• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, January 3, 2011

The phenomenal "SpongeBob SquarePants" isn't going under; in fact, the wonderfully wacky show promises to be around for years to come. Nickelodeon, which launched the animated smash in 1999, said the series will be back for a ninth season in 2012.

The continued top-rated cartoon in the 2-to-11 demo will have 26 new episodes, bringing it to 200 next year. The series, as most parents know, features a sponge living under the sea with a parade of friends in an area known as "Bikini Bottom."

Former marine biologist turned animator Stephen Hillenburg is the creator and executive producer. And Nick executive Brown Johnson stated the show's success is a testament to his "comedic sensibility and his dynamic, lovable characters." Hillenburg had been behind Nick show "Rocko's Modern Life."

"SpongeBob" has served as a licensing machine for Nick and is viewed in 171 countries in 26 languages.

A Nov. 11 special "Mystery with a Twistery" drew 6.6 million total viewers, 2010's most-watched animated broadcast on cable.