Posted on 11/07/2013 6:17:17 AM PST by JoeProBono
BURBANK, Calif., An upcoming episode of Nickelodeon's "SpongeBob SquarePants" has political commentators dueling about the social safety net.
The Nov. 11 episode, the focus of reports by the New York Post and Fox News Channel, involves the titular character being fired from his job at the Krusty Krab fast food eatery so the owner, Mr. Krabs, can save "a whole nickel," The Hollywood Reporter reported Wednesday.
SpongeBob's friend, Patrick, attempts to show him the ways of "glorious unemployment," but SpongeBob eventually decides the life is not for him.
"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," the New York Post's 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."
The report, as well as similar commentary on the Fox News Channel's "Fox and Friends," drew the ire of left-wing media watchdog Media Matters, which used the headline, "Right-wing media use SpongeBob SquarePants' firing to attack social safety net."
"Right-wing media have a long history of attacking the social safety net. Recently, Fox attacked low-wage workers in the fast food industry who have to rely on necessary federal benefit programs because they earn below subsistence wages," Media Matters said.
Russell Hicks, president of content, development and production for Nickelodeon, said the episode was designed to have a universal message.
"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," he said. "As always, despite this momentary setback, SpongeBob's eternal optimism prevails, which is always a great message for everyone."
Leftists are a bunch of dour, narrow-minded, easily offended louts.
Outside of Bugs Bunny, Sponge Bob is the best thing that has happened to cartoons. My kids are now teenagers and we still watch Sponge Bob. It’s extremely funny and fun to watch.
Forget the leftists! I’m ready!
It’s supposed to be a temporary safety net, but they’ve turned into a multi-generational hammock.
I can see the CA ballot now... Spongebob for President
Wow....a message that might actually do kids some good?
I knew I liked that goofy character for a reason.
We’ve always liked watching Sponge Bob at our house. Some of the humor is put in just for the adults, but I don’t think there is any other character on Nickelodeon or Disney that has the type of work ethic he does.
"I resemble that remark!!!" < /SILLY-BUS >
And it’s being done on purpose.
They sell it to the sheeperal as “it’s better to get everyone covered that needs it than it is to make sure that everyone that’s getting it actually needs it.”
What’s funny about this is that I remember the Spongebob episode when he bought his house (it was a flashback I think), he pulled out CASH to buy it :)
Wow, she forgot to take off the Cruella DeVille costume from Halloween.
This episode is great because it shows Spongebob doing Christian-like charity in taking in Squidward, and it shows that a too generous safety net can become a hammock from which it is hard to get people to leave.
What “Right-wing media?”
Do the skinhead who joined with OWS have their own news programs?
Oh yes, I remember that...Spongebob spelled something about him getting a job in his soup I think? I haven’t watched Spongebob lately, and originally when my daughter was born my husband did not want her watching it because he thought it was weird a character ran around in his underwear (still is, lol). BUT overall, it’s pretty good and like I said, Spongebob is a pretty good guy. I’m surprised Nick has allowed them to do that since a lot of their stuff, especially teen shows, are absolute trash the kids aren’t allowed to watch!
“< /SILLY-BUS >”
Rode hard by many.
Puppet #1: Hey, where you goin’?
Puppet #2: To my job!
Puppet #1: You have a job?
Puppet #2: Why wouldn’t I? I’m not some lazy inconsiderate jerk who lays in bed all day!
Puppet #1: Say, where can I find one of these...jobs?
Puppet #2: Oh, they’re everywhere. They’ll even hire you if you’re green and have six tentacles!
Puppet #1: Thanks! I’m gonna get one so I can stop mooching off my friends and they can get back to their lives!
Squidward: This isn’t my show! Spongebob! The remote control’s broken! Get over here and fix it!
SpongeBob: I’ve got a better idea! Why don’t I call someone whose job it is to fix it? You know why? Because when I need a job done I get someone with a job to do that JOB!
Squidward: What are you saying?
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