{{Other uses}} {{Use American English|date=January 2025}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox television episode | series = SpongeBob SquarePants | image = SpongeBob Best Day Ever title card.jpg | image_size = 200 | caption = Title card | episode = 20a | season = 4 | production = 151-507<ref>[https://www.bcdb.com/cartoons/Other_Studios/N/Nickelodeon/Nicktoons_Productions/SpongeBob_SquarePants/ SpongeBob SquarePants Episode Guide -Nicktoons Prods]{{dead link|date=January 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | airdate = {{start date|2006|11|10}}<ref name=Marathon1/> | music = "The Best Day Ever" | director = * Larry Leichliter (animation) * Nate Cash (storyboard) * Tuck Tucker (storyboard) * Alan Smart (supervising) | writer = * Nate Cash * Tuck Tucker * Steven Banks | prev = Squid Wood | next = The Gift of Gum | season_article = SpongeBob SquarePants (season 4) | episode_list = List of SpongeBob SquarePants episodes }} "'''Best Day Ever'''" is the first segment of the 20th episode of the fourth season of the American animated television series ''SpongeBob SquarePants'', and the 80th episode overall. The episode was written by Nate Cash, Tuck Tucker, and Steven Banks, and the animation was directed by Larry Leichliter; Cash and Tucker also functioned as storyboard directors. It originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on November 10, 2006.
In the episode, SpongeBob is determined to have a perfect day, which, to his disappointment, does not go as he planned. Each of his friends has a different problem of their own, so he sets out to help them while spoiling his own agendas.
The episode features a song titled "The Best Day Ever" written by Tom Kenny and Andy Paley. A soundtrack album, ''SpongeBob SquarePants: The Best Day Ever'', was released on September 12, 2006. "Best Day Ever" pulled an average of 6.7 million viewers upon release. The song was actually used two years earlier in the credits of ''The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie''.
==Plot== frame|left|At the end of the episode, SpongeBob performs a musical about his "best day ever" SpongeBob's "Best Day Ever" fails to turn out as he planned when he is forced to postpone his activities to help his friends with various problems. He wanted to work at the Krusty Krab, but it is condemned because of a nematode infestation. SpongeBob tries to get the nematodes to leave but they eat his pants instead. So SpongeBob inadvertently lures the nematodes away using his nose as a flute. Then, he planned to practice some karate with Sandy, but she is unable to because there is a leak in her treedome. SpongeBob thinks it's a trap and attacks her anyway. Sandy hits him and sends him flying up high toward the ceiling, stopping the leak. The scene cuts to SpongeBob walking to Jellyfish Fields. He sees Patrick frolicking but he ends up breaking his net, so SpongeBob gives him his old net, which quickly breaks as well. When Patrick wanted his new high-tech net, SpongeBob tries to tell him that it belongs to him but ends up giving to him. SpongeBob waits impatiently to use the net and tries to tell Patrick that it is his turn now, but Patrick doesn't hear him and keeps on playing with the jellyfish net, so he decides to leave for his last planned activity.
Then the scene cuts to SpongeBob walking at night to Squidward's clarinet recital. However, once he meets up with Squidward, he says that he cannot play in the concert because the reed of his clarinet is shot. Determined not to miss out on this activity as he had done with the other ones, SpongeBob pulls out one of his teeth to replace the reed. SpongeBob attempts to enter the building, but the usher refuses to let him in unless he has a ticket. He tries various methods of sneaking in, but at last he is let in because he is on the VIP list (Mrs. Puff said his name when she found him hiding in her purse in one attempt).
SpongeBob gets in right as the concert ends until he finally snaps and has a freak-out. He runs up to the stage and rips open the curtain, yelling, "NO! It is NOT over!" He grabs the microphone to give an elaborate speech about how his "Best Day Ever" is a disaster. However, Mr. Krabs, Patrick, Sandy and Squidward tell him about how he helped them with their problems and that they themselves were what his "Best Day Ever" was actually about. To make it up to him, they hold a production in which SpongeBob performs his song, "Best Day Ever", to complete his day with Patrick, Sandy, Squidward, and Mr. Krabs co-starring along in it. A few hours later, SpongeBob is still singing, but his friends are tired and sleepy, and the audience has all disappeared. When Squidward asks Mr. Krabs how long they have to keep up the performance, Mr. Krabs replies, "Just 'til his little heart gives out, Squidward. Just 'til his little heart gives out."
