Help Wanted

"Help Wanted"
General
Show:	SpongeBob SquarePants
Season number:	1
Production code:	1a
First airing:	May 1, 1999
Sister episode(s):	"Reef Blower" "Tea at the Treedome"
Credits
Writer(s):	Stephen Hillenburg Derek Drymon Tim Hill
Storyboard:	Stephen Hillenburg (writer) Derek Drymon (artist)
Animator(s):	Alan Smart

“Today's the big day, Gary!”

—SpongeBob

"Help Wanted" is the first segment of the pilot episode of the SpongeBob SquarePants series. It first aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on May 1, 1999, following the televised broadcast of the 1999 Kid's Choice Awards. It centers on the titular character SpongeBob SquarePants, who applies as the fry cook of the popular fast-food restaurant, the Krusty Krab. The segment was paired with "Reef Blower" and "Tea at the Treedome" in its first airing.

The show was first conceived by marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg in 1994, although work did not begin on developing it until after the cancellation of Nickelodeon's Rocko's Modern life, on which Hillenburg was the show's creative director. Most of Rocko's staff emigrated to SpongeBob SquarePants, including Tom Kenny and Mr. Lawrence, who ended up voicing SpongeBob SquarePants and Plankton, respectively. Inspired by the 1989 film Powwow Highway, Hillenburg initially conceived the series pitch around SpongeBob and Squidward Tentacles going on a road trip; this concept was scrapped, though it would be reused for the first segment of the fifth episode of Season 1, "Pizza Delivery". Instead, Hillenburg and SpongeBob's show writer, Derek Drymon, based "Help Wanted"'s realized plot off an experience Hillenburg had during his Boy Scout years.

Despite being completed in 1997, the pilot would not air until 1999, during which the pilot was slightly altered into its final form. During its broadcast, "Help Wanted" was viewed in over 2,000,000 households and received positive critical reviews, effectively launching the franchise and kickstarting the global phenomenon that would be SpongeBob SquarePants. In addition, the episode also resuscitated popularity for its featured Tiny Tim cover, "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight".

Characters

• French Narrator(debut)
• SpongeBob SquarePants (debut)
• Gary the Snail (debut)
• Patrick Star (debut)
• Squidward Tentacles (debut)
• Eugene Krabs (debut)
• Anchovies (debut)

Plot

SpongeBob uses his hydro-dynamic spatula to hover over the ravenous anchovies.

The French Narrator introduces the underwater town of Bikini Bottom, highlighting a particular resident: SpongeBob SquarePants, whom he considers to be his favorite aquatic creature.

SpongeBob eagerly prepares to apply as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab; however, his confidence wanes once he arrives at the restaurant. Initially set to leave on the preconceived notion that he is not good enough, SpongeBob is quickly dissuaded by his best friend, Patrick Star, who rouses him with SpongeBob's qualifications and passion for fry cooking. With his enthusiasm restored, SpongeBob enters the restaurant for his job application, much to the chagrin of his neighbor and the Krusty Krab's cashier, Squidward Tentacles. Not believing him to be qualified for the position, the Krusty Krab's owner, Mr. Krabs, concocts a test for SpongeBob, involving him obtaining a fictional high-caliber hydrodynamic spatula. When he leaves after accepting his task, Squidward and Mr. Krabs laugh at SpongeBob's expense.

Soon after, anchovies in busloads arrive at the Krusty Krab, overrunning the establishment despite the two's desperate attempts at maintaining order. As SpongeBob shops at the Barg'N-Mart for the requested spatula, the situation at the Krusty Krab descends into total chaos, with Squidward and Mr. Krabs accepting their demise at the anchovies' hands. SpongeBob suddenly returns, demonstrating the existence of the nonfictional hydro-dynamic spatula before serving the anchovies a plethora of Krabby Patties. Once they depart, an impressed Mr. Krabs awards SpongeBob the position of fry cook to Squidward's dismay; Patrick soon arrives with an order of one Krabby Patty, causing SpongeBob to go into a cooking overdrive. Squidward calls for Mr. Krabs, mockingly asking him to "see your new employee."

