Conor Brophy: The news that SpongeBob Squarepants creator Stephen Hillenburg has MND has been met with sympathy

There has also been recognition of his contribution to modern TV

‘Absorbent and yellow and porous is he,” according to his theme tune, but SpongeBob Squarepants packs a punch.

The sad news that the cartoon’s creator, Stephen Hillenburg, has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease has, rightly, elicited widespread sympathy. That’s mixed with admiration over his determination to continue working on the show for as long as he can. But it should also serve to highlight his significant contribution to modern television.

SpongeBob has ...