Spongebob Classics

My thoughts in general: The other day, I came across this video called "Spongebob Classics." The voice actors from Spongebob Squarepants recorded over the audio track of scenes from famous Hollywood films. They performed the same lines, only in their Spongebob Squarepants characters' voices. I found the video humorous. I also think it is pretty typical of videos that we see in our YouTube culture. I am not a die-hard Spongebob fan, but I enjoy an occasional episode, but you don't have to know anything about the cartoon to enjoy the comedic re-dubbing in this video. Here you go:





My thoughts on application: This is another example of media which can promote discussion about post-modernity and intertextuality. There are some interesting points of discussion from this video. I think the choice of film clips is worth discussing. All three of the films in the video are iconic. Of particular note is the inclusion of Singin' in the Rain, which deals with the advent of sound film. Considering the fact that the scene used is the one when the director is trying to get Lena Lamont to speak into the microphone, it is ironic that all the voices we hear in the video have dubbed over the original voices because in the film Lena actually does end up getting dubbed over. In The Godfather, a lot of emphasis has been placed on Marlon Brando's voice for Vito Corleone (such as Brando placing cotton balls in his mouth). Thus, it draws even more attention to Spongebob Squarepants' voice coming from Marlon Brando's character. It is evident at times that Spongebob is even speaking with cotton balls in his mouth.
This video could prompt a lot of discussion, especially if the cartoon Spongebob Squarepants is brought into the conversation. There is so much to discuss about post-modernism, absurdism, etc. in the cartoon. Bringing this background information into the discussion about "Spongebob Classics" could be very beneficial to teaching this concept in the classroom.

It also opens the way to having an assignment in which students re-dub video. This assignment could be used to discuss the importance of how audio is used in tandem with visual media...