Several compilation DVDs that contained episodes from the season were released. The SpongeBob SquarePants: Season 6, Volume 1 and 2 DVDs were released in Region 1 on December 8, 2009, and December 7, 2010, respectively, while the complete set was released in Region 2 on November 29, 2010, and Region 4 on December 2, 2010. On November 13, 2012, The Complete Sixth Season DVD was released in Region 1.
In 2009, Nickelodeon began celebrating the tenth anniversary of the show with Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants, a documentary special by filmmaker Patrick Creadon, that discusses the history of the show and the ascent of the "absorbing character's journey to pop culture stardom".[8][9][10] Creator Stephen Hillenburg, speaking by phone from Southern California, said "Ten years. I never imagined working on the show to this date and this long. I really figured we might get a season and a cult following, and that might be it."[11] In an interview, Tom Kenny told that "What I'm most proud of is that kids still really like it and care about it [...] They eagerly await new episodes. People who were young children when it started 10 years ago are still watching it and digging it and think it's funny. That's the loving cup for me."[12]
The sixth season featured many guest celebrities, including actor Johnny Depp (left) and English singer and Spice Girls member Victoria Beckham (right), among others. The two accepted to lend their voices to the show because their children were fans.
In addition to the regular cast members, episodes feature guest voices from many ranges of professions, including actors, athletes, authors, musicians, and artists. For instance, in the episode "House Fancy", television personality Alton Brown guest starred as the character of Nicholas Whithers, the host and judge of a show of the same name.[36] In an interview, Brown described the work as "a blast." He said "I came up with this voice that didn't sound anything like me. I channeled this very strange person. Only three people I know figured out it was even me when they saw it."[37] Actor and musician Johnny Depp guest starred in the episode "SpongeBob SquarePants vs. The Big One" as the voice of Jack Kahuna Laguna, a surf guru that taught SpongeBob how to surf.[38][39][40] According to Sarah Noonan, vice president of talent and casting for Nickelodeon, Depp accepted the role because he and his kids were fans of the show.[41] The episode was also guest starred by musician and The Monkees' Davy Jones who starred in the episode as himself, appearing at the bottom of the sea with his locker,[42][43] and Bruce Brown providing vocal cameo as the episode's narrator.[44]Brian Doyle-Murray also reprised his role as the Flying Dutchman for the episode.[45] In "The Card", Ernest Borgnine returned, reprising his role as Mermaid Man. Borgnine later reappeared in the episodes "Ditchin'" and "Shuffleboarding", voicing his recurring role, with Tim Conway as Barnacle Boy. In "Dear Vikings", English actor Ian McShane voiced Gordon, the leader of the large group of Vikings outside of Bikini Bottom.[46]Dennis Quaid also appeared in the "Grandpappy the Pirate" as Grandpa Redbeard, Mr. Krabs' grandfather.[36] Furthermore, Dee Snider, the frontman of the heavy metal band Twisted Sister, guest starred in "Shell Shocked" as Angry Jack.[36] Snider said "I knew they must be fans [of mine] because in the SpongeBob movie, they took my song 'I Wanna Rock' and changed it to 'Goofy Goober Rock.' I flipped at the opportunity to be in the show. I have four kids, and everybody loved SpongeBob."[37] In the entry "The Clash of Triton", English singer Victoria Beckham guest starred in the episode as the wife of King Neptune, Queen Amphitrite.[47][48] The writers created the role of a Queen Amphitrite especially for Beckham.[49][50] The former Spice Girl accepted the role because her sons, Brooklyn, Romeo, and Cruz, love the show,[51][52] were excited when their mother told them of the role, and looked forward to watching the episode with her.[53][54] Beckham recorded the voice-over in late-2008[49] in a day,[50][55] and claimed that she was "thrilled" to provide the vocal cameo.[56][57][58] Other guests in the episode included Seinfeld actor John O'Hurley as King Neptune and Skid Row heavy metal vocalist Sebastian Bach as the voice of Triton.[59][60][61]
The season received mixed to positive reviews from media critics. In a DVD review, Paul Mavis of DVD Talk "highly recommended" the set, saying "[The season has a shaky start], but the laughs definitely pick up on the second disc."[95] In particular, Mavis praised the episode "The Splinter" as "one of the very best SpongeBob [episodes]," while "Slide Whistle Stooges", "Boating Buddies", and "The Slumber Party" were described by Mavis as "SpongeBob season's best offerings."[95] In a separate review for the "Volume 2" DVD, Mavis only "recommended" it.[96] He said that the episodes, including "Choir Boys", "Pet or Pests", "Overbooked", "Shell Shocked", "Komputer Overload", "Chum Bucket Supreme", and "Single Cell Anniversary" are "solid entries" and "all deliver steady laughs," but has doubts that "they're on a par with series' best entries like 'The Splinter', 'Slide Whistle Stooges', 'Boating Buddies', and 'The Slumber Party'."[96]
