‘Stumble’ Review: NBC’s Competitive Cheerleading Mockumentary
The series features Kristin Chenoweth as a recurring guest star and follows elite coach Courteney, played by Jenn Lyon, as she attempts to guide a team of quarreling misfits toward a championship.
Late in the second episode, Courteney gives her squad a pep talk:
“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 the speech is typical of underdog sports stories, it feels oddly misplaced here, as if setting up a joke that never arrives. The show's tone is inconsistent, swinging between weak humor and unearned emotion.
Created by siblings Liz Astrof (Pivoting) and Jeff Astrof (Shining Vale), the comedy struggles to find a stable rhythm, especially since critics were shown only the first two episodes.
The early episodes focus heavily on establishing the straightforward premise, which contributes to the awkward pacing and unclear intent regarding whether the audience should laugh at or with the characters.
Summary
Although ‘Stumble’ tries hard to charm with its cheerful spirit, its uneven tone and underdeveloped humor keep it from truly succeeding.
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