Help Wanted (SpongeBob SquarePants episode)
Encyclopedia
"Help Wanted" is the pilot
episode of the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants
. It originally aired on Nickelodeon
on May 1, 1999 following the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards
; however, the episode was not officially aired until July 24, 1999. In "Help Wanted", the series' main protagonist
, an anthropomorphic sponge named SpongeBob
, attempts to get a job at the Krusty Krab fast food restaurant
, but the owner Mr. Krabs
believes he is incompetent for the job and sends him on a snipe hunt
to retrieve a supposedly non-existent "rare" spatula. While SpongeBob is away, the establishment is ambushed by a group of anchovy
customers, much to the dismay of Krabs and the cashier
Squidward Tentacles; however, SpongeBob returns with the spatula, much to the surprise of Mr. Krabs and Squidward, and caters to the anchovies. In the United States
, this episode was not on the SpongeBob SquarePants season one box set due to copyright issues, but was a bonus feature on the season three box set. Critical reception for the episode was generally favorable.
A narrator
with a French accent introduces SpongeBob SquarePants
, a sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea. SpongeBob's foghorn alarm clock rings, waking him up in the morning. He tells his pet, Gary the Snail that he must be in good shape because this particular day is important. He jumps off his diving board, and lands in his pants. He goes to his exercise room and lifts a bar-weight (which is actually two stuffed animals). Afterwards, SpongeBob declares that he is ready. He runs outside and down the street to the Krusty Krab
, repeatedly saying, "I'm ready" while his neighbor and best friend, Patrick Star, cheers him on. SpongeBob sees the 'Help Wanted' sign on the Krusty Krab window. He then declares that he is ready to obtain the job, which he has dreamed of for years; however, he loses his confidence when he nears the Krusty Krab
. Patrick convinces him to go for the job, and so SpongeBob does so, thereby declaring he is ready three more times. Squidward Tentacles
, the head cashier, is cleaning the window (his head is drawn and loser is written above it). Squidward sees that SpongeBob wants the job, and so he tells restaurant-owner Eugene H. Krabs that SpongeBob does not qualify for the job. SpongeBob walks into the Krusty Krab and asks for the job. To get rid of him, Mr. Krabs tells SpongeBob that he can join the 'Krusty Krew' if he passes a "test"
–which is to obtain a "Hydrodynamic Spatula with Port and Starboard Attachments and a Turbo-Drive" (essentially sending SpongeBob on a form of snipe hunt
) believing that there is no such thing and that SpongeBob will never come back trying to find it.
As soon as SpongeBob leaves, five buses drop off a large crowd of hungry Anchovies. They barge into the Krusty Krab, demanding Krabby Patties. Attempting to keep things in order, Squidward complains about their behavior, then requests that there be a single-file line in front of the cash register. But the anchovies angerly protest, forming a riot of angry anchovies set to resemble a stormy sea. This forces Squidward and Mr. Krabs to climb up the 'mast'. Thinking that it is the end for them, they say their good-byes. Suddenly, SpongeBob arrives, flying with his "hydrodynamic spatula with port and starboard attachments and a turbo-drive" (according to SpongeBob, the Barg'n Mart only had one in stock). Mr. Krabs is flabbergasted at the fact that SpongeBob actually passed the "test." SpongeBob flies into the kitchen and as fast as he can, satisfies the needs of the angry anchovies.
When the last anchovy gets his Krabby Patty, Mr. Krabs is delighted. He hires SpongeBob, by welcoming him to the Krusty Krew and giving him a nametag. Then, Mr. Krabs calls for three cheers for SpongeBob. Even though Squidward is upset, Mr. Krabs does not listen to him because he wants to go and count the money he just made in his office. At the end, Patrick walks in and asks for a Krabby Patty. SpongeBob races into the kitchen and makes a huge stream of Krabby Patties which hit Patrick and send him flying out of the restaurant. Worried, Squidward calls Mr. Krabs to come see his new employee.
at what is now the Orange County Ocean Institute. During this period, Hillenburg became fascinated with animation
, and wrote a comic book
entitled The Intertidal Zone starring various anthropomorphic forms of sea life, many of which would evolve into SpongeBob SquarePants characters, including "Bob the Sponge", who was the co-host of the comic and resembled an actual sea sponge
as opposed to SpongeBob. In 1987, Hillenburg left the institute to pursue his dream of becoming an animator
, and began to envision the possible concept of a project involving anthropomorphic sea life, drawing several rough sketches. In 1992, Hillenburg began to attend the California Institute of the Arts
to study animation
, having been accepted into the institute by Jules Engel
, who was impressed with Hillenburg's previous work.
