What made Spongebob run for so long?

These are my theories

1. Is a 1999 show(then again, Ed, Edd n Eddy started that year and ended in 2009, however though, Cartoon Network want to keep it going, but the creator ended it due to the tiredness)

Or (this is actually true)

2. Back in 2004-5ish, the creator wanted to end the show, but it was such a cash-cow that Nickeledeon want to keep it going, so they got a new crew and BAM you get Spongebob running for 10+ more years.

I think it would have been better if Spongebob ended like 5 years ago. Instead they decided to ruin the show and make it ran for 16 years. I haven't watched in months. What do you think?

I started watching Spongebob either around 2002 or 2003, became a fan in 2005 and stopped being a fan in 2012.

Because it's one of the few shows on Nickelodeon that was worth watching.

You aren't human. D:

Also: *Eddy

:P

Because Spongebob has dirty humor.

@Gaming-Planet: LOL.

Money dear boy.

I never really liked Spongebob...

"What made spongebob run for so long?"

Money,demand and high amount of fanbase consisting of children are the reason why it ran for longer time than anything else the channel got. I mean really, spongebob lasts for more than a decade while the rest of the shows only last for 1-4 years,screw Jimmy Neutron. Cripes,that kid is way way more notorious to me than the rest of the people...so yeah,spongebob being the mascot of popularity in Nick and the main reason why the channel has got one image to define all of it.

a kitchen sponge who is a friend to a topless starfish.

@Smashbrossive50: what did you think of my theories?

@lucianocasanova: pretty much required a little bit of advanced study and full reasoning why the cartoon hasn't age well.

I started to watch this thing as early as 2001 and hardly see newer seasons now,it's boring and I know that the older seasons has had its own charms...the reason why its demographics are steady is because of episodes on demand from these,you wouldn't have believed how boring the episode "squirrel jokes" is...had this episode aired for 19 to 26 spongebob sessions..cripes,the channel director thought this is the episode that can catch lots of attention,but nooooooooo. there's more to the older season that keeps the show running.

Then again,I don't see the surprise factor that Spongebob is to Nickelodeon as The Simpsons is to Fox..both of these cartoons have long lives and happen to outdate the other shows the channels have in their airing schedules.

Because it's the closest to rugrats Nick had! Everything else was a drama show

It's Nickelodeon's most popular show, which would be my guess as to why it's still around. It's also one of my favorite current shows on Nickelodeon, along with TMNT 2012.

The same reason Assassin's Creed is a yearly title.

@johnd13: money-maker

Sponge Bob is kind of like what Ren and Stimpy was. Zany, whacked out there but still funny show. It's amusing to watch, my wife hates it and won't let our granddaughter watch it when she's over. I don't set out to watch it but I don't mind it because it's something I just can't seem to take my eyes off of, like it's a very distracting show.

Because it's amusing and quirky, well at least, during my time when I was still a kid who did nothing but watch TV all day. I guess that's what made it last. As long as something appeals to kids, it'll always sell.

weed.

@storm-caller: true.

The creator stepped down from the role of the director after the third season and the first movie I think. But they kept making it cuz it brought cash. Which is sad though, because the first 3 seasons are the best, the newer ones don't have the messed up twisted humor anymore and are just plain stupid. I actually have to laugh in almost every episode of the first 3 seasons, while in the newer ones I laugh once every few episodes if Im lucky.

how sad.

Wow, you still like that garbage? I remember back in the day[2002-2008] I would always tune into this channel called Canal 5[Channel 5]. I would always sit down and watch an episode. Realizing how annoying SpongeBob got, how stupider Patrick turned, how Grumpy Squidward got and how Greedy Mr. Krabs got. I decided ''F''k it, I giving up Spongebob''. I sometimes still watch the new episodes just for the heck of it. But still, not a huge fan like I used to be, heck I am not even a fan anymore.

Bump.

What made Spongebob run for so long?

the invasion of BC bud over the border into the states

@lamprey263: WTF?

@lucianocasanova: ask Homer Simpson about it.

Because of manchilds

It's all about Mr. Crabs.

@themajormayor: ok

This and I think a willingness to accept that it's viewers grew out of Spongebob, and thus they changed it back to appeal to younger audiences once again.

Good cast of characters, they are all unique and likeable which has helped it survive so long.

I remember when Spongebob used to be funny.

@CountBleck12: so do I.

How dare you ask that questions !! Spongebob Rocks !!

@LexLas: Not anymore

Because of the theme music.

Society getting dumber - this is what caused the show to even air and run for so long.

Yes he still rocks, his movie just released a month ago. He's as popular as he ever was.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2279373/

@neatfeatguy: true.

@LexLas: the first movie was better.