What do you mean before it jumped the shark?
Jump the shark = when the series goes desperately downhill after some ridiculous story arc or something.
Yes; Spongebob was incredibly humorous back then. I especially enjoyed “Bubble Stand”; I cracked non-stop at Squidward’s antics when he was fed up with Sponge’s… somewhat unexplainable bubble blowing techniques. 
[i]"Technique! Technique! Technique!"[/i]1.Spongebob Squarepants
2.Hey Arnold
3.Rugrats
4.Fairly odd parents
5.Jimmy Neutron
1 ) Fairly Odd Parents (duh)
2 ) Wild Thornberrys
3 ) Hey Arnold
4 ) CatDog
5 ) As Told By Ginger
Ah, yes, As Told By Ginger. Quite a remarkable show, actually, compared to the silly comics of the others. Like Disney Channel’s Kim Possible, it is a rare gem in the an exhausted mine, filled with compelling drama while keeping that touch of light comedy to ease the grim atmosphere.
One of my favorite Nick Toons as well. 
I’ve always seen it as a parody of all those tween drama shows. That’s why I love it! Oh, and Hoodsey! He’s hilarious!!!
Carl: “Hoodsey!”
I prefer the newer episodes to the older ones.