Courtesy of Nickelodeon
As the Chronicle’s resident young person, born in the same year that Stephen Hillenburg’s ongoing cultural phenomenon premiered on Nickelodeon, I can confirm that SpongeBob SquarePants continues to infiltrate the lexicon of America’s (aging) youth. I think “Oh brother, this guy stinks” might be my most-quoted line. See for yourself at the cartoon’s Pinthouse trivia night, when certain questions – How am I supposed to eat this pizza without my drink? – elicit a supreme childlike joy out of even the most cynical twentysomethings, awoken like activated sleeper agents. If it was good enough for Tony Soprano, it’s good enough for us. – Carys Anderson