Posted on 08/26/2003 9:39:07 PM PDT by 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.
Well, I dunno about Bob, but "The Rat" is definately gay.
Note the "sizable buldge".
Don't ask where I found this. I just used "Google", I swear!
Gee, I always thought of sponges, well as sponges
Silly me
1. SpongeBob is not gay, but a sexual. Otherwise, how to explain the episode where he gets in an argument with Sandy about the merits of land and sea creatures and says," Yes, Sandy, but can you reproduce by BUDDING?" (Litttle SpongeBobs pop out all over him.)
2. The show is fairly a-political, although there was a hilarious sequence in which Squidward convinced SpongeBob to go on strike. SpongeBob had a terrible time making effective picket signs, driving Squidward crazy. In the end, they ended up paying Crusty Crab so that they could get their jobs back.
I think it is a pretty funny cartoon, although it took me a few shows to understand it. I didn't understand they were underwater at first (because of the squirrel) and I was a bit confused as to who everyone was.
Odie is dumb as a sack of hammers for one so isnt "intellectual" enough to speak in thoughts. Now Garfield, well he actually doesnt have conversations with John, but responds to him in thoughts that we hear. (from memory... Cartoons have a tendency to deviate from themselves)
What is up with Catbert? The guy has power issues and needs a psychiatrist.
An interesting cartoon is Courage the Cowardly Dog, which sort of reminds me of The Twilight Zone. When the kids watch that, I monitor that because some of the episodes are pretty scary.
The US religious right just reported that claim later
Exactly. Rev. Falwell simply reported the adoption of Tinky Winky as a symbol by the homosexuals.
I see it more like my 5yo son and his best friend trying to raise a baby bird found in our back yard. Children love to care for animals.
This story just proves that gays are a bunch of pervs, if anyone needs proof.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.