While attending animation school, Hillenburg received a job on the children's TV series Mother Goose & Grimm, and worked on the series from 1991 to 1993. When attending the California Institute of the Arts, he made his thesis
film entitled Wormholes, which was funded by the Princess Grace Foundation and was later displayed at various animation festivals. In 1993, Hillenburg graduated from the institute, earning a Master of Fine Arts
in experimental animation. In 1995, Joe Murray, creator of Rocko's Modern Life
, met Hillenburg at one of said animation festivals, and offered him a job as a director
of the series. Hillenburg then joined the Nickelodeon animated series as a writer
, producer
, and storyboard
artist during the series' third season, continuing his position for much of the fourth season. The third season episode "Fish-N-Chumps" (November 12, 1995) was directed by Hillenburg, and involved Rocko
, Heffer
, and Filburt
going on a fishing trip, oblivious to the fact that a pair anthropomorphic fish are attempting to catch them from underwater. While working on Rocko's Modern Life, Hillenburg became friends with Tom Kenny
, who was later approached by Hillenburg to become the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, and future SpongeBob SquarePants collaborators Doug Lawrence, Paul Tibbitt
and others.
Rocko's Modern Life ended in 1996. Shortly following this, Hillenburg began working on SpongeBob SquarePants, teaming up with several Nickelodeon veterans and Rocko crew members. To voice the character of SpongeBob, Hillenburg approached Tom Kenny, who had worked with him on Rocko's Modern Life. Originally SpongeBob was to be named SpongeBoy but this name was already in use. This was discovered after voice acting for the original seven minute pilot was recorded in 1997. The Nickelodeon legal department discovered that the name was already in use for a mop product. Upon finding this out, Hillenburg decided that the character's given name still had to contain "Sponge" so viewers would not mistake the character for a "Cheese Man." Hillenburg decided to use the name "SpongeBob." He chose "SquarePants" as a family name as it referred to the character's square shape and it had a "nice ring to it".
, Stephen Hillenberg, and Nick Jennings returned with, described by Nickelodeon official Albie Hecht
, “a performance [I] wish [I] had on tape”. Although described as stressful by executive producer Derek Drymon, the pitch went “very well”; Kevin Kay
and Hecht had to step outside because they were “exhausted from laughing”, making the cartoonists worried.
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SpongeBob SquarePants aired its first episode, "Help Wanted / Reef Blower / Tea at the Treedome," on May 1, 1999, following the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. The series later made its "official" debut on July 17, 1999 with the second episode "Bubblestand / Ripped Pants."
, "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight
". It is directed like a music video
. A reprise comes in later in the episode as Patrick asks for a Krabby Patty. The episode features many instrumental Hawaii
an songs such as:
and other production music pieces from Associated Production Music
:
Television pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
episode of the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
. It originally aired on Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon (TV channel)
Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
on May 1, 1999 following the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards
1999 Kids' Choice Awards
The 1999 Kids' Choice Awards was the 12th annual edition of the awards on May 1, 1999. It was once again held at Pauley Pavilion at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. Britney Spears performed live from Orlando, Florida. About 6.2 million children participated in voting.-Favorite Movie:* The Rugrats...
; however, the episode was not officially aired until July 24, 1999. In "Help Wanted", the series' main protagonist
Protagonist
A protagonist is the main character of a literary, theatrical, cinematic, or musical narrative, around whom the events of the narrative's plot revolve and with whom the audience is intended to most identify...
, an anthropomorphic sponge named SpongeBob
SpongeBob SquarePants (character)
SpongeBob SquarePants is a main fictional character in the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. He is voiced by Tom Kenny and first appeared on television in the series' pilot episode "Help Wanted" on May 1, 1999. SpongeBob was created and designed by cartoonist Stephen Hillenburg...
