Stumble Premieres on NBC as Cheerleading Comedy
Stumble debuts Friday night on NBC, featuring Jenn Lyon as the leader of an unlikely cheer squad in this new mockumentary-style comedy. The show, premiering in November, stars Taran Killam as Lyon’s husband in a high-stakes cheerleading story inspired by the Netflix documentary Cheer. Monica Aldama, from the original documentary, serves as an executive producer.
Main Characters and Plot
Courteney Potter, once a junior college cheer coach with 14 championships and tied as the winningest coach in history, faces a career shift after a scandal. She was fired from Sammy Davis Sr. Junior College for partying with her team and now coaches at smaller Headltston State Junior College. Her new squad has only one cheerleader: Madonna, who struggles with narcolepsy during performances.
Building the Underdog Team
Courteney recruits a diverse group:
- DiMarcus, a flashy football player
- Stevie, a middle-aged former cheerleader who left the sport 16 years ago
- Peaches, a low-level criminal with impressive parkour skills
- Sally, frequently caught in unusual crises
This ragtag group forms a team in a setup familiar from many sports comedies.
“When I look at this team, I see grit, determination, heart. That’s what people want to be a part of.”
Context and Appeal
Competitive cheerleading has become widely popular following the success of Netflix’s Cheer documentary, which showcased genuine drama and intense competition. Stumble leverages this interest but reimagines it through a comedic lens, turning the high-pressure world of cheerleading into a source of humor.
Author’s summary:
Stumble blends heartfelt underdog spirit with humor, offering a fresh comedic take on the world of competitive cheerleading inspired by real-life drama.