NBC is going full out. The network has handed a series order to Stumble, a mockumentary-style cheerleading comedy that fuses cheer drama with primetime television. With Jenn Lyon (Claws, Sirens) leading the cast and Cheer’s Monica Aldama executive producing, Stumble is locked in for the 2025–26 season.
Created by comedy power duo Liz and Jeff Astrof, Stumble centers on Courteney Potter (Lyon), a gritty junior college cheer coach chasing her 15th national title—and doing whatever it takes to get her squad of misfits across the finish line. The series promises sharp writing, emotional stakes, and a behind-the-scenes look at the grind behind the glitter.
Previously announced cast member Kristin Chenoweth is confirmed to recur. The Emmy and Tony winner brings star power and pitch-perfect comedic timing to the mat, after a standout guest role in the pilot. Also joining Lyon and Chenoweth are Taran Killam (SNL), Ryan Pinkston, Jarrett Austin Brown, Anissa Borrego, Arianna Davis, Taylor Dunbar, and Georgie Murphy.
This is NBC’s second comedy pilot to score a series order this year, joining The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, starring Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe. NBC has yet to finalize Stumble’s time slot, but industry insiders say it’s a frontrunner to air behind St. Denis Medical on Monday nights.
The creative team behind Stumble brings real credibility. Liz Astrof (2 Broke Girls, Fox’s Pivoting) and Jeff Astrof (Trial & Error, Shining Vale) are teaming up for the first time to co-create a series. They’re joined by producer Dana Honor (Defining Eve Productions) and Aldama, whose no-nonsense leadership on Netflix’s Cheer helped define the tone of junior college-level cheerleading for a global audience. Jeff Blitz, best known for his work on The Office, directed and executive produced the pilot.
The show’s unique tone is designed to capture both the absurdity and the intensity of life inside the cheer gym. Think pyramid mishaps, tension-filled practices, awkward pep rallies, and a coach who demands nothing less than perfection, even when the mats are falling apart.
Stumble marks a rare move: a scripted network series built with direct input from championship-level cheer professionals. With Monica Aldama guiding the production, the show brings a level of accuracy and relevance that scripted cheer content rarely achieves. Stumble steps in at a pivotal moment, offering a scripted look at a sport that’s rarely portrayed with this level of insight.
Stay locked in for exclusive Stumble coverage—follow @cheer2daily on IG and visit cheerdaily.net for behind-the-scenes updates and cheer TV breakdowns.