, attempts to get a job at the Krusty Krab fast food restaurant
Fast food restaurant
A fast food restaurant, also known as a Quick Service Restaurant or QSR within the industry itself, is a specific type of restaurant characterized both by its fast food cuisine and by minimal table service...
, but the owner Mr. Krabs
Mr. Krabs
Captain Eugene Harold "Armor Abs" Krabs is a fictional character in the American cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants. He is voiced by Clancy Brown. Mr. Krabs is seen in most episodes of the show, as well as in movies, video games, and other media based on the series...
believes he is incompetent for the job and sends him on a snipe hunt
Snipe hunt
A snipe hunt, a form of wild-goose chase that is also known as a fool's errand, is a type of practical joke that involves experienced people making fun of credulous newcomers by giving them an impossible or imaginary task...
to retrieve a supposedly non-existent "rare" spatula. While SpongeBob is away, the establishment is ambushed by a group of anchovy
Anchovy
Anchovies are a family of small, common salt-water forage fish. There are 144 species in 17 genera, found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Anchovies are usually classified as an oily fish.-Description:...
customers, much to the dismay of Krabs and the cashier
Cashier
Cashier is an occupation focused on the handling of cash money.- Retail :In a shop, a cashier is a person who scans the goods through a machine called a cash register that the consumer wishes to purchase at the retail store. After all of the goods have been scanned, the cashier then collects...
Squidward Tentacles; however, SpongeBob returns with the spatula, much to the surprise of Mr. Krabs and Squidward, and caters to the anchovies. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, this episode was not on the SpongeBob SquarePants season one box set due to copyright issues, but was a bonus feature on the season three box set. Critical reception for the episode was generally favorable.
Plot
Following the opening theme song, the introduction of credits includes a typo: when the writers are listed, the name "Stephen Hilleburg" is used instead of the correct spelling, "Stephen Hillenburg."A narrator
Narrator
A narrator is, within any story , the fictional or non-fictional, personal or impersonal entity who tells the story to the audience. When the narrator is also a character within the story, he or she is sometimes known as the viewpoint character. The narrator is one of three entities responsible for...
with a French accent introduces SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated television series, created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg. Much of the series centers on the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the underwater city of "Bikini Bottom"...
, a sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea. SpongeBob's foghorn alarm clock rings, waking him up in the morning. He tells his pet, Gary the Snail that he must be in good shape because this particular day is important. He jumps off his diving board, and lands in his pants. He goes to his exercise room and lifts a bar-weight (which is actually two stuffed animals). Afterwards, SpongeBob declares that he is ready. He runs outside and down the street to the Krusty Krab
Krusty Krab
The Krusty Krab is a restaurant in the city of Bikini Bottom in the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants.-Depictions:The owner of the Krusty Krab is Eugene H. Krabs, although ownership changed to SpongeBob in "Patty Hype" and to Howard Blandy in "The Algae's Always Greener"...
, repeatedly saying, "I'm ready" while his neighbor and best friend, Patrick Star, cheers him on. SpongeBob sees the 'Help Wanted' sign on the Krusty Krab window. He then declares that he is ready to obtain the job, which he has dreamed of for years; however, he loses his confidence when he nears the Krusty Krab
Krusty Krab
The Krusty Krab is a restaurant in the city of Bikini Bottom in the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants.-Depictions:The owner of the Krusty Krab is Eugene H. Krabs, although ownership changed to SpongeBob in "Patty Hype" and to Howard Blandy in "The Algae's Always Greener"...
. Patrick convinces him to go for the job, and so SpongeBob does so, thereby declaring he is ready three more times. Squidward Tentacles
Squidward Tentacles
Squidward Quincy Tentacles is a fictional character on the television cartoon series SpongeBob SquarePants. He is voiced by Rodger Bumpass. The character is an octopus, as his name would not imply Squidward appears in 270 episodes of the series, second only to Spongebob's 305.-Personality:Unlike...
