Crew Interviews

1: So, Mr. Lawrence. Who are you exactly, and what do you do?

Who am I ?! Don’t you read my blog? I invented escalators last year, but they already had them. I am a cartoonist slash animator slash writer slash director slash vocal performer. They call me “the Slasher”. But I can’t do it all at once without some kind of painful truss. I am also known for my participation in the early stages of television shows and movies as a developer. I can also rebuild your den and or family room at cost.

2. How did you get to where you are today?

Today I’m in a conscious state. I get there by waking up in the morning and soaking my head in brine. If you meant my career I started as an animator on The Ren and Stimpy Show when I was 9 years old. Incredible isn’t it? I got to my position in cartoons by staying fresh and keeping my tightie whities clean. Good advice for all you aspiring artists.

3. When you first started on SpongeBob, were you a writer or a voice actor, or did you jump into both at the same time? Does doing one help with the other?

I was already a voice actor and director/writer when I came on to SpongeBob. But I was also known for writing characters and voicing them on other shows like Rocko’s Modern Life. Writing and playing Plankton is very stimulating because I can carry through an idea to its completion. Hopefully making it all the funnier because I already connect with the material I’m reading. It makes Plankton more dynamic, I hope.

4. How has your approach to writing episodes of SpongeBob changed over the last ten years?

Well ten years ago we were still trying to figure out who Plankton was and why he was funny, so we could keep him going as a running character on the show. Now everyone knows exactly how to handle him, and my performance comes a little more naturally then it used to.

5. Do you get more say on a Plankton episode than the other writers? Which episodes are your favorites and what do you feel makes for the best Plankton stories?

I used to write all the Plankton shows back in the beginning. That was my little show within the show, I was pretty lucky with that. Later as the years went on and more writers were added to the show, there was no need to keep hogging Plankton all to myself. My favorite Plankton stories are the ones where he shows how complex his neurosis really is - that way audiences can sympathize a little with him. Otherwise he’s just a pain in the pants who steals stuff. I like all his episodes, but my favorites are the ones we’re making right now.

6.I’m a lonely guy, so Plankton’s computer wife Karen really speaks to me. How does their relationship affect Plankton’s plots and the show in general? If I wanted to make a wife for myself, could you help me upgrade my Apple II?

Look I’m not a therapist so please get help somewhere else. I want more Karen on the show. The great Jill Talley plays my wife on the show and my favorite part of the voice over is sometimes getting to improv a little with her; she is hysterical and brilliant. Her husband Tom Kenny is a real jerk though. I think he plays a character on the show too, but it escapes me. The married life of an evil genius is the funniest thing to me, so in that regard it definitely enhances Plankton’s stories making him more than just your typical bad guy. In regards to your Apple problems: try a pear they are higher in vitamin c and oh so delicious.

7. What is your favorite SpongeBob moment from the last ten years?

My favorite moment is still in ‘Frankendoodle’ when I play the live-action artist in the boat that frames the episode. We shot that at Dana Point at the Ocean Institute on the water right off the pier. I like to be an actor when I can, it’s nothing but fun. The next time you see me will be playing a live-action ventriloquist in the SpongeBob Tenth Anniversary show, coming soon.

8.How has the show changed from the first season to now?

It hasn’t changed at all really, it’s still funny. That’s why it’s still here I think. It’s changed in look perhaps as all cartoons do over time, and our voices have evolved. I think Tom does SB’s voice higher than he used to and I’ve been doing Plankton’s voice lower just to balance things out.

9. If you had one piece of advice to give to Plankton, what would it be?

Advice for Plankton? I could give him all kinds of advice but he won’t listen. Plankton is doomed to never get his hands on the Krabby Patty secret formula…because it’s not funny if he gets it. It’s only funny when he can’t. The dye has been cast by the writers of SpongeBob planning the fate of this poor guy. Lucky for him he loves being evil, that’s what keeps him from going crazy. I have some marital advice for him: Keep Karen happy and you’ll enjoy your maniacal destruction all the more; and a virtual bouquet of flowers from time to time wouldn’t kill ya.

10. Where do you think SpongeBob will be ten years from now?

Things come and go in entertainment, so it’s hard to predict anything like that, but I hope The Sponge is around forever. If the show is still revered by fans and enjoyed by future generations it just means I’ll be at a convention signing someone’s body parts. And that sounds pretty good to me.

Questions by Andy Goodman - Senior Production Assistant

Answers by Mr. Lawrence - Writer on SpongeBob SquarePants