The series chronicles the exploits and adventures of the title character and his various friends in the fictional underwater city of Bikini Bottom.

The season was executive produced by series creator Hillenburg and writer Paul Tibbitt, who also acted as the showrunner.

Tom Kenny was nominated at the 35th Annie Awards for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production for his role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the episode "Spy Buddies".

"[5] The shift to Wacom Cintiqs let the designers and animators draw on computer screen and make immediate changes or undo mistakes.

"[5] Animation directors credited with episodes in the fifth season included Larry Leichliter, Andrew Overtoom, Alan Smart, and Tom Yasumi.

Episodes were written by a team of writers, which consisted of Casey Alexander, Steven Banks, Charlie Bean, Luke Brookshier, Nate Cash, Zeus Cervas, Tim Hill, Tom King, Dani Michaeli, Greg Miller, Chris Mitchell, Mike Mitchell, Richard Pursel, Chris Reccardi, Eric Shaw, Aaron Springer, and Tuck Tucker.

[a] The fifth season featured Tom Kenny as the voice of the title character SpongeBob SquarePants and his pet snail Gary.

Puff, SpongeBob's boating school teacher;[12] and Lori Alan as Pearl, a teenage whale who is Mr. Krabs' daughter.

[13][14] In addition to the regular cast members, episodes feature guest voices from many ranges of professions, including actors, musicians, and artists.

[15] Oswalt reflected on his voice-over work for the episode, saying "The best part was that I sat next to Clancy Brown in the studio.

"[15] In the episode "Night Light", Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway returned to reprise their roles as Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy, respectively.

[19][20] In the special episode and television film SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis, English musician and actor David Bowie guest starred as Lord Royal Highness (LRH).

as Trevor, the leader of New Kelp City's Bubble Poppin Boys gang, and the main villain in the episode.

[29][30] English-American actor and director Christopher Guest voiced Stanley S. SquarePants, SpongeBob's cousin, in the episode of the same name.

[31] In 2008, Tom Kenny was nominated at the 35th Annie Awards for Best Voice Acting in an Animated Television Production for his role as SpongeBob SquarePants in the episode "Spy Buddies".

[34] At the 2008 Golden Reel Awards, the episode "SpongeHenge" won the Best Sound Editing in Television: Animated category.

"[43] Mavis also praised the voice actors who contributed on the show, and wrote "As funny as the stories are, and in this collection, there are some real gems, I can't stress enough the importance of those voice talents in conveying the unhinged, manic quality that is so integral to the success of SpongeBob SquarePants.

[43] In a separate review for the Volume 2 DVD, Mavis only "recommended" the set and wrote "SpongeBob may, and I repeat, 'may,' be starting to level off.

"[45] In conclusion, he said "there's nothing new here and adults will be disappointed, but the latest installment of SpongeBob SquarePants delivers a lot of silly and good-natured fun for the kids and there's nothing wrong with that.

"[45] In the Volume 2 review also for the DVD Verdict, Dennis Prince said "[The season] is not the series' best work but, nevertheless, is an improvement".

After learning that Glove World will close in five minutes, they decide to ride the roller coaster and become strong to face their fears.

When at the Krusty Krab, SpongeBob still thinks the sandwich is beautiful until he smells it, then sees the hideous appearance of the expired patty.

"A Flea in Her Dome": SpongeBob and Patrick organize a party in the treedome to welcome Sandy, who is returning from Texas.

Plankton then gets the secret formula, but SpongeBob accidentally overpowers the gas canister by bashing it, causing it to explode.

"Banned in Bikini Bottom": SpongeBob loves Krabby Patties so much, he cannot help singing and dancing when he is around the delicious sandwiches.

A community headed by Miss Gristlepuss, who is against all things fun and delicious, bans Krabby Patties.

Miss Gristlepuss arrives only to close the restaurant and arrest Mr. Krabs and SpongeBob, but she trips and a Krabby Patty is dropped into her mouth, which makes her sing and dance about it and love the sandwich.

The first 20 segment episodes of the fifth season were released on DVD by Paramount Home Entertainment in the United States and Canada on September 4, 2007.

[43][45] The "Volume 1" DVD release features bonus material including "Bubble Burst Trivia" for "Friend or Foe" and "The Krusty Sponge".

[43][45] The remaining 21 segment episodes of the season were also released under the title "Volume 2" in the United States and Canada on November 18, 2008.