Help Wanted

**"Help Wanted"** is the first *SpongeBob SquarePants* episode from season one. In this episode, SpongeBob gets a job at the Krusty Krab.

## Synopsis

Deep down in the ocean, the audience is introduced to a small little town known as Bikini Bottom; a narrator with a French accent muses on the wonders of undersea life. The narrator introduces the audience to one of his favorite creatures in the sea, SpongeBob SquarePants. Inside the pineapple where he lives, the yellow and porous SpongeBob sleeps soundly in his bed with three mattresses and a diving board attached. On the floor nearby is SpongeBob's pet snail, Gary, who is also asleep, next to SpongeBob is a foghorn alarm clock, which soon loudly goes off and awakens him.

SpongeBob climbs the diving board, and tells Gary that today is "the big day", with Gary giving a simple "meow" in reply. SpongeBob jumps off of the diving board, and lands neatly into an outfit consisting of square pants, a white shirt, and a red tie. To prepare for the day, he goes to a barbell with two stuffed animals attached, and struggles to lift it, barely managing to get one rep before dropping it with a squeak. He then proclaims, "I'm ready!" and runs outside, heading past an Easter Island head with windows and a door, as well as a brown rock with a bamboo weather vane. The rock opens up to reveal a pink starfish, Patrick Star, sticking underneath it, cheering SpongeBob on before peeling off and falling.

Arriving outside the Krusty Krab, SpongeBob psyches himself up to answer the call of the Help Wanted sign in the window and ask for a job as a fry cook. However, his fears get the better of him and he turns to leave, only to find Patrick in his way. The latter convinces the former that he is truly ready for the job, giving SpongeBob the confidence to make his way over.

Squidward Tentacles, a Krusty Krab employee busy cleaning graffiti off the windows, sees SpongeBob approach, and voices his displeasure, wondering why he is coming so early. He then notices the sign, and shrieks in horror, sprinting inside toward his boss and owner of the restaurant, Eugene H. Krabs. Before Squidward can warn him, SpongeBob enters, and confidently states his intention of joining the Krusty Crew. He starts to approach Mr. Krabs and Squidward, but trips and bounces around the restaurant before landing square on his back in front of them.

Mr. Krabs expresses his concern that SpongeBob is not ready for the job, but the latter asks him to reconsider, and have Squidward vouch for him, who takes Mr. Krabs aside and flatly refuses. Giving Squidward a wink, Mr. Krabs approaches SpongeBob, and says that he can apply once he is completed a simple test: purchasing a seemingly rare "hydro-dynamic spatula." SpongeBob eagerly heads out in his new employee hat to find one, leaving Krabs and Squidward to laugh together about his errand.

As SpongeBob runs to the Barg'N-Mart, a convoy of buses arrives at the Krusty Krab. Mr. Krabs literally smells trouble approaching, and soon after, a hoard of anchovies swarms in, and clamors for food. Squidward calls for their attention, asking them to behave themselves, and make a neat single-file line. His request is rejected, and the anchovies grow more ravenous and unruly. Squidward and Mr. Krabs climb into the cash register rowboat as the anchovies form a rolling ocean, but their boat breaks, and they climb a pole to the ceiling. Facing the end, Mr. Krabs and Squidward say their goodbyes and sob.

From the sky, however, arrives SpongeBob, wielding his new flight-capable hydro-dynamic spatula. Leaving the flabbergasted workers behind, SpongeBob flies into the kitchen, and starts whipping up a batch of Krabby Patties. The anchovies are satiated one by one down to the last, leaving behind a huge fat sack of cash. Mr. Krabs jumps with joy and proudly presents SpongeBob with his own nametag. Squidward tries to protest, but Mr. Krabs is too busy cheering, and carting away the money to notice.

Patrick then arrives, and orders a single Krabby Patty, but SpongeBob engages the spatula once more, and sends Patrick flying out of the restaurant with a flurry of Krabby Patties. Squidward haughtily asks Mr. Krabs to come back, and see his new employee at work, as the song reprises one last time.

