SpongeBob BingePants

Janet Varney (the voice of “Korra” in Legend of Korra) joins Hector as a guest host to interview the one and only Lori Alan, voice of Pearl Krabs. Lori shares stories about her first SpongeBob recording session, creating music for the show with Tom Kenny, and the mystery of Pearl’s mother. Then, our hosts test Lori’s whale-like memory with a good old game of “Finish That Line”.

Not only does Janet Varney (the voice of “Korra” in Legend of Korra) co-host Nickelodeon’s official companion podcast to Avatar: The Last Airbender, “Avatar: Braving The Elements”, she also loves SpongeBob SquarePants. So, in the vein of the classic Jimmy Timmy Power Hour, we decided to create a Nicktoon podcast crossover episode! Janet joins Hector to unpack their favorite moments, improvise jingles, discover meme origins, and discuss the big differences between the SpongeBob and Avatar universes.

Starship Troopers. The Shawshank Redemption. Dexter. John Wick. To the untrained eye, SpongeBob SquarePants may not fit into this list of credits. Though if you really know Clancy Brown outside of his Internet-breaking IMDb page, you would know that nobody else could possibly play Mr. Krabs. Clancy helps our hosts unpack the many layers under Krabs’s shell, why SpongeBob feels like his real job, and his latest method for trying to decipher the genius of Stephen Hillenburg’s characters and world.

From starring in hilarious comedy sketches at the Second City and Mr. Show to a prolific cartoon voice-over career, Jill Talley is inspiring the next generation of future comedy greats like herself. In this episode, Jill reflects on the evolution of Karen’s character, ad-libbing with Mr. Lawrence in the studio, her thoughts on the famous Mrs. Puff conspiracy theories, and what it’s like to voice Squidina Star on The Patrick Star Show.

When this episode of SpongeBob SquarePants first aired, April “Pinkie” Davis was just four years old. Little did she know at the time, she would have her dream job working as a storyboard artist on SpongeBob decades later. Pinkie looks back at what her kid brain was thinking when first watching these hilarious SpongeBob episodes, like how badly she wanted Sandy’s net gadget and her nightmares of those squeaking boots. Then, in Frankie’s Marine Biology Corner, we learn about Mr. Krabs’s exoskeleton.

If there’s one thing SpongeBob fans know Jay Lender for, it’s bringing Nosferatu to Bikini Bottom. Beyond that, Jay Lender has written and directed classics like Hall Monitor, Pressure, Opposite Day, Bubble Buddy and much more. Jay sits with Hector and Frankie to discuss everything from his work on Hey Arnold to the very experimental SpongeBob comics and of course the legacy of his unforgettable vampire gag in Graveyard Shift.

Not only does Rodger Bumpass voice Squidward Tentacles, as well as various other hilarious characters on all three SpongeBob series, but he also holds the world’s biggest SpongeBob art and merchandise collection. From establishing that rhythmic laugh to the story behind his famous recumbent bicycle, Rodger reminisces on the early years of developing Squidward’s character. Then, we take an audio tour through Rodger’s home museum.

Veteran artist Ted Seko joins our hosts to unpack what makes these classic storyboards so darn funny. Ted discusses how valuable it is to look back at past episodes like these to pull inspiration for character expressions and comedic timing. Then, Hector asks Professor Frankie everyone’s biggest burning marine biology question: can you milk a jellyfish?

Mary Jo Catlett sits down with Frankie and Hector to discuss everyone’s favorite pufferfish boating school teacher: Mrs. Puff. From Broadway musicals to notorious pest control commercials, Mary Jo Catlett’s character acting career has spanned generations. She shares hilarious stories about her five auditions for SpongeBob, fans who recognize her amazing voice, and why she loves her character so much.

Underground cartoonist Kaz was a huge fan of SpongeBob SquarePants when it first aired, so much so that he would tape and rewatch episodes from his apartment in New York City. Little did Kaz know at the time, creator Stephen Hillenburg was a huge fan of his comics. When Kaz received a phone call to come write and storyboard for the show, he nearly fainted with excitement. Since joining the team, Kaz has written unforgettable episodes of SpongeBob, Kamp Koral, and The Patrick Star Show.