Pointing to a chunky SpongeBob toy that says 'Go SpongeBob, go SpongeBob, go self!' when you squeeze its hand, Mr. Co-owner Roger Roth says SpongeBob is the single most popular property he carries. SpongeBob, which first appeared in July 1999 and currently runs several times daily on Viacom Inc.'s Nickelodeon cable TV channel, is also the biggest childrens' phenomenon to capture the imagination of gay men since the purple Teletubby named Tinky Winky started carrying a purse.Īt Roger & Dave, a novelty shop frequented by gay customers in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood, SpongeBob plush toys, lunch boxes and key chains are stacked next to X-rated dolls, vintage Wonder Woman figures and Wizard of Oz coffee mugs. His name is SpongeBob SquarePants, the absorbent yellow star of the most highly rated kids show on TV. His best friend is an exuberant pink starfish named Patrick. He lives in a pineapple under the sea, in a town called Bikini Bottom. >SpongeBob SquarePants is the biggest childrens' phenomenon to capture the imagination of gay men since the purple Teletubby named Tinky Winky started carrying a purse.<
