Monica Aldama Inspires NBC's 'Stumble'
When Jeff and Liz Astrof decided to adapt Netflix's documentary series Cheer into a comedy, they knew Monica Aldama, the Navarro College cheer coach, had to be part of it.
From Documentary to Comedy
NBC’s new primetime comedy Stumble is both a tribute to the sport of cheerleading and a nod to the hit Netflix docuseries Cheer, which launched the sport into mainstream awareness with its thrilling stunts, team drama, sparkling uniforms, and intense competitiveness.
The Astrofs’ Inspiration
Liz and Jeff Astrof became captivated by the champion Navarro cheerleaders and Monica Aldama, whose no-nonsense coaching was central to Greg Whiteley’s two-season series starting in 2020.
“I said, ‘You know what we should do? We should do a show where Monica goes down to the worst college in America. We’ll call it ‘Stumble,’” Jeff recalled during a recent video call with Liz.
A New Vision for Cheer
The original series challenged stereotypes, showing cheerleading as a demanding and diverse sport involving athletes of different genders, races, and backgrounds. Inspired by this, the Astrofs envisioned a comedy that captures the same spirit but adds a fresh twist.
The concept remained in their minds for some time before finally coming to fruition.
Summary
The Astrofs transformed their admiration for Monica Aldama and Cheer into Stumble, a comedic series that honors cheerleading's athleticism and diversity through a unique story.
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