The creator of the popular animated series "SpongeBob SquarePants," Stephen Hillenburg, sought to create a world that was both unique and relatable. SpongeBob's underwater world provides viewers with a similar haven to the treehouse you built in your backyard as a child to escape from everyday life.

In Hillenburg's mind, Bikini Bottom was a place apart from the outside world, with its own history, culture, and sense of humor. He wanted this universe to be self-contained, so that SpongeBob, Patrick, and Mr. Krabs could have their own experiences without being influenced by larger pop or American culture.

The audience finds the show more imaginative and immersive as a result of this strategy. Like a good storybook, "SpongeBob SquarePants" immerses viewers in an oceanic paradise full of oddball characters and their bizarre adventures, where everything makes sense according to the rules and logic of that world.

Hillenburg made sure the humor in Bikini Bottom grew naturally from the characters and circumstances by removing all allusions to outside culture. This choice demonstrates his dedication to developing a coherent, internally consistent universe that captivates both adults and children with its whimsical charm and deft storytelling.