Monica Aldama Inspires NBC's "Stumble"
When Jeff and Liz Astrof decided to adapt Netflix's Cheer into a comedy, they knew Monica Aldama, the influential cheer coach at the heart of the docuseries, had to be part of it.
"Stumble" as a Tribute to Cheerleading
NBC’s new primetime comedy Stumble serves as both a love letter to cheerleading and a nod to Cheer, the acclaimed docuseries that brought the sport’s high-energy stunts, squad dynamics, and vibrant culture into the spotlight.
NBC’s Stumble is described as “a love letter to cheer. Or should that be ‘Cheer,’ the hit Netflix docuseries that catapulted a sport with high-flying stunts, squad drama, bedazzled uniforms and lots of makeup, into the cultural zeitgeist?”
Inspiration from Navarro College and Monica Aldama
Liz and Jeff Astrof, like many in the U.S., became captivated by Navarro College’s champion cheerleaders and their determined coach Monica Aldama, whose story was showcased over two seasons in Greg Whiteley’s documentary beginning in 2020.
The documentary broke stereotypes, revealing cheerleading as a competitive and diverse sport with athletes from various social, economic, and racial backgrounds, not just sidelines entertainment.
A Concept Takes Shape
Jeff Astrof credits his sister for introducing him to the documentary, which quickly hooked him. He shared the idea: “We should do a show where Monica goes down to the worst college in America. We’ll call it ‘Stumble.’” The concept percolated for some time before gaining momentum.
Jeff Astrof said, “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.’”
Summary
The Astros creatively transform Monica Aldama’s inspiring presence and the spirit of competitive cheerleading into a fresh comedy series celebrating the sport's energy and diversity.
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