SpongeBoy (also known as "Sponge Boy") was the prototype name for the main protagonist, SpongeBob SquarePants. The name eventually was changed to SpongeBob after the Nickelodeon legal department found out that the name was copyrighted, as it was already in use, possibly by an art themed pencil product. For many years, it was believed that it was a mop.[1] This theory was disproven thanks to the account of various staff members as well as the lack of registered trademarks for a "SpongeBoy Mop" being known to exist.[2] A character named SpongeBoy in Flaming Carrot Comics was also believed to be a reason for the name change.
Description
His appearance was practically the same as SpongeBob's, except he wore a red, blue, green and yellow hat. He also had longer and pointier shoes along with the hat. He seemed to have a goofier facial expression in contrast to the modern-day SpongeBob. He had more of an abstract style, alongside the others.
References in the series
The show has occasionally called back to SpongeBob's original incarnation as SpongeBoy:
- The series has made references to SpongeBoy's name and image in a few episodes:
- In "Squeaky Boots," Mr. Krabs shouts out "SpongeBoy, me Bob!" when SpongeBob first walks into his office.
- In "Frankendoodle," SpongeBob says, "DoodleBoy, stop!" when he's referring to DoodleBob to stop hurting Squidward.
- In "It's a SpongeBob Christmas!," Plankton says, "Now I just need to figure out what to do about ol' SpongeBoy."
- In "One Trick Sponge," SpongeBob says, "I've been trying to learn this trick since I was a SpongeBoy."
- In "Dream Hoppers," SpongeBoy is visible on a TV in SpongeBob's dream for a split-second.
- In "Friendiversary," SpongeBoy is seen in a photo in SpongeBob's memory book with Squidward.
The image with SpongeBoy.
The original scene.
- In The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, an image of SpongeBoy is seen in a dedication to Stephen Hillenburg. Also, in one scene, the Krusty Krab grill has a yellow sticky note with SpongeBoy drawn on it.
- As well as that, on the Netflix icon for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run, SpongeBoy can be seen on the picture frame on the picture of SpongeBob crying as the original was a picture of Kamp Koral.
Trivia
- With the name of this character, the original name for the show was going to be SpongeBoy, Ahoy!.
- SpongeBoy has 13 holes always visible on his head. SpongeBob has seven.
References
- ^ Cormier, Roger (January 5, 2016). 14 Things You May Not Have Known About 'SpongeBob SquarePants'. Mental Floss. Retrieved on May 21, 2018.
- ^ Kid Leaves Stoop (September 7, 2022). The SpongeBoy Mop Doesn't Exist. Retrieved on October 19, 2022.