servinsomesassin
Member
In the early 2010s, there was a significant wave of criticism directed at SpongeBob SquarePants online. Many viewers expressed fatigue over the show's pervasive presence and lamented the perceived mean-spiritedness and grotesqueness of the Paul Tibbitt era. In contrast, Rugrats, which had faced its own backlash in the 2000s for being overexposed (And the post 9/11 "edgy" vibe of the 2000s just not taking well to it), experienced a resurgence in appreciation. Audiences began to celebrate its wholesome nature and its ability to address mature themes with sensitivity, leading to a reevaluation of its later episodes, especially when compared to the Tibbitt era of SpongeBob.
As the negativity surrounding SpongeBob began to wane, particularly with the release of post-sequel episodes that many viewed as a revival, Rugrats still gained momentum. By 2017-2018, it appeared poised for a significant comeback, especially with the announcement of a reboot that excited fans, particularly due to the involvement of original co creator Paul Germain (Though he, Arlene and Gabor stepped down during development). For a time, both shows were equally liked online.
In recent years, however, there has been a noticeable shift towards a more positive perception of SpongeBob. While some criticisms persist regarding Kamp Koral and Nickelodeon's reliance on it, the show has largely become a beloved staple. Even the Tibbitt era is experiencing a reappraisal. Conversely, Rugrats has faced increased scrutiny, with detractors not only criticizing the reboot but also asserting on platforms like Twitter that the original series was merely a fad with little cultural significance. Critics have labeled the show as dull and overly simplistic, echoing sentiments from the 2000s (Even though shows like Bluey, Hey Arnold and Phineas and Ferb have a similar down to earth tone, and the cartoon community likes them), and some have even suggested that it has aged as poorly as Doug. This is probably down to people getting tired of Nickelodeon relying on their legacy properties.
Interestingly, Kamp Koral has not attracted as much negativity as the 2021 Rugrats reboot. Notably, even commentator Mr. Enter has remarked that Rugrats has deteriorated more than SpongeBob and has been subjected to greater commercialization. This raises an intriguing question: was much of the nostalgia for Rugrats a byproduct of fatigue with SpongeBob? (By the way, I'm not using this thread to criticise SpongeBob. I like both shows, but it's just an observation)
As the negativity surrounding SpongeBob began to wane, particularly with the release of post-sequel episodes that many viewed as a revival, Rugrats still gained momentum. By 2017-2018, it appeared poised for a significant comeback, especially with the announcement of a reboot that excited fans, particularly due to the involvement of original co creator Paul Germain (Though he, Arlene and Gabor stepped down during development). For a time, both shows were equally liked online.
In recent years, however, there has been a noticeable shift towards a more positive perception of SpongeBob. While some criticisms persist regarding Kamp Koral and Nickelodeon's reliance on it, the show has largely become a beloved staple. Even the Tibbitt era is experiencing a reappraisal. Conversely, Rugrats has faced increased scrutiny, with detractors not only criticizing the reboot but also asserting on platforms like Twitter that the original series was merely a fad with little cultural significance. Critics have labeled the show as dull and overly simplistic, echoing sentiments from the 2000s (Even though shows like Bluey, Hey Arnold and Phineas and Ferb have a similar down to earth tone, and the cartoon community likes them), and some have even suggested that it has aged as poorly as Doug. This is probably down to people getting tired of Nickelodeon relying on their legacy properties.
Interestingly, Kamp Koral has not attracted as much negativity as the 2021 Rugrats reboot. Notably, even commentator Mr. Enter has remarked that Rugrats has deteriorated more than SpongeBob and has been subjected to greater commercialization. This raises an intriguing question: was much of the nostalgia for Rugrats a byproduct of fatigue with SpongeBob? (By the way, I'm not using this thread to criticise SpongeBob. I like both shows, but it's just an observation)
