Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
… or anyone whos ever seen the season-twoSpongeBob SquarePantsepisode Squirrel Jokes.
What was the inspiration behind writing this episode?Im trying to remember.
This was 21 years ago!
This was my first TV gig, and as comedy writers, there was this complete commitment to jokes.
It was boot camp for me.
We would work all night long, like,Whats the funniest drawing?
Paul and I would do this together because we were a team on all of our episodes.
Youd have to stand up in front of the entire crew and perform the episode.
That was part of the conversation this desperation to have the laugh at all costs.
But that scenario could have played out anywhere in aSpongeBobepisode, like at the beach or work or whatever.
But 21 years ago, it just wasnt as common to have this conversation.
It was the collective experience of growing up with that.
I was excited to see that it had that kind of relevance.
It had been so long since I returned to those episodes.
Im just so heads-down, working in animation.
I was excited that it was part of the conversation.
We definitely believed then and believe now that comedy should tackle more difficult parts of the human experience.
Thats what comedy served then; thats what it serves now.
But I think the conversation isBut at all costs, it shouldnt be at someone elses expense.
Were just very conscious now of who or what the jokes are directed at.
Im glad you brought up that ending.
Its really indicative of the time.Yeah, and it makes sense.
Thats what comedy is about.
Everything is funny.And its just not the case.
Say youre talking about yourself, and someone identifies with those things youre making fun of in yourself?
Then thats hurtful to them.
What youre saying is SpongeBob hadnt seenNanetteat the time.
Hannah Gadsby wasnt around to teach him that.[Laughs.]
You mentionedSpongeBobwas your first TV writing job.
What was your relationship to comedy at the time?
Was anyone who co-wrote this episode involved in stand-up?
I know Tom Kenny comes from the comedy world.There was one story artist-writer.
Hes the guy who does the voice of Plankton, Mr. Lawrence.
I have this vague memory that he wasinvolved in the stand-up scene.And definitely Tom Kenny.
But I think its almost a cliche we all had this painful past.
Thats where the comedy chops get developed, as a survival mechanism.
We have to see the absurdity in the nightmare of growing up to make it through that stuff.
The weirder it got, the stranger our drawings got.
It felt psychedelic, drug-infused.
That old adage that laughter is the best medicine is absolutely true.
I was theantagonist of the fourthShrekmovie, which was very exciting and fun to do.
Mike Mitchell and I made the firstTrollsmovie together, and I got to play this character called theCloud Guy.
Thats something I really like being able to do.
Outside of pitching sequences on shows, thats very close to stand-up comedy.
Its like workshopping a play.
So people started getting it in their heads because I was doing that one role.
It felt like a win for the team, like the entire crewwasthat character.
I think you opened up a little window into my brain.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
