Spongebob Squarepants

Ariana Grande's marriage to Dalton Gomez is over and done with -- and now, she seems a bit more willing to step out with her Broadway boyfriend ... including a date night in NYC!

The singer hit the town Saturday night with Ethan Slater -- who stars opposite her in the upcoming 'Wicked' movie ... and whose big claim to fame thus far is playing the famed SpongeBob SquarePants live on stage (the theatre version, not from the TV show).

Eyewitnesses tell TMZ the two love birds appeared to be having a bite -- or drinks, more like -- at the MO Lounge within the luxurious Mandarin Oriental hotel in the heart of Manhattan.

As you can see in these photos we obtained ... they were off in the corner with their own private table, with their backs turned to just about everybody else ... and enjoying each other's company. And yes, we're told they were super flirty and touchy-feely.

Our sources tell us Ariana was actually the one who showed more affection here. Apparently, she kept getting up from where she was first sitting (across from ES) to come be directly by his side -- where she whispered sweet-nothings into his ear, and planted some smooches.

We're told they certainly seemed to be having a good old boozy time ... and sure, you can see they had at least a glass of wine each. In any case, our sources tell us they were there for a while ... for almost upwards of 2 hours, they were just perched there chatting.

It's interesting we're seeing them not trying to hide as much as they were the last time they were hanging out in public -- remember, they did a Disneyworld trip out in FL last month.

That was before she and Dalton were officially single in the eyes of the law -- something that wrapped up a few weeks ago ... when she and her ex settled their divorce, without much drama. In the wake of them closing that book ... DG himself seems to have moved on.

Here it is -- the first audio snippet of Joey Votto's performance in a local production of "The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition" ... and the MLB star is really good!!

As we previously reported, the Reds great recently partnered with The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati for its upcoming iteration of the musical based on the classic animated show ... taking on the role of the iconic "French Narrator."

TMZ Sports has obtained a short clip of one of Votto's voiceovers ... and the guy sounds pretty close to the original!!

Votto is comfortable with his French accent -- after all, he was raised in Toronto, so he has plenty of experience speaking the language.

The 2010 MVP spent a solid amount of time in the booth as he recited his lines ... and while he won't be present on stage October 14-23, the attendees will certainly appreciate his involvement in the production.

In fact, a ton of fans are praising Votto for offering his time to participate in the show ... but it shouldn't come as a surprise, as he's been heavily involved in the community throughout his career.

Joey Votto is taking his talents to Bikini Bottom -- the Cincinnati Reds star is lending his voice for a local kids' production of "The Spongebob Musical!!"

TMZ Sports has learned ... the 2010 MVP has teamed up with The Children's Theatre of Cincinnati for its rendition of the show based on the hit Nickelodeon series -- officially joining the cast as the iconic "French Narrator."

Of course, Votto is fluent in French after growing up in Toronto ... so the guy won't have to work too hard on nailing the accent.

The first baseman won't be present when the kiddos take the stage October 14-23, but the production company says the work he put into his role will be a treat for everyone involved ... including the folks in the seats.

"We are so thankful to Joey Votto and his team for being a part of the 23-24 TCT Season," TCT CEO Kim Kern said. "Our audiences will enjoy hearing a Cincinnati icon bring this character to life."

Ariana Grande is dating a guy who plays SpongeBob SquarePants -- but it ain't the main one you're thinking of ... which is why the wife of the real SB is chirping up.

Fellow voice actor Jill Talley -- who's married to the man who's been voicing SpongeBob on TV for years now -- posted a clarification in response to an IG post from The Cut ... which ran with a confusing headline about AG's new boo, Ethan Slater.

It reads, "Is Ariana Grande Dating Spongebob Now?" and it also features a shot of Ariana and Ethan -- this of course after we broke the news that the 'Wicked' costars are together.

Naturally, The Cut's implication here is technically accurate ... but not totally clear in and of itself. Yes, Slater portrays a live-action version of SpongeBob on Broadway -- a role for which he's earned Tony noms. But he's NOT the voice actor who's been playing him forever now.

That's something JT wanted to set the record straight on, commenting on The Cut's post ... "Hi everyone, I’m married to Tom Kenny (who voices SpongeBob on the TV show). He is not dating Ariana Grande. I don’t know if Ethan Slater (who played SpongeBob in the musical) is or isn’t dating Ariana Grande. However, they’re both adorable and I totally ship it."

She added this on her own relationship ... "Just wanted to set the record straight. P.S. as for me and Tom Kenny -- we are celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary today."

In other words ... one dude shouldn't be mistaken for the other -- and for a minute, it sounds like they were. Good to know the OG SpongeBoy is faithful through and through.

Like we first told you ... Ethan and Ariana have been dating each other for a few months now -- making the timeline of things a little murky. We know she and Dalton Gomez had ended their relationship in January, but that they also gave it one last go in May during their 2-year anniversary. On the face of it, it seems like there might've been some overlap.

"SpongeBob SquarePants" honchos have a major problemo with a restaurant that sounds a lot like the spot where SpongeBob works ... and they're ready to fight in court about it.

Viacom's suing the company that recently opened The Rusty Krab restaurant in downtown Houston, claiming it's a blatant rip-off of the The Krusty Krab featured in the cartoon ... according to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ.

Rusty Krab's accused of infringing on Viacom's 'SpongeBob' trademarks by using names, images, characters and re-creations from the show throughout its restaurant and on its menu, and according to the suit ... even advertises the place as "Houston’s VERY FIRST Spongebob Squarepants Inspired Pop Up Restaurant and Bar!"

