Over the course of its existence, Nickelodeon has produced an array of memorable and enjoyable cartoons ranging from CatDog to Invader Zim to The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius. As successful as these shows were, two modern Nickelodeon cartoons seem to triumph above the rest. SpongeBob SquarePants has become a definitive cartoon for the network, garnering attention from adults and kids alike with its lighthearted comedy. In The Fairly OddParents, audiences were treated to a not so traditional coming-of-age story featuring magic and adventure which centered on a 10-year-old Timmy Turner and his fairy godparents, Cosmo and Wanda.
To some, SpongeBob will always be the best Nickelodeon cartoon as it holds a special place in fans' hearts. To others however, The Fairly OddParents was the pinnacle of animated storytelling, thereby making it the best modern-day Nickelodeon cartoon.
10 Fairly OddParents: The show had more pop culture references
Some might argue that The Fairly OddParents was a more sophisticated cartoon since it made countless pop culture references throughout its time. Though some fans might have been too young for certain references and jokes, the nods were a nice addition, especially for a kids show. Certain characters were modeled after real life celebrities during that time, like Chip Skylark, who was a parody of the members of NSYNC, unironically voiced by Chris Kirkpatrick.
Various other celebrities made a cameo/guest appearance too, like the Paul Stanley from KISS, Jay Leno, and even Alec Baldwin. The show was like an Easter egg hunt, so re-watching the series was exciting because there was always something new to discover and notice.
9 SpongeBob: The show spawned & entire franchise
Few animated shows have become as big and as famous as SpongeBob. The only other animated franchise that arguably rivals and possibly surpasses SpongeBob is the Simpsons, but in terms of animated kids shows, SpongeBob is pretty much at the apex.
SpongeBob isn't only on TV nowadays. There are video games, board games, books, and even amusement park rides based on the character. In other words, fans can still indulge in the franchise and universe without necessarily having to just watch the shows. Given the franchise that it created, it is hard to argue against the show's fame and success.
8 Fairly OddParents: The show had some great hour-long specials & crossovers
As great as SpongeBob is, the show most definitely works best as a pair of shorts yoked together in a 30-minute time slot. The SpongeBob movies just don't compare to the shows; they aren't as engaging and they seem to operate outside of the established canon. The Fairly OddParents on the other hand have had some great 30+ minute specials and TV films.
"Channel Chasers" was an excellent and fun TV movie that was even nominated for an Annie Award back in 2005. The Jimmy Neutron and Timmy Turner crossover specials were also amazing as they perfectly balanced both universes, and shows, while simultaneously expanding their respective franchises and stories. Nothing on Nickelodeon at that time even came close to matching these specials and TV movies.
7 SpongeBob: The Fairly OddParents got worse over the years
Though both shows have gone downhill over the years, it is undeniable that The Fairly OddParents has gone even further down the trenches than SpongeBob. The series started off strong but as time went on, the storyline became gradually worse, sparking strong opposition and backlash from fans.
Because of the direction of the show, fans stopped watching. The Fairly OddParents should have ended earlier than it did and it was clear the series struggled for attention in its later seasons. From the irrelevant plot to the addition of unnecessary characters, everything about the show became worse than when it debuted.
6 Fairly OddParents: More Developed Characters
As great as SpongeBob and Patrick are, they don't really change throughout the series; there's not much character development with them, which can be both good and bad. Timmy Turner on the other hand feels like a real character. Even though he's only 10 years old in the series, we get a lot of character progression from him. Timmy makes mistakes, learns, and moves on, like a real kid.
Because of this, Timmy and the other characters in The Fairly OddParents don't feel as one-dimensional as the characters in Spongebob. In other words, there is more substance to them, making them feel less like a prolonged gag.
5 SpongeBob: It's a funnier show
For a kids show, SpongeBob is quite hilarious. The jokes and gags are just better than anything in The Fairly Oddparents. The SpongeBob humor is lighthearted and isn't too intellectual for audiences. As a result, both adults and children can indulge in the show.
SpongeBob is simply a silly show. Fans don't have to think too much about anything. It's not violent or overtly stupid, well at least at first, and the show is an easy watch. At the end of the day, that's all that fans and audiences want/need from a kids show.
4 Fairly OddParents: The show had an actual plot
The Fairly OddParents had a story to it; the show wasn't just a series of random one-off shorts. The stories did tie together in some respect. Things changed and characters were added to supplement these plot changes.
The show introduced a variety of new characters, especially in the later seasons, that progressed the story forward like Poof, Cosmo and Wanda's son introduced in a TV special, Sparky, a talking fairy dog, and Chloe Carmichael, Timmy's neighbor. Having an actual plot was nice since it made the watch a bit more engaging.
3 SpongeBob: The series had some great & memorable episodes
SpongeBob had some amazing episodes in its lifetime. Each episode introduced a new and exciting element or gag to the franchise, while still being short, concise, and memorable. Fans didn't have to watch anything before or after so it was easy to jump on and watch the show.
Some of the more iconic episodes like "Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy IV," which introduced the word wumbo, had a nostalgic factor to it. Many episodes had this effect on fans. Most people can't even name an episode from The Fairly OddParents. The writers of SpongeBob knew how to tell engaging and fun stories in the short time slot like no one else on Nickelodeon.
2 Fairly OddParents: Less Controversial than SpongeBob
SpongeBob has gained a bit of controversy over the recent years. Looking back, some of the episodes, gags, and characters weren't as innocent as initially believed. Some elements of the show have now come across as offensive to some fans. A notable example was the "Mid-Life Crustacean" episode which shows Mr. Krabs hunting for a pair of women's underwear.
As successful as SpongeBob is, it's getting a lot of heat. For whatever controversy the show is getting, it's not good promotion, especially with the show's recent dip in views. In comparison, The Fairly OddParents is much less controversial. It's a kid's show with no ulterior motives, simple as that.
1 SpongeBob: Better characters
The characters in the SpongeBob universe are just more intriguing, fun, and memorable than almost any other character on Nickelodeon. Timmy Turner, Cosmo, and Wanda simply don't compare.
SpongeBob and Patrick are quirky, silly, and perfect for the younger audience. Everything from their personalities to their character designs is unique and fun. But besides them, all of the residents of Bikini Bottom are diverse and interesting including Old Man Jenkins, Mermaid Man, and The Flying Dutchman, to name a few. The characters are by far the strongest element of the show and are possibly one of the few things to have kept the series so successful for so long.