As many of us have noticed, the show has taken a different turn in terms of style after the movie. For those of you who haven't really noticed anything, here's a breakdown:

Seasons 2-3: These seasons seemed to have a more sophisticated format in terms of animation, but still kept up with the goofiness of the show's theme. The animation was very sharp, but at times seemed to be too serious. Most of the dialogue and jokes were rather adult-themed and caught on very well as classic moments for the show. SpongeBob's character was naive and immature, but in a clevor way that did not match up to his "idiot friend" Patrick. It also had the smart gross-out humor that seasons 5-7 sometimes try to copy. These seasons also did not exaggerate on different characters' personality traits, but it did put them up to the test in different-themed episodes that would please the show's fans.

Seasons 5-7: The episodes in this season seem to have a more childish theme to them. The animation looks good and is not as serious-looking as it was in seasons 2-3. The plots still have some clevorness to them while some still appear to have been put together at the last minute. SpongeBob's character, however, seems to be severly changed. There are a lot of times when he is too naive and immature for his own good. There are also many instances when he is even dumber than Patrick. He's even drawn in a more gawky-looking way (a few users here have pointed out the dimple-face he sometimes gets when he's at his most annoying). Also, his voice is more higher-pitched and even Mr. Lawrence (the voice of Plankton) has noticed that.

Note that I did not include season 1 or season 4 since they're both rather newbie seasons in terms of animation and style.

So, anyway, do you feel that the show was, in a way, butchered or do you think the new format is actually better than the old format? I mean, change can sometimes be good, especially considering the positive praise that some of the most recent episodes are getting.

No contest,old one!!!!

I think they both have a good style, I like every episode's format.

I like every one of them, spite Spongebob's inflating cheeks which I give no offense to...

I like both of them.

The older episodes were good, where there was barely any bad episodes in a season.

Now, with season 5, episodes start to have too random of plots and start to rely on shock humor.

And season 6 takes this to the extreme, which is why it is my least fave. season

Oh, let's not do this again, we ALL know that everybody prefers the older seasons, therefore they're going to chose the older format. I'm in between because as for plots and dialogue goes, season 2-3 hands down. As for animation definitely season 5-7. But, what we pay more attention to at the end of an episode is if the plot was good or not, not if the image was more neat or what. so I gotta go with season 2-3.

SpongeSebastian, seriously, I thought if anyway knew not to make threads like this I'd be you. We already have enough noobs and trolls always complaining about the new seasons, why must our oldest member make one? The old format was better, everyone knows that, there's no contest. So why must we have a new thread about it? I don't want to sound to harsh, you're pretty much my favorite user here besides JFJ, but this thread was not necessary.

Man, can't believe I'm like the only person who really likes the new format.
The old format was really great, but I don't see why the new one isn't.

season 2-3 had a more sophisticated kind of animation while still being funny. the newer version his childlike, which makes the goofiness of the show even more childlike!!!