SpongeBob's 25th Anniversary Spectacular

"SpongeBob's 25th Anniversary Spectacular" is a musical TV special that will air on July 14th, 2024 on Nickelodeon, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the long-running children's animated series SpongeBob SquarePants. In the special, Colonel Carper returns, and convinces the Bikini Bottom gang to embark on a world tour. SpongeBob doubts that it's a good idea -- a feeling that's proven right when look-alike SpongeTom escapes from prison, takes SpongeBob's place, and lands him in prison. While the sponge tries to convince his captors of his true identity, SpongeTom and Colonel Carper (actually Sticky Fins Whiting in disguise) are free to carry out their plan to steal Bikini Bottom's crown jewels. This will have elements that celebrate classic fan-favorite episodes, as well as new songs. Guest stars will include Andy Samburg (as the voice of Colonel Carper, reprising his role from the episode "Hello Bikini Bottom!"), Tina Fey, Julie Andrews, Ariana Grande, Usher, Zach Galifianakis, Catherine O’Hara, and Meryl Streep.
== Plot ==
In Bikini Bottom, SpongeBob's foghorn alarm clock goes off and he gets up excitedly. This is a very special day that he cannot wait to celebrate with all his friends. But things are about to take a turn for the worse. Colonel Carper returns and suggests that SpongeBob go on a new tour with him as his tour manager. He explains that he is no longer greedy and wants to put the complications of the previous tour behind him. SpongeBob is hesitant, but his friends love the idea. Unbeknownst to the Bikini Bottom gang, Colonel Carper is working for a criminal mastermind named SpongeTom, a near-exact doppelgänger of SpongeBob. SpongeTom escapes from prison and begins plotting with Colonel Carper to steal the Bikini Bottom Crown Jewels. When SpongeBob and his friends arrive, Colonel Carper books a prestigious venue for them to perform at. Frustrated with the group's incessant requests, SpongeBob goes for a walk at Colonel Carper's suggestion. SpongeTom ambushes SpongeBob and rearranges his face, making him look exactly like SpongeTom. Mistaken for SpongeTom, SpongeBob is arrested and sent to prison. SpongeTom takes SpongeBob's place. Colonel Carper convinces most of the Bikini Bottomites that SpongeTom is SpongeBob, but Sandy is immediately suspicious of SpongeTom. During the show that night, SpongeTom and Colonel Carper steal paintings from a nearby museum. The next morning, Officer John and Officer Nancy collaborate to apprehend the culprit, whom Officer John believes to be "Sticky Fins Whiting", the second most wanted criminal in the world. Meanwhile, SpongeBob attempts to escape prison several times but is repeatedly thwarted by prison guard Nadya (played by Fey), who eventually deduces his true identity. Nadya orders SpongeBob to help organize the prisoners' annual talent show. Following hidden instructions on the stolen painting of King Neptune, SpongeTom and Colonel Carper divert the tour. SpongeTom allows the Bikini Bottomites to plan their own performances, which confuses Patrick due to SpongeBob's usual systematic method of planning the performances. During the show that night, SpongeTom and Colonel Carper break into the Bikini Bottom Museum to steal a key needed for their impending theft of the Crown Jewels. Despite the performance being chaotic and incongruent, the show receives critical acclaim. John and Nancy deduce that the tour is connected to the crimes. The pair interrogates each of SpongeBob's friends, but decide the they are all too stupid to plan such elaborate crimes. The instructions on the stolen key lead SpongeTom and Colonel Carper to schedule the next show in Atlantis. In Atlantis, Mr. Krabs discovers that Colonel Carper has been giving away show tickets and bribing critics to ensure a packed house and rave reviews, while Sandy notices SpongeBob's resemblance to SpongeTom. They both realize that SpongeTom has taken SpongeBob's place, with Colonel Carper's help. SpongeTom attacks Mr. Krabs and Sandy, but Patrick fends him off and the three escape from the train to rescue SpongeBob. Patrick, Mr. Krabs, and Sandy reach the prison on the night of the talent show. They help SpongeBob and multiple other prisoners escape. SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs, and Sandy infiltrate the tower, and Colonel Carper manages to steal the Crown Jewels. SpongeBob interrupts the ceremony, revealing SpongeTom's ruse. In response, SpongeTom takes Patrick hostage and flees to a helicopter, where he is intercepted by Colonel Carper, who is actually Sticky Fins, and intends to double-cross him. SpongeTom ejects Sticky Fins from the helicopter and tries to escape with Patrick, but SpongeBob jumps aboard and the rest of the gang climb atop each other to stop the escape. SpongeBob and Patrick subdue SpongeTom. Officers John and Nancy arrest SpongeTom and Sticky Fins. Nadya arrives, intending to arrest SpongeBob for organizing the biggest prison escape in Bikini Bottom history. Sandy tells Nadya if she arrests SpongeBob, she would have to arrest all of them as well. Even Squidward agrees. Nadya relents and pardons SpongeBob. They all perform "Best Day Ever" at the prison with SpongeTom and the other prisoners participating.
== Cast ==
=== Voice Cast ===
* Tom Kenny as SpongeBob/Gary/French Narrator/SpongeTom
* Bill Fagerbakke as Patrick
* Rodger Bumpass as Squidward
* Clancy Brown as Mr. Krabs
* Carolyn Lawrence as Sandy
* Mr. Lawrence as Plankton/Larry the Lobster/Officer John/Potty the Parrot
* Jill Talley as Karen
* Mary Jo Catlett as Mrs. Puff
* Lori Alan as Pearl
* Dee Bradley Baker as Perch Perkins/Bubble Bass
* Sirena Irwin as Officer Nancy
* Andy Samberg as Colonel Carper (disguise)
* Joe Pantoliano as Sticky Fins Whiting
=== Live-Action Cast ===
* Tom Kenny as Patchy the Pirate
* Tina Fey as Nadya
=== Cameo Guest Stars ===
Julie Andrews, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Salma Hayek, and Meryl Streep appear as themselves.
Jemaine Clement plays The Prison King; Danny Trejo, Dylan "Hornswoggle" Postl, Ray Liotta, Tom Hiddleston and Josh Groban appear as prison inmates. Stanley Tucci plays Ivan, a prison Watchtower Guard.
James McAvoy, Chloë Grace Moretz, Jason Segel, Rob Corddry, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Celine Dion, Zach Galifianakis, Catherine O'Hara, and Usher also appear in minor cameos.
== Songs ==
"We're Doing a Special" - sung by Patchy the Pirate and Potty the Parrot
"I'm Number One" - sung by SpongeTom and Colonel Carper
"The Big House" - sung by Nadya and prisoners
"I'll Get You What You Want" - sung by SpongeTom
"Interrogation Song" - sung by Officer John and Officer Nancy
"My Heart Will Go On" - sung by Ariana Grande as herself
"Working in the Coal Mine" - sung by The Prison King
"The Best Day Ever" - sung by everyone
== Gallery ==
Category:SpongeBob SquarePants
Category:Nickelodeon
Category:Anniversaries
Category:Specials