Sponge Bob Square Pants Television Show Research Paper

Sponge Bob Square Pants Television Show
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SpongeBob Square Pants TV Show
In our modern society, the various ideas and attitudes of different cultures that we hold are developed and shaped by the media. As Hall (1995) points out, the primary goal of the media is the production and the transmission of these ideas. As the consumers of the various media texts, we should, therefore, be aware of the underlying ideas and the viewpoints that are contained in them. One of the most common texts that construct various ideologies in the minds of the audience are the cartoon shows. The cartoon shows focus on different topics such as moral transgressions, cognitive development of the society and even marketing opportunities CITATION Bri13 \l 1033 (Britni & Timothy, 2013). The list cannot be exhausted, and as such it does not underscore the complex meanings and messages that are contained in the cartoon television shows. In my assignment, I have selected the popular American TV show by the name, Sponge Bob Square Pants. I am going to carry out an analysis of the television series regarding the ideologies that are presented, how it has been presented and the various semiotic features that are found in the show.
Sponge Bob Square Pants is a cartoon show that is available on Nickelodeon Television Network. It was created in Burbank, Californian in the year 1999 by a producer known as Stephen Hillenberg. The main character in the television series, Sponge Bob Square Pants, has become a figure who can be easily recognized by adults and children. SpongeBob Squarepants is voiced by Tom Kenny who through his contagious laugh has made the TV series to stand out among the American society CITATION Hed11 \l 1033 (Hedges, 2011). He has also gained a lot of significance not only as a television star but also as a lovable friend. The cartoon show has resulted in a variety of products that are named after it such as children toys and various DVDs. It has gained success, and there is no indication that the television series will come to an end very soon. I have randomly selected four episodes of the television series that I will analyze. They are therefore not sequential but rather random.
Episode 1: Help Wanted
The episode features SpongeBob, Squidward, Patrick and Mr. Krabs. SpongeBob wakes up very early in the morning jubilant and begins to shout out, "Today is the day." He appears so excited since he is planning to apply for a fry cook job that he has coveted for a long time at "The Krusty Krab" where Mr. Krabs is the owner while Squiward who happens to be the neighbor of SpongeBob has already been employed at the place. SpongeBob is so happy, and he cannot avoid singing and dancing as he approaches The Krusty Krab. On the other side, Squiward notices the sign that is written, "Help Wanted" and then rushes and informs Krabs to take it down before it is too late. Squiward and Mr. Krabs make a decision that they will give SpongeBob a task so that if he completes the task, then he will get employed at the restaurant. He is given the task of finding a turbo-charged spatula which appears impossible. However, SpongeBob becomes successful in the task, and the episode ends when he is given a name tag at the restaurant by Mr. Krabs. He is happy.
Episode 2: Tea at the TreeDome
It features SpongeBob and his best friend, Patrick and it also introduces Sandy who is a squirrel. SpongeBob and Sandy meet at Jellyfish fields as Sandy wrestles with a giant clam. SpongeBob tries to save Sandy from the clam, and he is successful, but he also gets stuck inside the clam. Sandy rescues him from the clam, and he is successful in rescuing him from the clam. The two decide that they have a lot in common and they should become friends. SpongeBob also tells Sandy that he too loves air and cannot get enough of it. Sandy invites SpongeBob over for a cup of tea the next day. SpongeBob asks Patrick what exactly air is and Patrick answers by telling him that it sounds like it is something that is fancy and he should always hold his pinky in the air as high as he can.
SpongeBob arrives at Sandy's place for tea the next day. He realizes that he cannot breathe inside the waterless tree dome where Sandy lives. He shrinks, and Patrick comes in to save SpongeBob, but unluckily he too shrivels. Before things get worse, Sandy realizes what is going on and gives both of them water-filled helmets that they wear inside the house. They then drink tea together with their pinkies up.
Episode 3: Sweet and Sour Squid
It features SpongeBob, Patrick, Squiward, Mr. Krabs, and Plankton. SpongeBob wakes up with his usual happy mood and begins to whistle to the annoyed Squiward. Squiward is so frustrated since he has failed to convince SpongeBob and Mr. Krabs of his brilliant skills in playing the clarinet. He, therefore, decides to storm out of The Krusty Krab. On the other side, Plankton who is a rival of Mr. Krabs considers Squiward as an opportunity that he should acquire. At first, Squiward is unresponsive to the attempts that are made by Plankton. However, when Plankton secretly puts earplugs and becomes a willing recipient of Squiward's clarinet playing, he decides to keep him around. In the end, Plankton asks Squiward where the secret formula of playing the clarinet lies. Unfortunately, Squiward tells him that even though he has been playing the clarinet for the past 2o years, he has no idea where the secret lies. Plankton is infuriated at the response that he has been given and therefore decides to steal Squiward's clarinet, only to be arrested later by the police for clarinet based noise violations.
Episode 4: The Googly Artiste
It features SpongeBob, Squiward, and Mr. Krabs. Squiward is busy preparing for an art critic that will be used as a basis for evaluation of his latest sculpture. On their side, SpongeBob and Patrick are busy making artwork that includes baskets, crocheted wallets, and other childish...