, the head cashier, is cleaning the window (his head is drawn and loser is written above it). Squidward sees that SpongeBob wants the job, and so he tells restaurant-owner Eugene H. Krabs that SpongeBob does not qualify for the job. SpongeBob walks into the Krusty Krab and asks for the job. To get rid of him, Mr. Krabs tells SpongeBob that he can join the 'Krusty Krew' if he passes a "test"
Snipe hunt
A snipe hunt, a form of wild-goose chase that is also known as a fool's errand, is a type of practical joke that involves experienced people making fun of credulous newcomers by giving them an impossible or imaginary task...
–which is to obtain a "Hydrodynamic Spatula with Port and Starboard Attachments and a Turbo-Drive" (essentially sending SpongeBob on a form of snipe hunt
Snipe hunt
A snipe hunt, a form of wild-goose chase that is also known as a fool's errand, is a type of practical joke that involves experienced people making fun of credulous newcomers by giving them an impossible or imaginary task...
) believing that there is no such thing and that SpongeBob will never come back trying to find it.
As soon as SpongeBob leaves, five buses drop off a large crowd of hungry Anchovies. They barge into the Krusty Krab, demanding Krabby Patties. Attempting to keep things in order, Squidward complains about their behavior, then requests that there be a single-file line in front of the cash register. But the anchovies angerly protest, forming a riot of angry anchovies set to resemble a stormy sea. This forces Squidward and Mr. Krabs to climb up the 'mast'. Thinking that it is the end for them, they say their good-byes. Suddenly, SpongeBob arrives, flying with his "hydrodynamic spatula with port and starboard attachments and a turbo-drive" (according to SpongeBob, the Barg'n Mart only had one in stock). Mr. Krabs is flabbergasted at the fact that SpongeBob actually passed the "test." SpongeBob flies into the kitchen and as fast as he can, satisfies the needs of the angry anchovies.
When the last anchovy gets his Krabby Patty, Mr. Krabs is delighted. He hires SpongeBob, by welcoming him to the Krusty Krew and giving him a nametag. Then, Mr. Krabs calls for three cheers for SpongeBob. Even though Squidward is upset, Mr. Krabs does not listen to him because he wants to go and count the money he just made in his office. At the end, Patrick walks in and asks for a Krabby Patty. SpongeBob races into the kitchen and makes a huge stream of Krabby Patties which hit Patrick and send him flying out of the restaurant. Worried, Squidward calls Mr. Krabs to come see his new employee.
Origin of SpongeBob SquarePants
SpongeBob SquarePants was initially conceived in 1984, when creator Stephen Hillenburg was teaching and studying marine biologyMarine biology
Marine biology is the scientific study of organisms in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of water. Given that in biology many phyla, families and genera have some species that live in the sea and others that live on land, marine biology classifies species based on the environment rather...
at what is now the Orange County Ocean Institute. During this period, Hillenburg became fascinated with animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
, and wrote a comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
entitled The Intertidal Zone starring various anthropomorphic forms of sea life, many of which would evolve into SpongeBob SquarePants characters, including "Bob the Sponge", who was the co-host of the comic and resembled an actual sea sponge
Sea sponge
Sponges are animals of the phylum Porifera . Their bodies consist of jelly-like mesohyl sandwiched between two thin layers of cells. While all animals have unspecialized cells that can transform into specialized cells, sponges are unique in having some specialized cells, but can also have...
as opposed to SpongeBob. In 1987, Hillenburg left the institute to pursue his dream of becoming an animator
Animator
An animator is an artist who creates multiple images that give an illusion of movement called animation when displayed in rapid sequence; the images are called frames and key frames. Animators can work in a variety of fields including film, television, video games, and the internet. Usually, an...
, and began to envision the possible concept of a project involving anthropomorphic sea life, drawing several rough sketches. In 1992, Hillenburg began to attend the California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
to study animation
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. The effect is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in several ways...
, having been accepted into the institute by Jules Engel
Jules Engel
Jules Engel was a Jewish-Hungarian American filmmaker, painter, sculptor, graphic artist, set designer, animator, film director, and teacher...
, who was impressed with Hillenburg's previous work.
