Camp cartoon star 'is not gay' - ( SpongeBob )

BBC ^ | October 9,, 2002

[UnklGene]

Wednesday, 9 October, 2002, 15:44 GMT 16:44 UK Camp cartoon star 'is not gay'

SpongeBob SquarePants: A hit with adults and children

The creator of one of the most popular new cartoon characters for years, SpongeBob SquarePants, has rejected claims that his cheerful creation is gay. SpongeBob has become an icon among homosexuals in the United States as well as a huge hit with children, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Who is SpongeBob? A yellow sea sponge whose home is a giant pineapple Lives in Bikini Bottom on the bed of the Pacific Ocean Best friend is pink starfish called Patrick Likes winding up his neighbour, Squidward Tentacles Goes to Mrs Puff's Boating School He holds hands with his pink best friend, lives in an underwater pineapple and gets boating lessons from a teacher called Mrs Puff.

SpongeBob may be "kind of special", but he was not designed to be a gay character, his creator Stephen Hillenburg has told the Wall Street Journal.

The gay community likes the show because it has a tolerant attitude, Mr Hillenburg said.

"Everybody is different, and the show embraces that. The character SpongeBob is an oddball. He's kind of weird, but he's kind of special," he said.

"I always think of them as being somewhat asexual."

The US religious right said Tinky Winky was gay

SpongeBob is the latest sensation on children's cable channel Nickelodeon, and was recently voted among the top 10 cartoon characters of all time by fans.

His sexuality has become the biggest talking point since US campaigners claimed handbag-carrying Teletubby Tinky Winky, an import from the UK, was a bad role-model.

SpongeBob's innocent optimism, "soft" personality and bright, camp world have endeared him to gay men, the Journal said.

Adult fans

Nickelodeon says the show is not aimed at a homosexual audience, but it is the channel's most popular show with adult viewers.

It may be designed for children between two and 11, but almost one in four viewers is aged between 18 and 49, the paper says.

It is screened at 2330, and at 2300 on MTV, as well as more child-friendly times.

In the UK, the channel said 40% of the show's one million viewers were over 16.

The Wall Street Journal says part of its reported $500m (£322m) merchandise sales have come from gay men snapping up branded toys, lunch boxes and even thongs.

[bethelgrad]

for the record, all four of those stupid teletubby thingies are flat out gay.

[LdSentinal]

A yellow sea sponge whose home is a giant pineapple Lives in Bikini Bottom on the bed of the Pacific Ocean Best friend is pink starfish called Patrick Likes winding up his neighbour,

BBC strikes again. Bikini Bottom is in the Atlantic Ocean and Spongebob's best friend is called Patrick STAR.

[WyPatriot]

The teletubbies are sweet, innocent little creatures that are baby-like...gay?...come on now...geez

[ConservativeMan55]

"Just Damn"

[tophat9000]

And for the record gays said Tinky Winky was gay

The US religious right just reported that claim later

[Pokey78]

Right. Not gay. He's the spitting image of John Wayne in "Sands of Iwo Jima".

[ConservativeMan55]

This thread reminds me of the old Disney videos where you could put them in slow motion and hear cursing, or nudity, and profanity.
I believe the people that put them in there were billed as disgruntled Disney workers.

[right way right]

Sponge Bob is not Gay he is just very Happy!

[Graybeard58]

Elmer Fudd was always trying to blast ole Bugs to bunny rabbit heaven and how did Bugs respond? He would plant a big wet one right on Elmers mouth. Bugs was masochistic AND gay.

Different subject but I never could understand why Goofy walked upright on two legs but Pluto walked on all fours. They were both DOGS!

[HitmanLV]

I've always felt the Tele Tubbies were a trojan horse, softening up the minds of children for an imminent alien invasion.

They look like ufonauts to me!

[tophat9000]

Pitcher or a Catcher?...

Looks like a Catcher to me

[LdSentinal]

He's not gay. He went on a panty raid with Patrick and Mr. Crabs. He would like Sandy if she wasn't a land squirrel.

[Keith in Iowa]

>>Different subject but I never could understand why Goofy walked upright on two legs but Pluto walked on all fours.

I've always wanted to know why Porky Pig & Donald Duck never wore pants.

[ConservativeMan55]

He went on a panty raid? LOL!

[LdSentinal]

Yeah, the episode where Mr. Crabs feels old and hangs out with Spongebob and Patrick on a "night of debauchery!" Sadly, the house they raid for panties is owned by Mr. Crabs mother.

[Graybeard58]

"I've always wanted to know why Porky Pig & Donald Duck never wore pants"

Plain and simple.....Exhibitionism..... Will the perversion never end?

[Cathryn Crawford]

Listen, pal, SpongeBob rocks. And he's not gay!

[Moonmad27]

How about Squidward?! Why didn't they point out several comments in the show about him that hint that...well, you know... Offhand I can think of two, one where Mr Krabs pointedly comments that Squidward is "artistic" (said with a verbal "nudge, nudge" that would fly over little kids' heads) and in another where music is playing and Mr Krabs wonders out loud why Spongebob is listening to show tunes, Squidward's type music.