SpongeBob SquarePants is an American animated comedy television series created by marine biologist and animator Stephen Hillenburg for Nickelodeon. The series' pilot episode aired on May 1, 1999, and the series' first season ended on November 16, 1999. The series has since aired 13 seasons and has spawned a media franchise. SpongeBob SquarePants is set in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom. The series follows the adventures of SpongeBob SquarePants, a cheerful and optimistic sea sponge who works as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab, a popular fast food restaurant. SpongeBob lives with his pet snail Gary in a pineapple under the sea. A fanart SpongeBob SquarePants progress bar for YouTube with SpongeBob Pointing.