<Tr> <Td> ← Previous--</Td> <Td> Next → "Reef Blower" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> SpongeBob SquarePants (season 1) List of SpongeBob SquarePants episodes </Td> </Tr> <P> "Help Wanted" is the pilot episode of the American animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants . It originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on May 1, 1999, following the television airing of the 1999 Kids' Choice Awards . The episode follows the protagonist, an anthropomorphic sea sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants, attempting to get a job at a local restaurant called the Krusty Krab . However, he is tasked to find a seemingly non-existent high - caliber spatula because the owner, Mr. Krabs, considers him unqualified for the position . Eventually, crowds of ravenous anchovies stop by the Krusty Krab and demand meals . SpongeBob returns from his errand, having fulfilled the request of Mr. Krabs and found a mechanical spatula . He utilizes the spatula to fulfill the anchovies' hunger . SpongeBob is then welcomed by Mr. Krabs as a Krusty Krab employee . </P> <P> Series creator Stephen Hillenburg initially conceived the show in 1994 and began to work on it shortly after the cancellation of Rocko's Modern Life in 1996 . To voice the character of SpongeBob, Hillenburg approached Tom Kenny, who had worked with him on Rocko's Modern Life . For the series pitch, Hillenburg originally wanted the idea of having SpongeBob and Squidward on a road trip, inspired by the 1989 film Powwow Highway . Hillenburg gave up the idea, and started new with the idea he and Derek Drymon came up for "Help Wanted" based on an experience Hillenburg had in the Boy Scouts . The original idea would be used for the later episode "Pizza Delivery". </P>

When did spongebob start working at the krusty krab
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