## Plot

The episode begins with a narrator with a French accent introducing SpongeBob, a sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea. The scene moves closer to where SpongeBob lives, who actually lives in a pineapple. SpongeBob's foghorn alarm clock rings, waking him up in the morning. He tells his pet, Gary that he must be in good shape because this particular day is important. He jumps off his diving board and then lands in his pants. He goes to his exercise room and lifts a bar-weight (which is actually two stuffed animals put with a metal bar). 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, cheers him on.

SpongeBob sees the "Help Wanted" sign on the window. He then declares that he's ready to obtain the job, which he has dreamed of for years; however, he loses his confidence when he nears the Krusty Krab. Patrick confronts him and quickly convinces him to go for the job, and SpongeBob does so, thereby declaring he is ready three more times. Squidward, 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 runs into the Krusty Krab in an attempt to warn the restaurant-owner Mr. Krabs that SpongeBob doesn't qualify for the job. However, SpongeBob walks into the Krusty Krab and asks for the job before Squidward can say anything. 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 wild goose chase) and to not come back until he gets one. SpongeBob then leaves trying to find one with Squidward and Mr. Krabs laughing and believing that SpongeBob won't find the spatula and will never come back.

As soon as SpongeBob leaves, 5 buses drop off a large crowd of hungry Anchovies. They barge into the Krusty Krab, demanding Krabby Patties. Trying to keep things in order, Squidward complains about their behavior, and then requests that there be a neat, single-file line in front of the cash register. The anchovies furiously protest, forming a riot of angry anchovies that resembles a stormy sea. This forces Squidward and Mr. Krabs to climb up the mast. Thinking that it's the end for them, they say their goodbyes. 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). Squidward and Mr. Krabs are 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 immediately hires SpongeBob, by welcoming him to the Krusty Krew and giving him a nametag. Then, Mr. Krabs calls for three cheers for SpongeBob (in which Squidward unenthusiastically replies "Hooray" all three times). Even though Squidward is upset, Mr. Krabs doesn't listen to him because he wants to go and count the "booty" he had just made in his office. At the end, Patrick walks in and asks for a Krabby Patty. SpongeBob then flies into the kitchen and makes a huge stream of Krabby Patties, which hit Patrick and sends him flying out of the restaurant. Squidward, in a sarcastic and sing-song tone, tells Mr. Krabs to come see his new employee.

## Characters

* SpongeBob SquarePants (*debut*)
* French Narrator (*debut*)
* Gary the Snail (*debut*)
* Patrick Star (*debut*)
* Squidward Tentacles (*debut*)
* Eugene H. Krabs (*debut*)
* Sea urchins (*debut*)
* Shelley (*debut*)
* Bus Driver (*debut*)
* Anchovies (*debut*)
* Betsy Krabs (*mentioned*)

## Locations

* Conch Street
	+ SpongeBob's House
	+ Squidward Tentacles' House
	+ Patrick Star's House
* Krusty Krab
* Barg'N-Mart

