"We determined some story elements were not kid-appropriate".
In yet another example of a headline that only 2021 could produce, episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants have been pulled from streaming services because of concerns over their storylines.
The episode 'Mid-Life Crustacean' has been taken "out of rotation" and is now no longer to stream on Paramount+ or purchase on services such as Amazon. The episode "Kwarantined Krab," that was due to air in the ongoing season 12, also appears to have been shelved, though both have been pulled for quite different reasons.
Let's start with the season three episode 'Mid-Life Crustacean.' The episode centres around Mr Krabs having a mid-life crisis and SpongeBob and Patrick's attempts to cheer him up. The problematic scene which probably led to the episode being out of rotation since 2018, is when Patrick suggests a "panty raid," resulting in the three breaking into Mr Krabs' mum's house and stealing all her underwear.
Nickelodeon have not confirmed whether this scene is the reason behind the disappearance of the episode, saying only that the episode has "been out of rotation since 2018, following a standards review in which we determined some story elements were not kid-appropriate."
The episode has now also been removed from Amazon Prime.
Now onto 'Kwarantined Krab.' It seems that this episode has been banished to the vault due to the fact that its storyline bears some striking similarities to the current coronavirus pandemic. In a
statement to IGN a representative for Nickelodeon said that the episode "centres on a virus storyline, so we have decided not to air it due to sensitivities surrounding the global real-world pandemic."
Apparently the episode involves an outbreak of "clam flu" at the Krusty Krab, resulting in the quarantine of all customers inside. The episode ends up with a Twilight Zone-esque scenario in which all the characters begin distrusting each other, accusing each other of having the virus and throwing them in the freezer as a result.
It conquered sport. It conquered festivals. It conquered holidays. And now it seems that Covid-19 has taken its latest victim: SpongeBob SquarePants. When will it end...
