People who watched Spongebob when it first aired in 1999-2000, how did you perceive it and did you ever think it would have an impact this big?

[Oliverlogan263]

The pilot episode of SpongeBob SquarePants aired on May 1, 1999. Is there anyone here who remembers watching it when it first aired almost 25 years ago? If so, what did you think of the show after watching the pilot episode?

In 1999, there were people who believed that SpongeBob SquarePants would fail.

[WhiteSteve]

I was in college and probably too poor to have cable at that time, lmao. SpongeBob is a HUGE gap in my popular culture knowledge, along with any of the Star Wars movies made after the first three, the Marvel Comics Univere, Lord Of The Rings, and Harry Potter. Just absolutely no point of reference for any of it, hahaha.

I see SpongeBob memes a lot though, so I’m at least visually familiar with the characters, but I have no concept of what their personalities are supposed to be like.

[FunkyMonkee]

I never bothered watching Squarebob Spongepants.

[Nikki1989]

Adults watching SpongeBob. How embarrassing.

[VV3ZZY123]

I was in highschool. My brother and I would get super stoned and watch spongebob. Good times...

[jahaims]

I wasn't a fan of it then