From YouTube shorts to Super Bowl airwaves: the rise of Rock Paper Scissors

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: What began as a project for the Nickelodeon Intergalactic Shorts Program has evolved into a full-scale animated comedy. Following a digital debut, this series about an unlikely trio of friends transitioned from YouTube pilots to a major network premiere, carving out a unique space in modern animation.

Created by Kyle Stegina and Josh Lehrman, the animated comedy Rock Paper Scissors follows the adventures of three distinct characters: Rock, an aspiring fashion model; Paper, an inventor and the group's voice of reason; and Scissors, an insecure character striving to be cool. The series was the first original production to emerge from the Nickelodeon Intergalactic Shorts Program, a developmental initiative that eventually greenlit the show for a full series in November 2021. The trio's adventures are joined by various eccentric characters. For instance, they encounter Potato, a laid-back potato friend of Rock. They also deal with Pencil, an intelligent pencil who is Paper's crush.

The production timeline shows a deliberate rollout across different platforms. While the series was picked up for full release in 2021, the first episodes did not appear on the Nicktoons YouTube channel until August 19, 2023. The show gained significant visibility during the holiday season when an exclusive preview was introduced during the NFL Nickmas game on December 25, 2023. Following this momentum, Nickelodeon officially debuted the series on February 11, 2024, right after their Super Bowl LVIII alternative broadcast. The series' impact was further cemented by its unique broadcast timing. The show's official premiere occurred during an alternative airing of Super Bowl LVIII.

The show's widespread success prompted a major expansion of its world. The series received a renewal for two further seasons on April 24, 2025. This expansion brought new content to viewers, with the second season premiering on November 7, 2025, and the third season following in June 2026. The ensemble cast features a variety of eccentric personalities, including Paper's sister Sandpaper, an action movie star, and Lou Zer, the trio's bad-tempered landlord. The cast includes several memorable figures. These include the magician Catalina, who acts as Scissors' nemesis, and the con artist Chad Brockchad.

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