Stumble Premieres on NBC as a Cheerleading Comedy
Stumble debuts on NBC Friday night, featuring Jenn Lyon as the leader of a mismatched cheer squad. This new mockumentary-style comedy premieres in November and stars Taran Killam as Lyon’s husband in a high-stakes cheerleading story.
Show Inspiration and Production
The series draws inspiration from the Netflix documentary Cheer and includes Monica Aldama as an executive producer.
Plot and Characters
Courteney Potter, once a record-holding junior college cheer coach with 14 championships, faces a downfall after a scandal. She was fired from Sammy Davis Sr. Junior College following a party incident with her team. Now, she starts fresh at the much smaller Headltston State Junior College.
Her new team consists of just one cheerleader, Madonna, who struggles with narcolepsy during performances. This underdog story echoes familiar themes from numerous sports comedies.
- Courteney recruits DiMarcus, a flashy football player.
- She finds Stevie, a former cheerleader who quit 16 years ago.
- Peaches, a petty criminal with advanced parkour skills, is enlisted.
- Sally, known for constantly landing in strange situations, also joins.
“When I look at this team, I see grit, determination, heart. That’s what people want to be a part of.”
Cheerleading's Rise in Popular Culture
Competitive cheerleading gained widespread attention thanks to Netflix’s documentary series Cheer, which captivated audiences with its intense drama. Stumble transforms this enthusiasm into a comedic take.
Author’s summary: Stumble is a fresh, comedic take on cheerleading culture, blending underdog spirit with quirky characters and inspired by the hit documentary Cheer.