SpongeBob BingePants iHeart Radio Podcast Premieres
SpongeBob SquarePants enthusiasts of every age have something new and fun to look forward to this fall. Debuting today, the Nickelodeon SpongeBob Binge Pants All-New Original Podcast begins airing on iHeart Radio with 40 weekly episodes planned. The show is hosted by SpongeBob SquarePants mega fans Frankie Grande (Henry Danger) and Hector Navarro (Geek & Sundry), both millennials who grew up with the original beloved Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants animated series which officially debuted in 1999.
The tongue-in-cheek podcast, an audio recap and commentary of each episode way back to the beginning of this very popular kids series, is intended to appeal to a broad audience age-range including younger and older fans alike.
Along the way, as they rewatch and analyze each episode, the show's dynamic host duo -- as well as an impressive list of special guest interviews -- will be diving deep, revealing secrets, fun facts and more about the loveable yellow sponge character and the rest of his Bikini Bottom friends. Throughout the show's first podcast season, a full lineup of entertaining and eclectic show guests will share their own 2 cents and chime in about anything and everything SpongeBob SquarePants.
A Q&A With the New Podcast's Hosts
One of the things I like most about being an influencer is covering what's new in family-friendly entertainment that I think you will enjoy. Nothing is more thrilling than to go behind the scenes to talk directly to the talent and share all about their brilliant insights with you, especially when we're talking about one of the most popular and enduring of children's entertainment dynasties.
So, without further adieu, here is the recap of MBE's interview with both SpongeBob BingePants Podcast hosts: Frankie Grande and Hector Navarro.
Janis Elspas, Mommy Blog Expert
Q: Both of you are millennial kids who grew up with SpongeBob SquarePants. Who is your personal favorite character and why?
Frankie Grande, SpongeBob BingePants Host
A: I've always related to SpongeBob Square Pants, including today. I'm attracted to his effervescence, unapologetic love of everything around him, his volume level -- these are things I deeply identify with -- and of course, his laugh, just the fact that he tries to bring joy into the world. That's something I've tried to do every single day. So I think I've always been a SpongeBob.
Hector Navarro, SpongeBob BingePants Host
A: I think I've always loved Patrick Star most because Patrick is the funniest cartoon character. He makes me laugh more than any other character probably from any cartoon I have ever seen. It is so difficult to do a really smart dumb character and Patrick is a brilliant smart dumb character. So that's why I love him, I loved him as a kid and I love him now even more as an adult because I can really appreciate the writing and the performance.
Janis
Q: Who would you like most to interview as a guest on the SpongeBob BingePants Podcast, living or dead, and why?
Hector
A: For sure, Stephen Hillenburg, the show's creator who sadly passed away in 2018. But I feel so lucky I was able to talk to him years ago and tell him as a fan how much the show meant to me. Stephen was an amazing guy and -- in some place beyond what we know of as our existence -- it would be so wonderful to see him again and have another chance to talk with him. We have an awesome lineup of guests for this first season, though, and we've only really just scratched the surface of possibilities.
Frankie
A: Of course, I'd want to interview Stephen, too, but unfortunately he's gone. Still, if I could interview anyone living or dead, my go-to person would probably be Dame Maggie Smith. I would love to know what her SpongeBob story is. Can you even imagine having her on our show? The great actress would say (in her British accent) something like, "I believe my favorite is Squidward." Looking torward other wish list guests, I hope one day we get to have Tom Kenny, who plays SpongeBob. Now that would be a truly iconic interview!
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| Frankie Grande |
About Frankie Grande
Born in New York in 1983, Frankie is an multi-faceted performing artist and pop culture icon with roles as a dancer, actor, singer, producer, television host, and YouTube personality. His resume includes performing on Broadway (Rock of Ages, Mamma Mia!), producing and appearing in multiple cabaret acts and in his one-man show Livin La Vida Grande. In 2017 the pop culture icon with 2.1M followers on Instagram guest-starred for two episodes as Frankini on Henry Danger, another Nickelodeon show.
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| Hector Navarro |
About Hector Navarro
Self-described as a cartoon nerd, Hector Navarro was born in 1988 on the opposite coast in San Diego, California. He holds a Media Arts and Animation degree from The Art Institute of California and is a former Nickelodeon intern. Over the years, he has worked in visual effects (The Avengers, Iron Man 3, and the Shrek movies) as well as an actor and producer. Projects include Callisto 6, Shield of Tomorrow, and Pencils and Parsecs, he has also worked as a Geek & Sundry host, among other gigs. Follow him on social @Hectorisfunny
About SpongeBob BingePants
The SpongeBob BingePants podcast that just debuted is co-produced by Nickelodeon and iHeartRadio. Starting today the new 40-episode weekly show will be available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts can be heard. During the first season, guests revealed to date include SpongeBob SquarePants show cast and crew: Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, Kenny Pittenger, and Jennie Monica, with additional talent to be announced. Get a peek at the fun that lies ahead with the official trailer now on YouTube. Then, keep up with the latest news about this entertaining podcast, by following @Nickelodeon, @NickAnimation and @SpongeBob on social.
