The Super Bowl is the most-watched TV event every year. And this year, Nickelodeon got in on the action with its own kid-friendly broadcast.
This year, children were taken through the play-by-play calls by the incredibly popular cartoon characters SpongeBob SquarePants (Tom Kenny) and his best friend Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke).
Now, people don’t often think of cartoons as being super-political. But as we know, life itself is political and therefore a few references and even a poignant life lesson or two are bound to slip through.
One such comment made by these two during the Super Bowl got many on social media talking. The pair were discussing how tiring it can be making Krabby Patties, presumably relating to how tired the football players must have been at that moment. Then SpongeBob helpfully reminded everyone, “That’s right, that’s why we have a union!” What!? A union!
Naturally, a lot of viewers took a moment to celebrate this shout-out to workers’ rights.
“That’s why we have a union”
— We Are Somebody (@StrikeForAll) February 12, 2024
-SpongeBob Squarepants
Correct ✊ https://t.co/yCJqo79MCl
Exactly, Nickelodeon used a small moment to make a point that is lasting: Workers’ rights are human rights! I know I would like to know what SpongeBob’s union is called. How many people are a part of it!?!? No this isn’t the biggest deal in the world, but small moments matter and it's great that small strides are being made to bring real-world issues to younger demographics.
This isn’t the first time SpongeBob and friends have mentioned unions and labor issues. An iconic episode titled “Squid on Strike” aired a whopping 23 years ago, in 2001. Mr. Krab, the notoriously rough boss, started putting the hammer down at his Krusty Krab establishment. He started charging SpongeBob and Squidward Tentacles for things like “breathing.” SpongeBob initially was going to just accept these strict changes, but Squidward was not having it. He convinced his friend to go on strike. There was a particularly famous line from this episode, as SpongeBob chanted his frustrations.
The line went: “Krusty Krab is unfair! Mr. Krabs is in there! Standing at the concession! Plotting his oppression!”
Insider Union analyzed this episode and agreed that it taught important themes about workplace strikes and unions in general. For example, it showed how important unity is. Squidward explicitly told SpongeBob that they had to “unite as workers!” This is such an important message. It is going to mean something a little different to children; they may just understand the importance of sticking together as friends. But in the real world, they will come to learn that there is power in numbers and that they deserve to fight to be treated well.
Tom Kenny and Bill Fagerbakke with their vtuber setup for the Nickelodeon Super Bowl broadcast (via the official @SpongeBob TikTok account) pic.twitter.com/Jl2UBccb3a
— Nymo (@Nymo) February 12, 2024
SpongeBob’s impact is colossal in the realm of television and broader culture. And this Super Bowl moment may end up adding to its huge legacy.
Watch the SpongeBob SquarePants Universe, including Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years and The Patrick Star Show on Nickelodeon and Paramount+! Try it FREE at ParamountPlus.com.
Listen to The SpongeBob Musical here!
CALLING ALL GOOFY GOOBERS! (ROCK!) Are ya ready for a deep dive into the world of SpongeBob SquarePants? The SpongeBob YouTube channel is THE PLACE for all fan-favorite SpongeBob moments! Subscribe now at https://www.youtube.com/SpongeBobOfficial!
CALLING ALL GOOFY GOOBERS! (ROCK!) Are ya ready for a deep dive into the world of SpongeBob SquarePants? The SpongeBob YouTube channel is THE PLACE for all fan-favorite SpongeBob moments! Subscribe now at https://www.youtube.com/SpongeBobOfficial!
Original source: The Mary Sue.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Have your say by leaving a comment below! NickALive! welcomes friendly and respectful comments. Please familiarize with the blog's Comment Policy before commenting. All new comments are moderated and won't appear straight away.