Next up, we've got "Funny Pants", a rather forgettable episode that veers on the side of disliked. This episode also features the first use of "
Happy Sponge Chase Vibes", which is lowkey a title card song used for some of the most forgettable episodes in this show. I also thought this song was used a lot more than it actually has been, though it did come back for "The Krusty Bucket" after an over 100-episode absence so, that's cool. I hadn't rewatched this episode for a very long time before writing this review, but I did actually rewatch it for the purposes of writing this today, so that's fun! I don't usually do that but considering that this episode is one of those commonly disliked ones, I thought I'd at least give it a chance, you know? And so give it a chance I did. And...yeah the dislike is a bit warranted.
So here's the thing. I don't understand why the writers thought it would be a good idea to make an entire episode about SpongeBob's laugh (just like I don't understand why the writers of "A Day Without Tears" thought it would be a good idea to make an entire episode about SpongeBob crying). SpongeBob's laugh is supposed to be a decently annoying sound, but not too annoying. And you know why it's not too annoying? Because it doesn't span entire episodes! Also, I'm convinced the directors of this episode asked Tom Kenny to laugh as annoyingly as possible, because SpongeBob's laugh is
never this bad anyway. And that's the main problem with this episode, it's hard as H to listen to. SpongeBob finding the most mundane things funny is perfectly in character, and I have no problems with that, but the fact that his laugh is ear-grating is not good at all. I will say though, I like the visuals of Squidward being driven to insanity by SpongeBob's laugh. And of course, Squidward lying in bed troubled is basically a meme at this point.
Another problem with this episode is that it is not very funny, which in the absence of anything actually to dislike about this episode, makes it rather boring. Like the "another day another nickel" joke is not very funny just as Squidward says, and SpongeBob repeating it a whole bunch doesn't make it any funnier. Other than that, the plot is kind of meh, with Squidward making up an illness so SpongeBob will stop laughing. SpongeBob's ensuing attempts to try not to laugh are fine. Of course, he has to be presented with a million obstacles in doing so. And some of them are decently funny, like Patrick slipping on the banana peel. Okay that one was a bit more than decently funny, it got a good chuckle out of me. And then SpongeBob running away and burying himself in a hole is pretty funny, because of how random it is, and also the severity with which he does it. Also, the part where SpongeBob imagines being in an Iron Laugh Box thing is actually pretty funny, I laughed at that one.
After this, the episode just gets meh again because the plot with SpongeBob trying not to laugh was way more interesting than him thinking he's lost his laugh. And seeing SpongeBob sad is not something anyone really wants to see, much less for an entire like 5-6 minutes. I like the part where SpongeBob gets stuck on Patrick's head though, that was hilarious. And then Squidward is an absolute jerk about it, which makes the ending of this episode all the more sweeter. Actually, I wanted to talk about that. This episode really just feels like a redux of "I Had An Accident", except more...malicious because it's Squidward tricking SpongeBob into thinking he can't laugh just so he can get some peace and quiet. And yes, it's malicious, because SpongeBob doesn't really do anything wrong in this episode, he just has an annoying laugh. Which is why the universal justice at the end is satisfying, and a great bit of irony. I also love the bit of self-awareness Squidward has when he confesses to SpongeBob, that was a nice touch.
The ending of this episode really does save things for me, because the role reversal between SpongeBob and Squidward is hilarious and once again is full of universal justice. SpongeBob just suddenly stopping and being like "it's not really that funny" and then just closing the door in Squidward's face is amazing. And then Squidward losing his laugh box, just to get SpongeBob's is great. So yeah, this episode ends really nicely.
"Funny Pants" starts off pretty middling and ends pretty alright. But it also is a pretty dull episode at many different points. However, it doesn't anger me like an episode in my (barely) "Tolerable" tier does. It's "crime" is being unfunny more than once, which is why I think it belongs in my "Mediocre" tier. If it didn't fail at being funny so many times, it probably would've moved up to "Okay".
Episode Tier: Mediocre
Episode Score: 5.5/10