## Song

* Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlght

## Trivia

### General

* This episode was produced as a stand-alone pilot before a full season was ordered. Because of this, it originally had no production code. It was later re-cut for broadcast and given the title "Help Wanted." The re-cut was produced along with the theme song sequence in the middle of season one. Together, the re-cut and the theme sequence make up production code "#127."
* This is the only episode where the music is scored by William B. Griggs, M.P.S.E., as the next episode to be produced, "Tea at the Treedome," was scored by Nicolas Carr.
* This is the only episode to use entirely production music from labels, excluding the theme song in both versions. Reef Blower would be the first to include original background music for the series.
* This episode is referenced in "Bottle Burglars" when the bottom of Mr. Krabs' desk says "05-01-99" which is the airdate for this episode.
* During SpongeBob's Grillin' and Villain Saturday, "Reef Blower" was replaced with "SpongeBob vs. the Patty Gadget."
* This episode is not on The Complete First Season DVD and The First & Second Seasons DVD, due to a copyright claim with the song "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight" by Tiny Tim, which is played during the episode. According to Derek Drymon, this is because Nickelodeon did not want to pay Tiny Tim's estate for the rights.
	+ Because of that, this is the only season 1 episode not to be featured on those DVD's.
	+ However, it was included as a bonus in disc 3 of The Complete 3rd Season.
		- However, on the German DVD release of Season 1, the episode is included.
		- This also happened with “Kwarentined Krab” not being on the Complete 12th Season DVD because the plot was similar to the coronavirus pandemic even though this episode was filmed before the pandemic began.
* In the Italian dub, "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight" was mostly cut, most likely for copyright reasons.
* Sometimes "Livin' in the Sunlight, Lovin' in the Moonlight" is replaced with "Twelfth Street Rag"
* This is Bill Fagerbakke's favorite episode.
* This is the very first episode to be ended with a song.
* This is the very first episode that SpongeBob gets a hero-like voice.
* The beginning of the episode, in which SpongeBob says "Today's the big day, Gary" can be seen on a TV in the 2002 comedy film *Orange County*.
* The French Narrator is the first character to speak in the series, if not counting the theme song.
	+ However, if not counting him either, then SpongeBob is technically the first.
* This, "Pickles," "Employee of the Month," "One Krabs Trash," and "Best Day Ever" are the only five episodes to have SpongeBob's bed placed on the right side of his room and not the left.
* It is revealed that SpongeBob's first words were "May I take your order?"
	+ However, in "Truth or Square," he said "Krabby Patty!" and "Yummy!" as an unborn fetus.
* SpongeBob states that he has been training his whole life to join the Krusty Krew. These aspirations are further manifested in the episode "Friend or Foe."
* During the cooking scene, 2 ketchup dispensers have the Flag of Japan on them.
* This is one of the seven episodes in which the 1986-2002 Paramount logo is plastered with the 2002-2011 Paramount logo. The others are "Squeaky Boots," "F.U.N.," "Squidward the Unfriendly Ghost," "Employee of the Month," "Karate Choppers," and "Rock Bottom."
* There is an old *SpongeBob* online game based on this episode called *Anchovy Feeding Frenzy*.
	+ The quote "Go, SpongeBob! Go, SpongeBob! Go, SpongeBob! Go, self!" would later appear in the online game *Reef Rumble* and the Pixter software game *Aqua Adventure*.
* Paramount+ falsely claims that this episode premiered on April 30, 1999.
* SpongeBob's Line saying *I'm Ready* is used in the song I'm Ready from the AJR band.
* On September 7, 2013, there was a live script reading with the voice actors at Universal Studios Hollywood for this episode as part of SpongeBob Fan Shellabration.
* This episode was finished in 1997, but did not air until May 1, 1999, because the cast wanted to change various things. Similar periods between production of pilot episodes and their premiere on television are somewhat regular.
	+ This is also the only episode to be produced that year.
* The end credits for the 1997 and 1999 versions of "Help Wanted" have several differences, including:
	+ In the cast credits in the 1997 version, Bill Fa**ger**bakke's name is misspelled as "Bill Fa**bber**bakke." This error was corrected in the 1999 version.
	+ In the cast credits in the 1997 version, Pa**tr**ick Star's name is misspelled as "Pa**rt**ick Star." This error was corrected in the 1999 version.
	+ Gary the Snail, who was voiced by Tom Kenny, is not credited in the 1997 version. This error was corrected in the 1999 version with Gary being added in.
	+ Carolyn Lawrence, who voiced Sandy, is not credited in the 1997 version. This is because "Tea at the Treedome" had not been produced yet.
	+ In the credits in the 1997 version, Erik W**ie**se's name is misspelled as "Erik W**ei**se." This error was corrected in the 1999 version.
	+ Near the ending of the 1997 version, instead of the United Plankton Pictures, Inc. logo being displayed, there is a logo with the "Created By" text above, the SpongeBob sketch drawing in the middle, and the "Stephen Hillenburg" text below. This is because Stephen Hillenburg had not yet created the company.
	+ The 1997 version is the only episode to be produced by Games Animation, which would later be renamed to Nickelodeon Animation Studio the following year.
	+ At the ending of the 1997 version, there is an early Nicktoons logo that has a small and short copyright notice with a production date of 1997. The ending of the 1999 version has a more detailed and prolonged copyright notice with a production date of 1999.
		- This is the first time where the copyright year does not match the actual production year, in this case, being the 1999 full version. However, this is because its sister episodes were produced in 1999.