==Production== [[File:Tom Kenny (2008).jpg|thumb|200px|Tom Kenny co-wrote the song "The Best Day Ever"]] "Best Day Ever" was written by Nate Cash, Tuck Tucker and Steven Banks, with Larry Leichliter serving as animation director. Cash and Tucker also functioned as storyboard directors.<ref>{{cite AV media| date=January 9, 2007 | title=SpongeBob SquarePants: Season 4, Vol. 2 ("Best Day Ever" credits) | medium=DVD |location=United States |publisher=Paramount Home Entertainment/Nickelodeon}}</ref> The episode originally aired on Nickelodeon in the United States on November 10, 2006.<ref name=Marathon1/>
The featured song "The Best Day Ever" was composed by Tom Kenny, SpongeBob's voice actor, and Andy Paley.<ref name=Newsday>{{cite web|last=Bubbeo |first=Daniel |title=FAST CHAT TOM KENNY |url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny-fffast4956134nov05,0,4012699.story?coll=ny-entertainment-promo |work=Newsday |access-date=August 2, 2013 |date=November 5, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217024149/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/ny-fffast4956134nov05%2C0%2C4012699.story?coll=ny-entertainment-promo |archive-date=February 17, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The song was originally a part of ''The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie'' soundtrack that was released on November 9, 2004.<ref>{{cite web|last=D'Angelo|first=Joe|title=Flaming Lips, Wilco, 'Commercial Weirdo' Avril Lavigne Head Up 'SpongeBob' LP|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1491510/avril-lavigne-flaming-lips-on-spongebob-lp.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025195508/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1491510/avril-lavigne-flaming-lips-on-spongebob-lp.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 25, 2011|publisher=MTV|access-date=August 2, 2013|date=September 30, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=D.|first=Spence|title=The Spongebob Squarepants Movie: Music From The Movie And More|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/11/19/the-spongebob-squarepants-movie-music-from-the-movie-and-more?page=2|publisher=IGN|access-date=August 2, 2013|date=November 18, 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last=Burr|first=Ty|title=The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie – Music From the Movie and More (2004)|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1008439,00.html|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=August 16, 2013|date=December 20, 2004|archive-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928141142/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1008439,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Originally, Kenny and Paley were writing the songs "The Best Day Ever" and "Under My Rock" on what would become ''The Best Day Ever'' album.<ref name=Kenny>{{cite web|author=Plume, Ken|title=Interview: Tom Kenny|url=http://asitecalledfred.com/2006/11/06/interview-tom-kenny/4/|publisher=Fred Entertainment|access-date=August 2, 2013|author-link=Kenneth Plume}}</ref> However, at the same time, the team of the 2004 feature film needed two extra filler tracks for the film soundtrack.<ref name=Kenny/> Eventually, Stephen Hillenburg, the series creator and director of the film, heard the songs and decided to put it on the film's soundtrack.<ref name=Kenny/> Although not originally intended for the film, "The Best Day Ever" was played during the closing credits.<ref name=Kenny/>
The episode was part of the 24-hour ''SpongeBob'' marathon, "The Best Day Ever Marathon".<ref name=Marathon1>{{cite web|last=Ball|first=Ryan|title=SpongeBob Has "Best Day Ever"|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/spongebob-has-best-day-ever/|work=Animation|access-date=August 2, 2013|date=October 25, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nickelodeon To Air 'SpongeBob SquarePants' Marathon Next Week|url=http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/10/31/nickelodeon_to_air_spongebob_squarepants|work=Starpulse|access-date=August 2, 2013|date=October 31, 2006|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004436/http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2006/10/31/nickelodeon_to_air_spongebob_squarepants|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=Press1>{{cite web|title=Nickelodeon Gives Kids Their Best SpongeBob Day Ever With a 24-Hour Marathon Counting Down Viewer Favorites, Followed by the 'Best Day Ever' Special and the Network Premiere of The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nickelodeon-gives-kids-their-best-spongebob-day-ever-with-a-24-hour-marathon-counting-down-viewer-favorites-followed-by-the-best-day-ever-special-and-the-network-premiere-of-the-spongebob-squarepants-movie-56640382.html|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=August 2, 2013|date=October 31, 2006}}</ref> Starting at 8 pm EDT, the event counted down the best 100 episodes of the series as chosen by viewers on Nick.com and TurboNick.<ref name=Marathon1/> Tom Ascheim, the executive vice president and general manager for Nickelodeon Television, said "We've received a tremendous response from almost 4 million fans who have voted online for their favorite SpongeBob episodes and we'll reward them with our biggest SpongeBob event ever."<ref name=Press1/> The marathon led up to the premiere of this episode.<ref name=Marathon1/> The marketing method was primarily organised by Frank Tanki.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nickelodeon Marketing Ups Tanki and Tracy|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nickelodeon-marketing-ups-tanki-and-tracy-54467807.html|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=August 2, 2013}}</ref> Ascheim explained that Nickelodeon uses modern technology to generate interest in television shows. He believes that allowing viewers to choose the episodes shown contributes to the show's high ratings.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kridel |first=Tim |title=Nick's Ascheim: Viewers Love to Be Programmers |url=http://www.multichannel.com/content/nick%E2%80%99s-ascheim-viewers-love-be-programmers/114476 |publisher=Multichannel News |access-date=August 2, 2013 |date=January 27, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203060155/http://www.multichannel.com/content/nick%E2%80%99s-ascheim-viewers-love-be-programmers/114476 |archive-date=December 3, 2013}}</ref>
