The unstoppable spongebob revolution.

• Position: What's New? Holiday Gift Guide

It's an obvious understatement to say that cartoons have changed dramatically since we were kids. Far be it from us to take sides and claim that one generation's animation holds sway over another's. However, we will go on record as stating that there never has been anything that can compare to Nickelodeon's current hit series, "SpongeBob SquarePants" (Fans of the 1980s' "Ren & Stimpy Show" will have to make their case some other time.)

As such, Nickelodeon's excellent lineup of holiday gifts offers consumers a number of SpongeBob selections, not the least of which is "The Complete 2nd Season" DVD ($40) from Paramount Home Video. The three-disc box set includes 39 episodes and special features such as audio commentaries, story-boards, etc. So join Squidward, Mr. Krabs, Patrick, Sandy, and the rest of the crazies from Bikini Bottom--you'll never look at TV the same again. (FYI, Nickelodeon and Paramount also are offering a collector's edition box set DVD of the first and second season of "The Ren & Stimpy Show"--unaltered, uncut, uncensored, and untamed! It features the banned episode, "Man's Best Friend," the once-censored Son of Stimpy, and the never-been-aired special feature, "Naked Beach Frenzy!")

To watch all these great episodes, just pull out Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants DVD player ($79) from Emerson Radio Corp. It's a compact, easy-to-use, top-loading unit that looks just like SpongeBob himself. The device features a remote control; 10-bit digital to analog video converter (DAC) for superior picture quality; on-screen menu icons for easy set-up; closed caption support; multi-language audio and subtitle capability; dual aspect ratio (normal/wide screen); and multi-language audio and subtitle capability (English, German, Spanish, and French). Moreover, this unit also plays audio CDs (including MP3 discs) and features a parental control function with user-selectable password.

Nickelodeon and Emerson also have teamed...