SpongeBob SquarePants is arguably one of the most famous shows on the planet. For those of us who grew up watching it almost daily, it holds a special place in our hearts. But it’s not just nostalgia driving its popularity—the numbers speak for themselves. It’s the highest-rated Nickelodeon animated series, translated into over 30 languages, and broadcast in 180 markets worldwide.
“We could not have foreseen this when we first started doing the show,” says Tom Kenny, the man who gave SpongeBob his unforgettable voice. “It’s wonderful to see that SpongeBob is still resonating with people who first experienced it in their formative years. Now they’re in their 30s, and they tell us that show taught them a lot in terms of dealing with the world. We weren’t thinking about that when we’re doing a stupid knockabout comedy and just having fun. But the show has kind of deeper purpose and meaning, too.”
SpongeBob has become a part of our daily lives in ways we might not even realize. Its moments are endlessly quotable, and it’s hard to go a day online without seeing a meme featuring one of its characters.
Bored Panda got in touch with Mary Kate James, the creator of the Facebook group ‘SpongeBob Memes,’ along with co-admin Emma Cromwell, to learn more about what makes the show so lovable. Their community has over 2.8 million followers and counting.
“I love SpongeBob’s outlook on life—he sees the potential good in everyone and every situation,” Mary said, explaining why the series resonates with her. “The contrast between the different characters and their dynamics is also a big part of what makes it so special. But it’s the humor that really stands out. The memes we create are either drawn directly from the show or adapted to fit real-life scenarios that people can relate to.”
“I love SpongeBob because it was my favorite show growing up,” Emma shared. “Every day before school, my sister and I would watch at least one or two episodes—that was our daily routine. Everybody knows who SpongeBob is, even adults. I love that both kids and grown-ups can enjoy it. Growing up and being able to relate to so many scenes is comforting. It feels like the creators wanted to make a show that sticks with you, so when you grow up and face the realities of life, you can look back on those scenes, fully understand them, and laugh just like you did as a kid!”
Mary started her Facebook page in May 2020 after being part of other groups that, instead of memes, posted a lot of explicit SpongeBob content or spam. Frustrated, she decided to create her own space.
“I wanted a group focused on actual memes and related content. It’s been a blast, but also a lot of work. As the group has grown, so has the effort needed to keep it running smoothly. Maintaining a spam-free, member-friendly environment can be challenging, but it’s incredibly rewarding,” she said.
Emma was invited by Mary to join the admin team when the group had about 300,000 members. “I didn’t exactly set out to become an admin; it was more a case of being in the right place at the right time,” she said.
At the time, Emma was dealing with serious health issues caused by mold poisoning, which kept her glued to her phone as a distraction. She was an active member of the group, posting frequently in ‘SpongeBob Memes.’ One day, she messaged Mary, and the two instantly connected. “For some reason, Mary and I just clicked,” Emma shared. “We became such good friends and eventually started chatting every day.”
Mary soon brought Emma on board to help with the group, and the two quickly became a dynamic duo. “Three years later, we’ve grown SpongeBob Memes to 2.8 million members, and we’ve become best friends,” Emma said. “Running this group with Mary has been such a great experience. I’ve learned so much from her—how to manage, people skills, and how social media works.”
“Sometimes it does get tiring being on social media 24/7, but after taking a break for a few days, I always seem to get right back into it because I do enjoy it! I’m very glad I fell into the position I did.”
Despite working so well together as admins, when it comes to favorite SpongeBob characters, Mary and Emma couldn’t be more different.
“SpongeBob is my favorite,” Mary shared. “He’s not afraid to be himself, and I love that about him. No matter what, he never changes his positive demeanor just to fit in or please those around him—especially Squidward.”
And as for Squidward… He just so happens to be Emma’s top pick. “I love how Squidward is such an introvert,” she said. “He’s the most relatable character for me, and I often find myself acting like him throughout the day.”
