‘Stumble’ Review: NBC’s Competitive Cheerleading Mockumentary Struggles to Shine
The series, featuring Kristin Chenoweth as a recurring guest star, follows elite coach Courteney, played by Jenn Lyon, as she attempts to guide a team of quarrelsome misfits toward a championship.
Late in the second episode of NBC’s college cheerleading mockumentary, Courteney addresses her squad:
“Now, when I look at this team, I see grit, determination, heart. That’s what people are going to want to be here to be part of.”
As motivational speeches go, this one is typical—something seen in countless other underdog sports stories, often delivered with more originality or passion. However, here it feels awkward, almost like the beginning of a joke that never lands.
Created by siblings Liz Astrof (Pivoting) and Jeff Astrof (Shining Vale), the comedy struggles with inconsistent tone, swinging between underdeveloped humor and undeserved emotional moments. Despite these flaws, its earnest effort and charm offer hope it might improve over time.
The limited preview of only the first two episodes, both heavily focused on setting up the straightforward premise, prevents the show from settling into a natural rhythm. It remains unclear if viewers are meant to laugh at the characters or with them.
Summary
This series tries hard to balance humor and heart but ends up as a tonal jumble, leaving viewers uncertain about how to relate to its characters.
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