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References to adult themes / jokes is common in kids content.

It's a nod to the parents in the room who are forced to watch these shows/movies.

The first two seasons of Spongebob worked very well for adults. After all, what kid would understand the hilarious references to Jacques Cousteau?

After the writers' strike ended, Spongebob never regained its mojo.

I dunno, I put Spongebob's fall from grace right around the movie. Before that things were pretty excellent, even if they weren't always stellar they were decent.

Was that title a Seinfeld reference? Obviously kind of generic, but also one of the most famous sitcom episodes of all time, even moreso in the early 2000s

I never considered it but now that's my headcanon :)

Kids shows containing "bonus" jokes/references for adult viewers is extremely common. Sesame Street is known for it

https://theweek.com/articles/457851/8-sesame-street-parodies...

https://www.thedailybeast.com/10-most-inappropriate-sesame-s...

The episode where arthur punches DW becoming a meme

Brightened my day. ;)