined the Ocean Institute, an organization in Dana Point, California, dedicated to educating the public about marine science and maritime history.

One of Hillenburg's major inspirations was Ween's 1997 album The Mollusk, which had a nautical and underwater theme.

Murray was impressed by the style of Hillenburg's film and offered him a job as a director for the first season, which began airing in 1993.

Hillenburg decided to focus on a single main character: a sea sponge, the "weirdest" sea creature he could think of.

Elements of Kenny's own personality were employed to develop the character further.