Help Wanted (SpongeBob SquarePants)
| "Help Wanted" | |
|---|---|
| SpongeBob SquarePants episode | |
Title card
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| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 1 (1a) |
| Directed by |
Nick Jennings (art) Alan Smart (animation and supervising) Stephen Hillenburg (storyboard) |
| Written by |
Stephen Hillenburg Derek Drymon Tim Hill |
| Narrated by | Tom Kenny |
| Produced by | Larry LeFrancis |
| Featured music | "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight" by Tiny Tim |
| Original air date | May 1, 1999 |
| Running time | 8 minutes |
"Help Wanted" is the pilot episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. It originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on May 1, 1999, following the television airing of the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards. The episode follows the protagonist, an anthropomorphic sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants, attempting to get a job at the local restaurant called the Krusty Krab. However, he is tasked to find a seemingly non-existent high-caliber spatula because the owner, Mr. Krabs, considers him unqualified for the position. Eventually, crowds of ravenous anchovies stop by the Krusty Krab and demand meals. SpongeBob SquarePants returns from his errand, having fulfilled the request of Mr. Krabs and found a mechanical spatula. He utilizes the spatula to fulfill the anchovies' hunger. SpongeBob is then welcomed by Mr. Krabs as a Krusty Krab employee.
Series creator Stephen Hillenburg initially conceived the show in 1994 and began to work on it shortly after the cancellation of Rocko's Modern Life in 1996. To voice the character of SpongeBob, Hillenburg approached Tom Kenny, who had worked with him on Rocko's Modern Life. For the series pitch, Hillenburg originally wanted the idea of having SpongeBob and Squidward on a road trip, inspired by the 1989 film Powwow Highway. Hillenburg gave up the idea, and started new with the idea he and Derek Drymon came up for "Help Wanted" based on an experience Hillenburg had in the Boy Scouts. The original idea would be used for the later episode Pizza Delivery.
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