Stumble Premieres on NBC as a Cheerleading Comedy
Stumble, a new mockumentary comedy, debuts on NBC this Friday night. The series stars Jenn Lyon as the leader of an unconventional cheerleading squad.
Plot and Characters
Jenn Lyon plays Courteney Potter, a former junior college cheer coach who once held 14 championships, tying her for the most wins in history. After a scandal involving a party with her team forced her out of Sammy Davis Sr. Junior College, Courteney takes a new job at the much smaller Headlston State Junior College.
Her new squad has only one cheerleader, Madonna, who struggles with narcolepsy during performances. The team is a classic underdog group, familiar from many sports comedies.
Team Members
- DiMarcus: a flashy football player recruited by Courteney.
- 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 bizarre crises.
Inspiration and Production
Stumble is inspired by the Netflix documentary Cheer and includes Monica Aldama, a notable figure from the documentary, as an executive producer. The show co-stars Taran Killam as Lyon’s husband, adding to the high-stakes cheerleading drama turned comedy.
“When I look at this team, I see grit, determination, heart. That’s what people want to be a part of.” — Courteney Potter
Cultural Context
Competitive cheerleading gained mainstream popularity through Netflix’s Cheer, which captured millions with its intense drama. Stumble takes that energy and flips it into a comedic perspective.
Fans of sports comedies will find the underdog story and quirky team dynamics engaging and relatable.
Author’s summary:
Stumble blends high-stakes cheerleading drama with comedy, showcasing a flawed but determined underdog team led by a top coach seeking redemption.