In a DVD review for the individual episode DVD release Spongicus, Roy Hrab of DVD Verdict gave this season a negative review and said that "In my previous SpongeBob reviews I have commented that series has lost its edge. This offering does nothing to change my opinion. But what the heck do I know? Clearly, the show continues to maintain a large following and the franchise is a license to print money for Nickelodeon."[97] The DVD consists of eight episodes and praised the episodes "Not Normal" and "Gone" by describing them "the best episode on the disc" and "a decent episode", respectively.[97] Also from DVD Verdict, Gordon Sullivan, on the DVD release To SquarePants or Not to SquarePants, said that "[it is] a solid collection of SpongeBob SquarePants episodes."[98] He added that "My only serious problem with this set is that it's only eight episodes long; a more complete season-style release would be more efficient. On the technical front everything is fine, with the bright, solid colors of Bikini Bottom shining through clearly and all the dialogue and effects clear and detailed."[98] Sullivan gave the episodes "The Splinter", "Slide Whistle Stooges", and "The Krabby Kronicle" an 8/10 rating, while "Boating Buddies" received the lowest rating with 3/10.[98]
"House Fancy": Squidward watches a television show about fancy houses, and his rival Squilliam is featured on it. He gets on the show, and SpongeBob helps him redecorate and prepare. After an unintentional explosion rearranges the remains of his house in an abstract style, the host declares Squidward the winner.
"Krabby Road": After getting out of jail and having Karen leave him, Plankton forms a rock band with SpongeBob, Patrick, and Squidward in another attempt to get the formula.
102
2
"Penny Foolish"
Alan Smart
Storyboarded by : Aaron Springer (director) Written by : Aaron Springer and Dani Michaeli
"Penny Foolish": Mr. Krabs sees SpongeBob pick something up, assuming it is a penny. He becomes jealous, and he soon starts hallucinating the penny everywhere. He tries various methods of getting SpongeBob to give him the penny, but to no avail. When he breaks into SpongeBob's house to find the penny, he is noticed, and SpongeBob reveals that he had picked up a piece of dried gum for his gum collection (actually a five-hundred dollar bill). Mr. Krabs leaves, and digs around SpongeBob's house, still thinking he has the penny.
"Nautical Novice": SpongeBob's studies the complete history of boating in preparation for a class field trip to a museum.
"Spongicus": Plankton turns the Chum Bucket into a Colosseum as a ploy to draw customers.
"Suction Cup Symphony": Squidward tries to compose a symphony, but is distracted by SpongeBob and Patrick playing outside. However, the cephalopod accidentally writes their noises into it, giving him unexpected success.
104
4
"Not Normal"
Andrew Overtoom
Storyboarded by : Casey Alexander and Zeus Cervas (directors) Written by : Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, and Derek Iversen
"Not Normal": After Squidward tells SpongeBob he is "not normal," he completely reinvents himself. After his "normal" changes spread over to his job, he consults Patrick for help to turn "weird" again.
"Gone": SpongeBob awakes to find everyone in Bikini Bottom is gone, but he doesn't know why, so he tries to take on all the roles of everyone in Bikini Bottom. After trying to act like Mrs. Puff, he gets his own boat and starts obsessing over it.
105
5
"The Splinter"
Tom Yasumi
Storyboarded by : Nate Cash and Sean Charmatz (directors) Written by : Nate Cash, Sean Charmatz, and Steven Banks
"The Splinter ": While working at the Krusty Krab, SpongeBob accidentally gets a splinter. Because of this, Squidward threatens him with being sent home.
"Slide Whistle Stooges": SpongeBob and Patrick play with slide whistles. Squidward joins in, but takes the joke too far, eventually ending up in the hospital after crashing a truck.
106
6
"A Life in a Day"
Andrew Overtoom
Storyboarded by : Chris Reccardi (director) Written by : Chris Reccardi and Dani Michaeli
"A Life in a Day": Patrick follows Larry the Lobster's advice to live life on the edge.
"Sun Bleached": SpongeBob and Patrick convert the latter's house into a tanning bed so they can go to a party with all their friends, but SpongeBob stays under the tanning bed for too long and gets "sun bleached." He gets help from Patrick to cover up his condition.
107
7
"Giant Squidward"
Alan Smart
Storyboarded by : Luke Brookshier and Nate Cash (directors) Written by : Luke Brookshier, Nate Cash, and Richard Pursel
"Giant Squidward": SpongeBob and Patrick spray Squidward with fertilizer, which makes him grow gigantic. Squidward tries to prove to the citizens of Bikini Bottom that he is not a "monster."
