The undersea community of Bikini Bottom on “SpongeBob SquarePants” is holding its first presidential election. And you’re invited to vote.

The race between SpongeBob’s best friend Patrick Starfish and Crustacean Party candidate Larry the Lobster will be decided on Monday — Presidents’ Day.

To mark the occasion, three brand-new “SpongeBob” cartoons will premiere, beginning 8 p.m.

Among the tales: SpongeBob fails his driving test (not for the first time), while the none-too-brainy Patrick manages to pass the test and get his licence; Patrick discovers a royal genealogy document declaring him next in line to receive a kingly title; and SpongeBob helps Patrick promote a song he wrote.

Then at 8:30 p.m., the winner of the election will be announced and the president-elect congratulated. Until then, you can cast your online ballot at www.nick.com.

From 5 to 7 p.m., an encore of past favorite “SpongeBob” cartoons will air while votes are tallied and early results disclosed.

Patrick (whose platform is, simply, “I Like Pie”) is the odds-on favourite. But however things go, don’t bet on a sea change. On the other hand (or fin) laughs are guaranteed.

Other shows this week to look out for:

[bul] Things are going great for the New Burbage Theater Festival, a formerly struggling Shakespearean theater company that lately has found critical acclaim and box-office success. But that doesn’t mean tensions aren’t running high behind the scenes. You can tell things are askew: The artistic director is afflicted with public crying jags. And that’s only part of the backstage “Slings and Arrows,” a charming comedy-drama returning for its third and final season of six hour-long episodes. Starring Paul Gross (“Due South”) and Mark McKinney (“Kids in the Hall”), it airs at 9 p.m. tomorrow on Sundance Channel.

[bul] “The Color Purple: The Color of Success” is a one-hour special that traces the triumphant journey of Alice Walker’s memorable tale during the past quarter-century. It begins with the 1982 publication of this epistolary novel, then follows its evolution from Pulitzer Prize-winning and best-selling novel to the celebrated 1985 film by Steven Spielberg.

Then, in 2005, it was staged on Broadway in an acclaimed musical version. The documentary includes footage of the show’s casting sessions and rehearsals, as well as recording sessions for the Grammy-nominated cast album. Walker, Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey (who co-starred in the film and is a producer of the Broadway show) are among those heard from in the film, which airs at 9 p.m. tomorrow on cable’s TV One network.

[bul] With “Star Trek” marking its 40th anniversary, the History Channel boldly takes a look back at this cultural phenomenon. “Star Trek: Beyond the Final Frontier” assesses the five TV series and 10 feature films, as well as the overriding mythology. Hosted by Leonard Nimoy, the documentary also interviews “Star Trek” stalwarts including Patrick Stewart, Kate Mulgrew and Avery Brooks.

In addition, the programme goes behind the scenes with many of the people (writers, model makers, set designers, technicians and directors) responsible for developing the “Star Trek” universe. Beam in this programme at 10 p.m. on Monday.

[bul] Tory Bodeen returns to her small Southern hometown to confront violent memories of her childhood. But they are more than memories: Tory is a clairvoyant, which means reliving horrific images from years ago, when her childhood friend Hope Lavelle was murdered.

Tory’s unique connection to Hope’s death makes her the latest suspect in the still unsolved murder, even as she and Hope’s older brother fall in love. Claire Forlani, Oliver Hudson and Jacqueline Bisset star in “Carolina Moon,” the latest Lifetime film based on a novel by best-selling author Nora Roberts. It airs at 10 p.m. on Monday.

[bul] What does it take to be Marine? And what does it mean? Answering those questions is the mission of “The Marines,” a 90-minute documentary about the smallest but arguably fiercest of the US armed services. Visiting Marine Corps training facilities in Parris Island, South Carolina, Quantico, Virginia, and Twentynine Palms, California, the film reveals the unique bond Marines have with one another and to the Corps at large. It airs at 9 p.m. on Wednesday on PBS (check local listings).Frazier Moore is a national television columnist for The Associated Press. He can be reached at fmoore<$>[AT]ap.org