SpongeBob vs. The Big One

I mentioned previously about my bemusement as to the SpongeBob phenomenon. Colleen set me straight as to his appeal for kids.

I witnessed that appeal first hand after giving 2 1/2 year old Jack a SpongeBob DVD for Christmas. Crystal set him up to watch it on his DVD player and for over an hour, Jack was completely engrossed. Transfixed. Mesmerized.

Such is the power of the sponge...

On March 3rd, Nickelodeon released the latest installment of the waterlogged franchise about the square pants wearing hero that lives in a pineapple under the sea: SpongeBob vs. The Big One. Featuring a vocal cameo by Johnny Depp (as yet another "Jack"--Jack Kahuna Laguna, surfing guru that is...) in the title episode in which SpongeBob and friends stranded on an island (No sign of Kate, Sawyer or the Smoke Monster on this remote isle...) and need to learn how to surf in order to get back home.

The DVD includes an additional six episodes of the animated show, plus Plankton's Sinister Commentary and the Ridin' the Hook music video as extras. The runtime is approximately 1.5 hours, which means you can catch up on chores, bills (even take a nice long bath!) while your rugrat (or "rugrats") are captivated by Bob, Squidward, Patrick and Sandy.

Do we even care how or why SpongeBob manages to exert his spellbinding force? It reminds me of the time I tried to explain a fax machine to my grandmother. After telling her that it transmitting images via phone lines, she asked "How does it do that?"

"It's magic, Grandma..." I replied.

That's my only explanation for Bob L'Eponge, too.