"No Nose Knows": Patrick gets a nose, but his grudge against stench makes SpongeBob, Squidward, Sandy, and Mr. Krabs very angry.
108
8
"Patty Caper"
Andrew Overtoom
Storyboarded by : Casey Alexander and Zeus Cervas (directors) Written by : Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, and Eric Shaw
"Patty Caper": When the Krabby Patty secret ingredient is stolen, SpongeBob and Patrick have to find out who is responsible for the crime. At the end, Mr. Krabs (after failing to blame SpongeBob) explains that he took the ingredient just to avoid paying $1.99 for the delivery. He is arrested and punished by forcibly giving away free Krabby Patties for a day.
"Plankton's Regular": The Chum Bucket finally gets a customer, who becomes a regular. SpongeBob and Mr. Krabs try to steer the customer away. At the end, it is revealed that Karen actually paid the customer to eat at the Chum Bucket, and he hated the food.
109
9
"Boating Buddies"
Andrew Overtoom
Storyboarded by : Aaron Springer (director) Written by : Aaron Springer and Richard Pursel
"Boating Buddies": Squidward gets a boating ticket and is forced to join SpongeBob at boating school.
"The Krabby Kronicle": Mr. Krabs begins publishing a sensationalist newspaper at the Krusty Krab, though he goes too far when he orders SpongeBob to write slanderous stories about various citizens to boost the newspaper's profits.
110
10
"The Slumber Party"
Alan Smart
Storyboarded by : Tom King (director) Written by : Tom King and Dani Michaeli
Storyboarded by : Casey Alexander and Zeus Cervas (directors) Written by : Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, and Dani Michaeli
193–619
"The Slumber Party": Mr. Krabs is kicked out of the house when Pearl has a slumber party, so he sends SpongeBob to spy on her in various comedic escapades.
"Grooming Gary": SpongeBob enters Gary in a pet show, with unforeseen consequences.
"Porous Pockets": SpongeBob becomes rich after finding a pearl, and abandons Patrick to hang out with his new wealthy "friends", as his personality is consumed by greed. Eventually, he runs out of money, and his "friends" ditch him, and he realizes the error of his ways.
"Choir Boys": SpongeBob stalls Squidward on his way to the men's choir.
113
13
"Krusty Krushers"
Alan Smart
Storyboarded by : Nate Cash and Sean Charmatz (directors) Written by : Nate Cash, Sean Charmatz, and Derek Iversen
Storyboarded by : Luke Brookshier and Nate Cash (directors) Written by : Luke Brookshier, Nate Cash, and Steven Banks
193–621
"Krusty Krushers": Mr. Krabs enters Patrick and SpongeBob in a wrestling match to win money, but the two can do anything but fight, and keep getting beaten. However, their childlike nature prevents them from getting injured.
"The Card": SpongeBob learns about a very rare animated trading card hidden inside packs of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy trading cards, and spends all his money trying to find one. When Patrick ends up finding the card in the last pack in the store, he uses it for various unhygienic and destructive means, causing SpongeBob to think it will lose its value.
114
14
"Dear Vikings"
Tom Yasumi
Storyboarded by : Aaron Springer (director) Written by : Aaron Springer and Dani Michaeli
Storyboarded by : Casey Alexander and Zeus Cervas (directors) Written by : Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, and Dani Michaeli
193–628
"Dear Vikings": Vikings kidnap Squidward and SpongeBob.
"Ditchin'": SpongeBob ditches boating school in order to attend a comic book signing by his favorite superheroes. However, various distractions, including a badminton match, tar pits, and a hugging festival, prevent SpongeBob from returning to school.
115
15
"Grandpappy the Pirate"
Alan Smart
Storyboarded by : Casey Alexander and Zeus Cervas (directors) Written by : Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, and Dani Michaeli
"Grandpappy the Pirate": Mr. Krabs lies to his grandfather that he is a pirate. When his grandfather comes over to visit, Mr. Krabs renovates the Krusty Krab into a pirate ship and has his employees (and Patrick) act as sailors.
"Cephalopod Lodge": SpongeBob and Patrick get Squidward expelled from the Cephalopod Lodge, and try to get him readmitted.
116
16
"Squid's Visit"
Tom Yasumi
Storyboarded by : Casey Alexander and Zeus Cervas (directors) Written by : Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, and Derek Iversen
"Squid's Visit": Squidward won't come over to SpongeBob's house no matter how many times he asks, so SpongeBob creates an exact replica of the inside of Squidward's house.
"To SquarePants or Not to SquarePants": After SpongeBob has to buy a pair of rounded pants because his square ones shrunk in the washing machine, he takes on a new personality.