Viacom claims all of Rusty Krab's marketing is geared toward kids and SpongeBob fans to deceive the public into thinking it's officially affiliated with the show ... only to leave parents who paid high ticket prices disappointed with the inauthentic experience and "purportedly unsanitary conditions and unsafe food."

Among the many alleged infringements, Viacom says Rusty Krab's drink menu uses numerous well-known hallmarks of 'SBSP' -- like "Pineapple Under the Sea," "Bikini Bottom," "Secret Formula" and "I’m Ready" -- to sell alcohol, which Viacom claims would violate its licensing policy for the trademarks on its kid’s show.

Viacom's wants the restaurant to hand over any profits it’s made, so far, and is also suing to block it from doing further business.

SpongeBob SquarePants' sexuality has entered the chat -- and lo and behold, the Bikini Bottom dweller might be, as many suspected for years, gay.

Nickelodeon tweeted Saturday in support of Pride month, and attached photos of three of their canon characters as a clear indicator that they're all part of the LGBTQ+ community ... but without actually saying it outright.

The tweet heard round the Krusty Krab said, "Celebrating #Pride with the LGBTQ+ community and their allies this month and every month 🌈.⁣"

All of the characters -- Sponge, Schwoz Schwartz from 'Henry Danger,' and Korra from the 'Avatar' spin-off show 'Legend of Korra' -- are featured in a rainbow color background.

What's interesting is ... fans have known for a while Korra was gay/bisexual -- as it was revealed in the show itself. As for Schwoz, the actor who plays him -- Michael D. Cohen -- is a transgender man in real life.

So, that leaves the Krusty Krab's fry cook. If the other 2 are clearly members of the community, it makes some people think the tweet is about more than declaring SpongeBob an ally ... instead, they think it's his coming out.

Of course, we gotta say folks had their suspicions for a long time. If you know, you know ... we won't break it down for boomers.

Krakatoa is at it again, a massive overnight eruption -- the largest since 2018's deadly blast -- threw ash miles into the air, and put on a wicked light show.

The famed and feared volcano blew its top Friday night, and it was loud enough that people 100 miles away in Jakarta, Indonesia reported hearing it. A webcam planted on the slope of the volcano captured images of the lava and ash shooting into the sky.

Researchers say the eruption sent ash 9 miles up, and while the video looks pretty cool ... locals had to be pretty terrified.

Krakatoa -- it's actually Little Krakatao, but we don't wanna give it a complex -- last erupted this powerfully in December 2018.

That event triggered a tsunami that killed more than 400 people on a neighboring island. Friday night's eruption was much less powerful, and there are no casualties reported.

Plain old history buffs know the OG Krakatoa erupted in 1883, killing more than 36,000 people ... perhaps the most deadly ever.

While 'SpongeBob' history buffs know it from a 2002 episode.

Stephen Hillenburg -- the creator of the hit Nickelodeon show "SpongeBob SquarePants" -- officially died of heart failure as a result of his ALS, but the more interesting tidbit ... his remains were scattered at sea -- and you gotta hope he'll rest in Bikini Bottom.

According to Hillenburg's death certificate -- obtained by TMZ -- the animator's immediate cause of death was cardiopulmonary failure due to ALS -- the diagnosis which he publicly revealed in 2017. The document also reveals that Hillenburg was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea -- at least 500 yards off the coast of California, to be more specific.

As we reported ... Hillenburg died late last month after battling the fatal disease for more than a year. Nickelodeon called him "a beloved friend and long-time creative partner" and praised his seminal work on 'SBSP' as "a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the limitless power of imagination."

There's no joy at the Krusty Krab -- Stephen Hillenburg, the creator of "SpongeBob SquarePants," died Monday after battling ALS.

Stephen first revealed his ALS diagnosis in 2017. He's survived by his wife, Karen, and his son, Clay.

Nickelodeon called him "a beloved friend and long-time creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family."

Steve created 'SpongeBob' in the late '90s, but he took a circuitous route to his TV and movie success. Hillenburg started out teaching marine biology in Orange County ... but eventually combined that knowledge of ocean creatures with his artistic talent.

He broke into TV as a director and writer on the Nickelodeon show, "Rocko's Modern Life" -- and then eventually started creating his 'SpongeBob' ... which debuted in 1999.

In addition to the TV series, Steve wrote both hit 'SpongeBob' feature films. The first one grossed more than $140 million.

Variety first reported Hillenburg's death. He was 57.

Enjoy a Krabby Patty today in his name.

Rodger Bumpass -- aka Squidward Tentacles on "SpongeBob SquarePants" -- says cops lied about his DUI arrest ... but Bumpass' accusation could actually hurt him legally.

TMZ broke the story ... cops claimed they saw him leaning against his PT Cruiser on a Burbank street when they approached him. Police say he tried to walk away and stumbled as if he were impaired. He then flunked a field sobriety test and blew more than twice the legal limit.

Bumpass tells us he was NOT leaning against his car. Here's the way he says it went down. Bumpass admits he had been drinking at a Burbank bar, got in his car and began driving home. At some point he says cops began tailing him, pulled him over and asked if he had been drinking. He confessed he had, and then failed the field sobriety test.

Here's the problem ... cops say they never saw him behind the wheel, and even if he confessed he was so out of it the confession could be challenged. By claiming cops first spotted him while he was driving blows that defense out of the water.

Bumpass says he's spoken with several people over at Nickelodeon and his fate there is uncertain.