Brother Can You Spare a Brine? #SpongeBob

Bob Giusti - [email protected]

Evidently, even the citizens of Bikini Bottom are not immune to the effects of a bad economy. On November 11th Nickelodeon will debut an episode of SpongeBob in which the acclaimed grill talent of the Krusty Krab gets laid off. Who knows how Squidward survived the cut; but Mr.Krabs plans to save a whole nickel by letting go of his best (and most loyal) employee.

For anyone not familiar with the animated series, it is not unusual for SpongeBob's writers to parody social values or real life issues. They just have never hit an issue this timely and sensitive. Not only does the corporate greed card get well played but the happy to live off the system types (in the guise of the dim witted Patrick the starfish) also gets firmly rejected by a determined job seeking SpongeBob who swears off the "free meal".  

This last twist has some media watch groups up in arms about the unemployed being portrayed in a less than favorable light as happy and content to live off benefits from the State. In the end, the Crabby Paddy's maintained quality is the winner as SpongeBob's talent and skills prevail. Square pants, square deal.

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