While attending animation school, Hillenburg received a job on the children's TV series Mother Goose & Grimm, and worked on the series from 1991 to 1993. When attending the California Institute of the Arts, he made his thesis
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
film entitled Wormholes, which was funded by the Princess Grace Foundation and was later displayed at various animation festivals. In 1993, Hillenburg graduated from the institute, earning a Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in experimental animation. In 1995, Joe Murray, creator of Rocko's Modern Life
Rocko's Modern Life
Rocko's Modern Life is an animated series created by Joe Murray. The show aired for four seasons between 1993 and 1996 on Nickelodeon. Rocko's Modern Life is based around the surreal, parodic adventures of an anthropomorphic wallaby named Rocko, and his life in the city of O-Town...
, met Hillenburg at one of said animation festivals, and offered him a job as a director
Animation director
An animation director is the director in charge of all aspects of the animation process during the production of an animated film or animated segment for a live-action film...
of the series. Hillenburg then joined the Nickelodeon animated series as a writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
, and storyboard
Storyboard
Storyboards are graphic organizers in the form of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualizing a motion picture, animation, motion graphic or interactive media sequence....
artist during the series' third season, continuing his position for much of the fourth season. The third season episode "Fish-N-Chumps" (November 12, 1995) was directed by Hillenburg, and involved Rocko
Rocko
Rocko Wallaby is the eponymous fictional character of the cartoon Rocko's Modern Life and the comic book series of the same name. Rocko was born in Australia and emigrated to America in High School. He was pitched to Nickelodeon executives as having the personality of a young wallaby Woody Allen...
, Heffer
Heffer Wolfe
Heffer Wolfe is a fictional character on the cartoon Rocko's Modern Life and the comic book series of the same name. Tom Kenny provided the voice of the anthropomorphic steer...
, and Filburt
Filburt
Filburt is a main and supporting character of the cartoon Rocko's Modern Life and the comic book series of the same name. In the Australian website of the television show, his name is sometimes spelled as Filbert and sometimes as Filburt. In the comic book, his name is spelled Filbert...
going on a fishing trip, oblivious to the fact that a pair anthropomorphic fish are attempting to catch them from underwater. While working on Rocko's Modern Life, Hillenburg became friends with Tom Kenny
Tom Kenny
Thomas James "Tom" Kenny is an American actor, voice actor and comedian. He is especially known for his long-running-role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the television series of the same name, as well as the live-action character Patchy the Pirate, Gary the Snail and the French narrator based on...
, who was later approached by Hillenburg to become the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, and future SpongeBob SquarePants collaborators Doug Lawrence, Paul Tibbitt
Paul Tibbitt
Paul Tibbitt is an American television producer, cartoon writer, storyboard artist, songwriter and voice actorTibbitt is well known for working on the TV series SpongeBob SquarePants. He is currently the Co-Executive Producer of the show...
and others.
Rocko's Modern Life ended in 1996. Shortly following this, Hillenburg began working on SpongeBob SquarePants, teaming up with several Nickelodeon veterans and Rocko crew members. To voice the character of SpongeBob, Hillenburg approached Tom Kenny, who had worked with him on Rocko's Modern Life. Originally SpongeBob was to be named SpongeBoy but this name was already in use. This was discovered after voice acting for the original seven minute pilot was recorded in 1997. The Nickelodeon legal department discovered that the name was already in use for a mop product. Upon finding this out, Hillenburg decided that the character's given name still had to contain "Sponge" so viewers would not mistake the character for a "Cheese Man." Hillenburg decided to use the name "SpongeBob." He chose "SquarePants" as a family name as it referred to the character's square shape and it had a "nice ring to it".
Development
While pitching the cartoon to Nickelodeon executives, Hillenburg donned a Hawaiian shirt, brought along an “underwater terrarium with models of the characters”, and Hawaiian music to set the theme. The setup was described by Nick executive Eric Coleman as "pretty amazing". When given money and two weeks to write the pilot episode (“Help Wanted”), Derek DrymonDerek Drymon
Derek Drymon is an American writer and storyboard artist. He has worked on numerous animated cartoon productions of the 1990s and 2000s, best known for his work on Rocko's Modern Life and SpongeBob SquarePants.-Personal Background:...
