Patchy the Pirate, played by Tom Kenny who also voices SpongeBob, has hosted the show's live-action segments since his first appearance in the 2000 Christmas special. His segments frame episodes with low-budget, childlike enthusiasm that often collapses into crying or tantrums. Fans clip those meltdowns the same way they reuse the "My leg!" running gag, turning a throwaway line into a reaction for quitting, sulking and fake-dramatic goodbyes. The run away line survives because Patchy's overblown sadness fits almost any minor online disappointment.