Best Buy stores across the United States introduced a "Best Day Ever"-themed Best Buy gift card that doubles as a DVD-ROM packed with music videos, video game previews and more.<ref name=Press1/> In addition, "Best Day Ever"-themed activities were held at the Nickelodeon Family Suites Hotel by Holiday Inn including a themed party called the Bikini Bottom Bash.<ref name=Press1/> Throughout the month of November, the hotel released a "Best Day Ever" package to its guests starting at $369. TY released a Beanie Baby based on the album exclusively at Best Buy stores across the United States.<ref name=Press1/>
"Best Day Ever" was included in the ''SpongeBob SquarePants: Season 4, Vol. 2'' DVD on January 9, 2007.<ref name=Plot>''SpongeBob SquarePants: Season Four, Volume 2''. DVD. Paramount Home Entertainment, 2007.</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lacey|first=Gord|title=SpongeBob SquarePants – Season 4, Volume 2 news|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/SpongeBob-SquarePants/6463|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|access-date=August 2, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004912/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/SpongeBob-SquarePants/6463|archive-date=December 3, 2013}}</ref> The "Best Day Ever" shorts called "A Random Act of SpongeBob" were released as a bonus feature on the DVD.<ref name=Mavis>{{cite web|last=Mavis|first=Paul|title=SpongeBob SquarePants – Season 4, Vol. 2|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/25858/spongebob-squarepants-season-4-vol-2/|publisher=DVD Talk|access-date=August 2, 2013|date=December 26, 2006}}</ref> The shorts are "Crossing the Street", "Anything for Baby", "Flowers for Sandy", "Me Money", and "Pie".<ref name=Mavis/> On September 22, 2009, "Best Day Ever" was released in the ''SpongeBob SquarePants: The First 100 Episodes'' DVD, alongside all the episodes of seasons one through five.<ref>''SpongeBob SquarePants: The First 100 Episodes''. DVD. Paramount Home Entertainment, 2009.</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lacey|first=Gord|title=SpongeBob SquarePants - The First 100 Episodes (Seasons 1-5) Review|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/reviews/SpongeBob-SquarePants-100-Episodes-Seasons-1-5/9154|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|access-date=August 31, 2013|date=September 29, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055257/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/reviews/SpongeBob-SquarePants-100-Episodes-Seasons-1-5/9154|archive-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref>
==Ratings== On Friday, November 10, 2006, an average of 4.4 million viewers tuned in between 6:30 AM and 10PM EDT to watch "The Best Day Ever Marathon".<ref name=Ratings1>{{cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/6147|title=SpongeBob Ratings Give Nick "Best Day Ever"|last=Ball|first=Ryan|date=November 15, 2006|work=Animation|access-date=November 13, 2008}}</ref><ref name=Ratings2>{{cite web|title=Nickelodeon US hits record with SpongeBob 'Best Day Ever' marathon|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k6/nov/nov171.htm|work=Indian Television|access-date=August 2, 2013|date=November 14, 2006}}</ref><ref name=Ratings3>{{cite web|title='SpongeBob' Gives Nick Best Ratings Day Ever |url=http://www.zap2it.com/tv/zap-spongebobsquarepantsnickratingsbestever,0,7562637.story |publisher=Zap2it |access-date=August 2, 2013 |date=November 14, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004146/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/zap-spongebobsquarepantsnickratingsbestever%2C0%2C7562637.story |archive-date=December 3, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SpongeBob 'Best Day Ever' Gives Nickelodeon Its Most Watched, Highest Rated Day Ever in Network History|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spongebob-best-day-ever-gives-nickelodeon-its-most-watched-highest-rated-day-ever-in-network-history-56326767.html|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=August 3, 2013|date=November 13, 2006}}</ref> The marathon earned the network its most-watched and highest-rated total programming day in its history, averaging 1.9/4.4 million total viewers.<ref name=Ratings1/><ref name=Ratings2/><ref name=Ratings3/> The premiere of the "Best Day Ever" special attracted 6.7 million total viewers, with an average of 12.0/4.0 million kids 2–11, 12.8/2.6 million kids 6–11, according to Nielsen data.<ref name=Ratings1/><ref name=Ratings2/><ref name=Ratings3/>
The "SpongeBob Best Day Ever" online game, went live on November 9. It generated 1.3 million gameplay sessions and more than 867,000 unique visitors in three days.<ref name=Ratings2/> The full-length music video for "Best Day Ever" generated more than 1.4 million streams, with 471,000 unique visitors, making it the {{Abbr|No.|Number}} 2 video on TurboNick from November 6 to 12.<ref name=Ratings2/> During the same time period, "Best Day Ever"'s promotion video on TurboNick had 370,000 streams and was ranked within the top 10 videos of the broadband channel.<ref name=Ratings2/>
==Album== {{main|The Best Day Ever}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{wikiquote|SpongeBob_SquarePants/Season 4#Best Day Ever (20.1)|"Best Day Ever"}} * {{IMDb episode|0893234}}
{{SpongeBob SquarePants episodes}}
Category:2006 American television episodes Category:SpongeBob SquarePants episodes