NBC’s new comedy Stumble is off to a notable start. The pilot episode has reached 10.2 million viewers across all platforms to date, a strong early performance that has earned the series a high-profile scheduling boost. Stumble is currently in the Top 20 Most Popular Shows on NBC and Top 100 Overall on TV this season. All early signs for Stumble to be renewed for a second season, which is great news for the sport of cheerleading.
NBC announced it will air a special telecast of Stumble on Friday, Feb. 20, at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT, immediately following that evening’s coverage of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Olympic lead-out slots are typically reserved for programming the network sees as a priority, and the move signals confidence in the show’s ability to attract a broad audience beyond its initial comedy and cheerleading base.
“Stumble” airs regularly on NBC on Fridays at 8:30 p.m., with encore broadcasts on Mondays at 8:30 p.m and streams on Peacock.
The single-camera comedy takes the form of a mockumentary centered on the competitive world of junior college cheerleading. While exaggerated for comedic effect, the show draws on familiar dynamics within the sport and draws inspiration from the Emmy Winning series, Cheer on Netflix. The comedic series is hitting the mark on including authentic cheerleading with pressure-packed practices, institutional politics, and the intense personalities that often shape high-level cheer programs.
Variety recognized the series with a Critics Pick, calling it “a hysterical mockumentary about the high-stakes arena of junior college cheerleading.” That early critical support, combined with the show’s viewership numbers, positions “Stumble” as one of NBC’s more promising new comedies this season.
The cast includes Jenn Lyon, Taran Killam, Ryan Pinkston, Jarrett Austin Brown, Anissa Borrego, Arianna Davis, Taylor Dunbar, and Georgie Murphy. Kristin Chenoweth appears in a recurring role.
Behind the scenes, the creative team blends comedy veterans with real-world cheer credibility with many familiar faces from Navarro and TVCC, with Dahlston Delgado leading the cheerleading choreography for the production. The series is produced by Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Defining Eve Productions. Jeff Astrof and Liz Astrof serve as executive producers and writers, with Jeff Blitz also executive producing and directing. Additional executive producers include Dana Honor and Monica Aldama, whose involvement has drawn a lot of positive attention attention within the cheer community.
Aldama’s role has been a point of interest for her role in shaping how college cheerleading is portrayed on mainstream television. While “Stumble” is firmly a comedy, her presence suggests an effort to ground the series in recognizable elements of the sport, even as it leans into satire.
For cheerleaders and coaches, the show’s growing visibility presents a mixed but important moment. Increased exposure can introduce new audiences to cheerleading’s structure and intensity, even through a fictional lens. At the same time, programs and athletes are watching closely to see whether humor reinforces outdated stereotypes or opens the door to more nuanced conversations about the sport.
NBC’s decision to place “Stumble” directly after Olympic coverage gives the series access to one of the largest television audiences available. If even a fraction of those viewers stick around, the show’s reach could expand significantly in the coming weeks.
With 10.2 million viewers already counted across platforms and a prime Olympic lead-out ahead, “Stumble” has moved quickly from newcomer to network stand out. How the series balances comedy with representation will remain a key question, but its early momentum is undeniable.
ABOUT “STUMBLE”
“Stumble” is a mockumentary comedy about the high-stakes competitive world of junior college cheerleading.
Genre: Comedy, single-camera
Cast: Jenn Lyon, Taran Killam, Ryan Pinkston, Jarrett Austin Brown, Anissa Borrego, Arianna Davis, Taylor Dunbar, Georgie Murphy
Recurring: Kristin Chenoweth
Studio: Universal Television
Production Company: Defining Eve Productions
Executive Producers and Writers: Jeff Astrof, Liz Astrof
Executive Producer and Director: Jeff Blitz
Executive Producers: Dana Honor, Monica Aldama