For the episode's transcript, see here.

Music

1997 Pilot Version

• Glissando (A) - Richard Myhill, Skaila Kanga [Opening to the sound of crashing waves]
• Aloha Oé - George K, Hans Haider, Queen Lili'uokalani [The opening]
• Honolulu March - George K, J Dounfrey, Hans Haider ["Today's the big day, Gary."]
• The Land Is Ours - Gregor F. Narholz [SpongeBob lifts his stuffed teddy bear weights.]
• Timpani Roll (#48) - Sammy Burdson [Overlays "The Land Is Ours."]
• Grand Orchestral Fanfare - Gregor F. Narholz [SpongeBob lifts his teddy bear weights.]
• Honolulu March - George K, J Dounfrey, Hans Haider ["I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready..."]
• Sponge Bob Theme - Brad Carow [Title sequence]
• Next Door Neighbour - Rick Cassman, Vyvyan Hope-Scott ["The Krusty Krab, home of the Krabby Patty."]
• The Land Is Ours - Gregor F. Narholz [Patrick encourages SpongeBob to get the job.]
• Grand Orchestral Fanfare - Gregor F. Narholz ["Who's a big yellow cube with holes?"]
• Honolulu March - George K, J Dounfrey, Hans Haider [SpongeBob runs to the Krusty Krab.]
• Oyster Girls - Robert Alexander White ["Permission to come aboard, captain!"]
• The Rake Hornpipe - Robert Alexander White [Mr. Krabs gives SpongeBob the test.]
• Bartmania A - Guy Moon ["That sounded like hatch doors."]
• Menace from the Deep - Robert Cornford ["That smell... a kind of smelly smell."]
• Bartmania A - Guy Moon [Anchovies rush into the Krusty Krab/Anchovies pick up the boat/"All hands on deck! Get your anchors out of your pants!"]
• Cymbals (#85) - Mark Nolan [Plays before "Death Trap"]
• Death Trap (#27) - Gregor F. Narholz ["Batten down the hatches, Mr. Squidward!"]
• Bossa Cubana - Gerhard Narholz [SpongeBob shops at Barg'N-Mart.]
• Battle at Sea - Johnny Pearson ["Climb, Mr. Squidward! Climb!"]
• Reach for the Stars - Richard A. Harvey [SpongeBob returns.]
• The Main Event - Gregor F. Narholz [The hydro-dynamic spatula is revealed.]
• Buffoonery - Van Phillips ["Who's hungry?"]
• Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight - Tiny Tim [Montage of SpongeBob making Krabby Patties/Ending.]

