A Gay Old Time: Spongebob No. 1 cartoon in China

After just one month on Chinese television, Spongebob Squarepants is already the No. 1 cartoon in the country. (The news comes from a Nickelodeon press release, so take it for what it's worth.) It does seem that, for whatever reason, Spongebob is less popular in Shanghai than it is elsewhere in China:

35% of SpongeBob's audience ranges from ages 4-9 years old, with 24-34 year old viewers following not far behind at 25%. Measuring 11 cities across the country, the top cities tuning into the porous one are Chongqing with an average 11.4 rating, Tianjin with an average rating of 11.4, Chengdu with an average rating of 4.3, Hangzhou with an average rating of 4.7 and Beijing with an average rating of 4.4. (Data source: AGB Nielsen Media Research - Jan 29- Mar 3, 2006)

Hmmmm. Aren't Chinese parents worried that Spongebob will turn their kids gay?

Doubtful. But if so, noted Chinese sociologist Li Yinhe will fight for their right to get married in China. For the third time, Li plans to "submit a proposal on same-sex marriage to the annual session of the country's top political advisory body, the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)." Although it will most certainly fail, Li's proposal has Shanghaiist's support ... and apparently the support of many Chinese, as well. The draft has received an overwhelming showing of approval over at the Tianya online community (in Chinese). Meanwhile, homosexual Brits still can't get married in China.

And you thought this post was just going to be about cartoons ...

Cartoon by Brian Farrington from Daryl Cagle's Professional Cartoonists Index.