‘Stumble’ Review: NBC’s Competitive Cheerleading Mockumentary Is Hardly a Winner

The series, featuring Kristin Chenoweth as a recurring guest star, centers on an elite coach played by Jenn Lyon, who tries to lead a team of squabbling misfits to a championship.

Coach’s Pep Talk

In the second episode of NBC’s college cheerleading mockumentary Stumble, elite coach Courteney (Jenn Lyon) 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.”

While this pep talk is typical of underdog sports stories, it feels oddly out of place here, as if setting up a joke that never arrives.

Tonal Confusion

The comedy, created by siblings Liz Astrof (Pivoting) and Jeff Astrof (Shining Vale), is a tonal mess, shifting between underdeveloped jokes and unearned sentiment. Despite its struggles, the series tries hard and wears its heart on its sleeve, making it hard not to root for it to find its footing.

Premise and Pacing

Critics were only given the first two episodes, both of which focus heavily on establishing the straightforward premise. As a result, the show never settles into a comfortable rhythm. From the start, it’s unclear whether viewers are meant to laugh at the characters or with them.

Author’s Summary

Stumble is a well-meaning but uneven mockumentary that struggles to balance humor and heart, leaving its audience unsure of how to respond.

The Hollywood Reporter — 2025-11-07