1999 Recut Version

• Hawaiian Train - Victor Cavini [Title card]
• Glissando (A) - Richard Myhill, Skaila Kanga [Bubble transition]
• Aloha Oé - George K, Hans Haider, Queen Lili'uokalani [The opening]
• Honolulu March - George K, J Dounfrey, Hans Haider ["Today's the big day, Gary."]
• The Land Is Ours - Gregor F. Narholz [SpongeBob lifts his teddy bear weights.]
• Timpani Roll (#48) - Sammy Burdson [Overlays "The Land Is Ours."]
• Grand Orchestral Fanfare - Gregor F. Narholz [SpongeBob lifts his stuffed teddy bear weights.]
• Honolulu March - George K, J Dounfrey, Hans Haider ["I'm ready, I'm ready, I'm ready..."]
• Next Door Neighbour - Rick Cassman, Vyvyan Hope-Scott ["The Krusty Krab, home of the Krabby Patty."]
• The Land Is Ours - Gregor F. Narholz [Patrick encourages SpongeBob to get the job.]
• Grand Orchestral Fanfare - Gregor F. Narholz ["Who's a big yellow cube with holes?"]
• Honolulu March - George K, J Dounfrey, Hans Haider [SpongeBob runs to the Krusty Krab.]
• Oyster Girls - Robert Alexander White ["Permission to come aboard, captain!"]
• The Rake Hornpipe - Robert Alexander White [Mr. Krabs gives SpongeBob the test.]
• Bartmania A - Guy Moon ["That sounded like hatch doors."]
• Menace from the Deep - Robert Cornford ["That smell...a kind of smelly smell."]
• Bartmania A - Guy Moon [Anchovies rush into the Krusty Krab/Anchovies pick up the boat/"All hands on deck! Get your anchors out of your pants!"]
• Cymbals (#85) - Mark Nolan [Plays before "Death Trap"]
• Death Trap (#27) - Gregor F. Narholz ["Batten down the hatches, Mr. Squidward!"]
• Bossa Cubana - Gerhard Narholz [SpongeBob shops at Barg'N-Mart.]
• Battle at Sea - Johnny Pearson ["Climb, Mr. Squidward! Climb!"]
• Reach for the Stars - Richard A. Harvey [SpongeBob returns.]
• The Main Event - Gregor F. Narholz [The hydro-dynamic spatula is revealed.]
• Buffoonery - Van Phillips ["Who's hungry?"]
• Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight - Tiny Tim [Montage of SpongeBob making Krabby Patties/Ending.]

Production

SpongeBoy Ahoy!/Early Production Artwork

• 

Differences from later episodes

As the first and pilot episode, "Help Wanted" has many differences to the rest of the series. The original version had several minor differences that were later corrected.

• It is the only episode where SpongeBob's bed is on the right side of his room.
• SpongeBob's voice is slightly lower and Patrick's is deeper.
• Mr. Krabs' eyelids are bright pink instead of just red.
• Squidward wears a regular orange shirt instead of brown-orange, his complexion is more pale and his laugh is different.
• The "splat" sound effect is different.
• Gary's eye pupils and irises are smaller.
• Squidward has rows of sticks behind his house.
• SpongeBob's alarm clock has a different ship horn sound than in in later episodes
• There is only one window in front of SpongeBob's house.
• SpongeBob had a pet scallop in a cage in his bedroom.

Trivia

• Stephen Hillenburg was misspelled "Stephen Hilleburg" in the opening credits.
• SpongeBob says "I'm ready" at the Krusty Krab three times. The last time he says it, his collar turns red.
• Initially, this episode was not included on the SpongeBob season 1 DVD set, presumably because of the Tiny Tim song. The episode has since been available on the season 3 box set as a bonus feature.
• The episode was completed in 1997, and was released on an employees only VHS called The Best of Nicktoons 1998 VHS which the original pilot's intro.
• The episode (alongside Reef Blower and Tea at the Treedome) premiered right after the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards at 9:30/8:30pm central.
  • This is the third time a new NickToon premiered after the Kids Choice Awards. The first being The Angry Beavers on April 19, 1997, and CatDog on April 4, 1998
    • The slot originally went to a full fledge series based on KaBLaM! short, Sniz and Fondue. But plans changed after the show's creator, Mike R. Brandon, left the studio due to being overworked with other projects. SpongeBob took its place.
    • The episode premiered with 6.9 million viewers, 3.6 million kids ages 2-11, and 3.3 million teens and adults.
    • The original airing of the episode was re-discovered and uploaded to internet archive by lovforlogos. Officially announced by CDCB on twitter on October 30, 2020.
• The animation is lower quality than later episodes.
  • In the scene where SpongeBob rapidly bounces off the walls, ceiling, and floor of the Krusty Krab, only a yellow square is shown.
  • When the Anchovies jumped up and down, they were only shown as blue and brown oval-like shapes.
  • There's an animation mistake when SpongeBob says his final "I'm Ready!" His inner shirt is red instead of the usual white.

External Links

• Wikipedia's article on the episode
• Encyclopedia SpongeBobia's article on the episode
• SpongePedia's article on the episode