, Stephen Hillenberg, and Nick Jennings returned with, described by Nickelodeon official Albie Hecht
Albie Hecht
Albie Hecht is the CEO of Worldwide Biggies, founder of Spike TV, and a former president of Nickelodeon Entertainment.Hecht oversaw the development and production of SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, and the live-action show All That at Nickelodeon...
, “a performance [I] wish [I] had on tape”. Although described as stressful by executive producer Derek Drymon, the pitch went “very well”; Kevin Kay
Kevin Kay
Kevin Kay is an American television executive. In October 2007, he was named president of Viacom's Spike TV, a division of the MTV Network Entertainment Group, after the post remained vacant since December 2006. Kay, who joined the network when it was known as TNN, reports to Doug Herzog, who also...
and Hecht had to step outside because they were “exhausted from laughing”, making the cartoonists worried.
Music
The scene with SpongeBob feeding the anchovies features the song by Tiny TimTiny Tim (musician)
Tiny Tim , , born in Manhattan, was an American singer and ukulele player. He was most famous for his rendition of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" sung in a distinctive high falsetto/vibrato voice.-Rise to fame:Born to Lebanese parents in 1932, Khaury displayed musical talent at a very young age...
, "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight
Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight
"Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight" is a popular song written by Al Sherman and Al Lewis for the 1930 film, The Big Pond starring Maurice Chevalier. The song was also sung by Chevalier who made it famous. Chevalier enjoyed his first American hit with this song...
". It is directed like a music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. A reprise comes in later in the episode as Patrick asks for a Krabby Patty. The episode features many instrumental Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
an songs such as:
- "Hawaiian Train" – Gerhard Trede (under pseudonymPseudonymA pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Victor Cavini) - "Aloha 'OeAloha 'Oe"Aloha ʻOe" is Liliʻuokalani's most famous song and a common cultural Leitmotif for Hawaii. The song was inspired by a horseback trip she took in 1877 to the windward side of Oʻahu...
" – George Kulokahai and his Island Serenaders, Queen Lili'uokalani - "Honolulu March" – George Kulokahai and his Island Serenaders
and other production music pieces from Associated Production Music
APM Music
APM Music is a production music company. Music tracks from APM Music are used in such shows as The Ren & Stimpy Show and SpongeBob SquarePants. NFL Films has a joint venture between the NFL and APM Music where music is composed for NFL-related media...
:
- "Next Door Neighbor" – Rick Cassman, Vyv Hope-Scott
- "Oyster Girls" – Brian Douglas Gulland, Robert Alexander White
- "The Rake Hornpipe" – Robert Alexander White
- "Bartmania A" – Guy MoonGuy MoonGuy Moon is an American composer. He has written music for film and animated television series, such as Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy , The Fairly OddParents ,, Danny Phantom, and more recently, Tak and the Power of Juju , Big Time Rush, T.U.F.F...
Trivia/Goofs
- Stephen Hillenburg in the "Written By" section of the title card was incorrectly spelled as "Stephen Hilleburg".
- During "Living in the Sunlight, Loving in the Moonlight", Tiny Tim sings "Just take it from me, I'm just free as any daughter", but the captions sang, "Just take from me, I'm just free as any brother".
- In the Krusty Krab, all doors to the left of the cash register aren't there. When Mr. Krabs goes to his office, he goes to the right.
- SpongeBob had a pet scallop that he kept in a birdcage. This can also be seen in Missing Identity, and Pineapple Fever.
- In Help Wanted, Gary's eye pupils are red dots, but in further episodes they are black dots in red dots.
- Right before Squidward tells the anchovies to get in a "neat single-file line" one of them says "speak up!".
- The last time SpongeBob says "I'm Ready" in Help Wanted, his collar turns red.
- Despite being the first episode, Help Wanted does not appear in the Complete Season 1 Boxset of SpongeBob on DVD. Although this could be due to Tiny Tim's song being used in this episode.
- When Patrick convinces SpongeBob to go back and ask for a job, if one looks closely, one can see brush strokes.
- Squidward cleans up the graffiti which has an arrow on it, but, in the next scene, the arrow is missing. It's not likely that Squidward cleaned it up since he was looking at SpongeBob at the timing.
- When Mr. Krabs jumps every time he says "Hip, hip!" his white undershirt disappears for less than a second.
- This is the first episode with its name in the episode.