Cast credits of "Help Wanted" 1997 version.Cast credits of "Help Wanted" 1999 version.Misspelled "Erik W**ei**se" in the 1997 credits version.Correctly spelled "Erik W**ie**se" in the 1999 credits version.A rare early logo used in the ending of the original 1997 version of "Help Wanted," before United Plankton Pictures, Inc. was created.The United Plankton Pictures, Inc. logo used in the ending of the 1999 version of "Help Wanted."1997 copyright of "Help Wanted."1999 copyright of "Help Wanted."
### Errors

* Stephen Hillenburg's name in the "Written By" section of the opening credits is misspelled as "Stephen Hilleburg," missing the "N" in his surname.
* When SpongeBob is looking at the Krusty Krab he is on the sand. In the next shot, he's on the road.
* When Patrick says, "Who's ready?" his eyelids are pink instead of the usual purple.
* The last time SpongeBob says "I'm ready!" his collar turns red.
	+ The same thing happens in the final shot of making Krabby Patties for the anchovies.
* After Squidward looks back to see SpongeBob, the arrow in the graffiti is gone.
* When SpongeBob arrives at the Krusty Krab, the "Enter" sign in front of the Krusty Krab is *on* the road instead of next to it.
	+ Also, in all the over-head shots of the Krusty Krab throughout the episode, the "Enter" sign is missing.
* In one shot it shows four buses pulling up to the Krusty Krab, but a few shots later, there are five parked.
* When Mr. Krabs yells "Anchovies!," the top of Squidward's mouth is separated with a line.
* Whenever the anchovies say "Meep," their pupils are small, but in the next scene, their pupils are big.
* When Squidward says "Quiet! Is this anyway to behave?," the Krusty Krab's side window and metal back wall are both gone.
* The Chum Bucket is absent when SpongeBob is across the street from the Krusty Krab.
* When the anchovies are picking up the ordering boat, the "Order Here" sign is nowhere to be seen.
* SpongeBob could not make the krabby patty, because Mr. Krabs had not yet lent the secret formula to Spongebob.
* In the over-head shot of the Krusty Krab where the restaurant is jumping left to right, the white spots on two of the Krusty Krab's decorative flags are purple.
* When Mr. Krabs and Squidward hit the pole, a frame of what looks like the alternate or inverted background for the credits appear.
* When Mr. Krabs says, "Climb Mr. Squidward! Climb!," Squidward's upper teeth are purple.
* When Squidward says, "Mr. Krabs!," the anchor illustration on his hat disappears for a split-second.
* When SpongeBob asks "Did someone order a spatula?," the pole Mr. Krabs and Squidward was on had a red covering. In the other scenes, they are blue.
* Every time Mr. Krabs jumps when he says "Hip, hip!" his white undershirt disappears for a split-second.
* In one scene SpongeBob's teeth turn yellow.

## Videos

SpongeBob SquarePants Original Theme Clip 1997Old Promo from Kids Choice Awards - SpongeBob SquarePants (1999)Firsts from the First Episode -TBT - SpongeBobSpongeBob's Official Debut 🦀 The Very FIRST 5 Minutes of Help Wanted!"Help Wanted" 🍔 Animatic - SpongeBob SquarePantsSpongeBob SquarePants First Episode in 5 Minutes! 🐟 HELP WANTED