‘Stumble’ Review: NBC Embraces Mockumentaries with Cheerleading Comedy
Jenn Lyon, Taran Killam, and Kristin Chenoweth star in NBC’s new mockumentary-style sitcom Stumble, a spirited comedy centered on junior college cheerleading. Fans of the cult classic Bring It On might appreciate this fresh take on the high-energy world of competitive cheer.
Plot and Characters
The show follows Courteney Potter (Jenn Lyon), a celebrated cheerleading coach who is abruptly fired from Sammy Davis Sr. Junior College in Wichita Flats, Texas. Her dismissal comes after a viral video surfaces from a victory party, featuring alcohol, the squad, and her awarding a “Best Booty” trophy. Despite this setback, Courteney quickly recovers with a new coaching job at a junior college in the fictional town of Heådltston, Oklahoma.
However, the new college has no cheer team, and locals struggle even to pronounce “Heådltston,” a town known for its candy-button factory. Undaunted, Courteney begins the challenging search for her next group of cheerleaders.
Notable Highlights
- Jenn Lyon delivers a delightfully deadpan performance as Courteney Potter.
- Jeff Hiller, recently awarded an Emmy for Somebody Somewhere, guest stars as Augustus, the candy-button factory owner.
- The show explores both the exhilaration and hardships of cheerleading, including injuries and setbacks.
“If you’re one of the fans who can recite the entire cheeky opening cheer from the 2000 teen cult classic flick ‘Bring It On’ (‘I’m sexy, I’m cute! I’m everything you’re not…’), you deserve a spirit stick.”
Only the first two episodes were available for review, but Stumble shows promise as a fresh, funny addition to NBC’s mockumentary lineup.
Author’s summary:
“Stumble” offers a witty and heartfelt look at the world of junior college cheerleading, blending sharp humor with authentic struggles and memorable characters.