117
17
"Shuffleboarding"
Andrew Overtoom
Storyboarded by : Luke Brookshier and Nate Cash (directors) Written by : Luke Brookshier, Nate Cash, and Derek Iversen
"Shuffleboarding": Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy are injured, so SpongeBob and Patrick take their places in a shuffle boarding match.
"Professor Squidward": Squidward begins teaching a music class under the alias of Squilliam, but problems begin to occur when SpongeBob and Patrick are two of his students.
118
18
"Pet or Pests"
Andrew Overtoom
Storyboarded by : Aaron Springer (director) Written by : Aaron Springer and Richard Pursel
"Pet or Pests": SpongeBob is left with a litter of baby worms after Gary scares the mother away, so he tries to find them a new home.
"Komputer Overload": Scapegoating Karen for his years of failures to steal the formula, Plankton replaces her with new robots in order to destroy the Krusty Krab and get the secret formula - all to no avail.
119
19
"Gullible Pants"
Alan Smart
Storyboarded by : Luke Brookshier and Nate Cash (directors) Written by : Luke Brookshier, Nate Cash, and Derek Iversen
"Gullible Pants": Mr. Krabs needs an emergency manicure and SpongeBob is left in charge of the Krusty Krab for fifteen minutes. Squidward tells SpongeBob "secrets," such as that he should serve food with his feet, and SpongeBob is gullible enough to comply with all of them.
"Overbooked": SpongeBob becomes pressed for time when he is enlisted to help Patrick, Sandy, and Mr. Krabs simultaneously.
120
20
"No Hat for Pat"
Tom Yasumi
Storyboarded by : Casey Alexander and Zeus Cervas (directors) Written by : Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, and Dani Michaeli
"No Hat for Pat": Jealous that SpongeBob and Squidward wear hats when they go to work at the Krusty Krab, Patrick gets hired as a tourist attracter by Mr. Krabs. However, Patrick's stint as "The Falling Fool" gets more and more dangerous, so SpongeBob has to intervene to save his best friend.
Note: This episode premiered as a Comcast On Demand exclusive on July 6, 2009 before airing on Nickelodeon on July 19.[116]
"Toy Store of Doom": SpongeBob and Patrick accidentally get locked in a toy store after it closes. The two both hallucinate that the toys are turning against them, and battle a toy robot.
121
21
"Sand Castles in the Sand"
Andrew Overtoom
Storyboarded by : Casey Alexander and Zeus Cervas (directors) Written by : Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, and Dani Michaeli
"Sand Castles in the Sand": SpongeBob and Patrick's day of building sandcastles at Goo Lagoon takes an odd turn when they end up in a senseless all-or-nothing war against each other using sand-built-weaponry.
"Shell Shocked": SpongeBob accidentally breaks Gary’s shell, so he must find him a new one.
122
22
"Chum Bucket Supreme"
Tom Yasumi
Storyboarded by : Sean Charmatz (director) Written by : Sean Charmatz and Dani Michaeli
"Chum Bucket Supreme": Plankton realizes that advertising generates business for the Krusty Krab, so he hires Patrick as his advertising executive. Patrick amazingly succeeds in getting business for Plankton, simply by advertising a misspelled slogan. Mr. Krabs gets enraged by the situation, so he works hard to lure the customers away from the Chum Bucket and back to the Krusty Krab.
"Single Cell Anniversary": Plankton and Karen are having their anniversary, and Plankton cannot get a gift for her. SpongeBob helps him out with finding a gift "from his heart."
SpongeBob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Krabs, and later, Plankton, get trapped in the freezer during the Krusty Krab's anniversary celebration. While finding a way to escape, the five recall various moments from the past in flashback sequences.
125
25
"Pineapple Fever"
Tom Yasumi
Storyboarded by : Aaron Springer (director) Written by : Aaron Springer and Derek Iversen
Storyboarded by : Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, and Aaron Springer (directors) Written by : Casey Alexander, Zeus Cervas, Aaron Springer, Steven Banks, and Paul Tibbitt
King Neptune will not celebrate his birthday until SpongeBob and Patrick find his long lost son, Triton.
DVD release
The first 24 segment episodes of the sixth season were released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment in the United States and Canada on December 8, 2009.[95] The "Volume 1" DVD release features bonus material including animated shorts.[95] The remaining 23 segment episodes were also released under the title "Volume 2" in the United States and Canada on December 7, 2010.[96] The DVD release also features bonus material including music videos, shorts and featurettes.[96] In Region 2 and 4, the DVD release for the season was a complete set. On November 13, 2012, The Complete Sixth Season DVD was released in Region 1, two years after the season had completed broadcast on television.[122]