‘SpongeBob’ Fans Are Ropeable Over The Super Bowl’s Paltry 15-Second Tribute

SpongeBob Squarepants fans have expressed their indignation at the divisive Super Bowl LIII halftime show after a tribute to the cartoon’s creator wound up much shorter than many viewers expected.

First, some context. Following the death of animator and marine biologist Stephen Hillenburg last year, a SpongeBob Squarepants fan started a petition for the NFL to include a performance of the tune Sweet Victory – a number performed by SpongeBob & Co. in the cartoon during a Super Bowl-esque football match – during the actual Super Bowl.

That petition wound up with well over a million signatures, and the league took notice. In a nod to SpongeBob fans, the NFL did include a reference to the song during a halftime show transition from headliners Maroon 5 to Travis Scott‘s Sicko Mode. 

Here’s how it looked:

WHAT'S HAPPENING?! ???? pic.twitter.com/uJyr7FNVr3

— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) February 4, 2019

And here’s how fans reacted to the gesture:

Wait… is that it? from BikiniBottomTwitter

We didn’t get sweet victory instead we got sicko mode from BikiniBottomTwitter

We are all Squidward on this day from BikiniBottomTwitter

Hey Maroon 5, I made this for you… from my tears! from BikiniBottomTwitter

when i saw spongebob during the halftime show but they didnt do the song: pic.twitter.com/VgcLJ8qFm2

— CreepyPastaJr. (@CreepyPastaJr) February 4, 2019

That 5 second Spongebob cameo vs the rest of the halftime show. pic.twitter.com/eaXPco9Njx

— Kofie Banks in a secret agent outfit (@KofieYeboah) February 4, 2019

THEY PROMISED US SPONGEBOB TO SING SWEET VICTORY AS A TRIBUTE FOR STEPHEN HILLENBURG

THEY INSTEAD INTRODUCED A SHITTY RAPPER, AND DIDN'T PLAY SWEET VICTORY

YOU HAD ONE JOB #Superbowl pic.twitter.com/IUtgCbotz5

— Proplexus (@IgnoreThisGuyM8) February 4, 2019

Put some respect on sponge bob name

— luka fallback sabbat (@whoisluka) February 4, 2019

A Twitter account belonging to Nickelodeon, the show’s original network, also expressed some frustration at the fifteen-second-long transition.

Def would have appreciated more SpongeBob, but maybe we’re biased? ???????? #HalfTimeShow #SBLlll #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/OEY0M2Dx2c

— Nickelodeon Animation (@NickAnimation) February 4, 2019

The lack of nautical nonsense is only one of the reasons people have expressed their disappointment at the halftime show, which has been pretty thoroughly savaged by everyone who isn’t automatically wowed by the sight of a gradually-disrobing Adam Levine. 

If you’re keen to luxuriate in hatred, feel free to cop broader reactions to the show right HERE.