Get ready to fall in love with a show that’s equal parts heartwarming and hilarious—because NBC’s new sitcom ‘Stumble’ is here to flip the script on what you think you know about cheerleading mockumentaries. If you’ve ever binge-watched ‘Cheer’ and wished for a comedic twist, this series is your answer. Premiering Friday, ‘Stumble’ takes the high-energy world of competitive cheerleading, blends it with the underdog charm of ‘The Bad News Bears,’ and wraps it all in the cringe-worthy, laugh-out-loud style of ‘The Office.’ Think characters who are hyper-aware of the camera, cutaway interviews dripping with irony, and a fourth wall that’s practically non-existent. Sure, it’s a formula we’ve seen before, but here’s the kicker: it works—and it works really well. Based on the first two episodes, the slapstick humor and absurdity hit all the right notes, leaving me in stitches more than once.
At the heart of the chaos is Jenn Lyon as Courteney Potter, a cheerleading coach who’s part Monica Aldama (yes, that Monica from ‘Cheer’), part trophy-hoarding Texan, and all charisma. Courteney’s journey begins with a less-than-scandalous firing—think champagne, a ‘best booty’ award, and a team celebration gone mildly viral. Her new gig? Coaching the Buttons, a ragtag squad at a community college in the fictional Headltston, Texas, a town so quirky it’s famous for its Candy Button factory. And this is where it gets good: her team is a motley crew of misfits, from Madonna (Arianna Davis), whose boundless energy is only rivaled by her narcoleptic episodes, to Dimarcus (Jarrett Austin Brown), a third-person-speaking football dropout with a knack for unsportsmanlike conduct. Then there’s Peaches (Taylor Dunbar), whose nickname comes from a story involving a can of cling peaches and a head injury—you do the math.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Courteney’s husband, Boone (Taran Killam), leans into his own head injury for laughs, playing the ‘brain damage card’ whenever he’s in hot water. Is it insensitive? Maybe. Is it funny? Absolutely. But it raises a question: Where’s the line between humor and insensitivity, especially when real communities are involved? Let’s discuss in the comments.
As Courteney assembles her team—including a ‘cheerlebrity’ named Krystal (Anissa Borrego) who thinks the show is about her—the goal is clear: win the nationals in Daytona Beach. Sounds impossible? Probably. But that’s what makes it compelling. Unlike some mockumentaries that feel aimless, ‘Stumble’ gives us a destination, a purpose, and a reason to care. Even in just two episodes, creators Jeff and Liz Astrof have built a show with surprising emotional depth. And with Busy Philipps set to join the cast, the best might still be yet to come.
So, will the Buttons survive? Who knows. But one thing’s for sure: ‘Stumble’ is a show worth cheering for. And this is the part most people miss: It’s not just about the laughs—it’s about finding hope in the unlikeliest of places. Now, here’s a thought: Do we root for the underdogs because we see ourselves in them, or because we love watching them defy the odds? Let me know what you think!
