Monica Aldama Inspires NBC's Comedy "Stumble"
When Jeff and Liz Astrof decided to transform Netflix's hit docuseries Cheer into a comedy, they knew Monica Aldama, the dedicated Navarro College cheer coach, had to be part of it. NBC’s new primetime comedy Stumble serves as a tribute both to cheerleading and the original series that brought the sport into the spotlight.
From Docuseries to Comedy
“Stumble” creators Liz and Jeff Astrof became captivated by the Navarro cheerleaders and their coach Monica Aldama, whose story was told in Greg Whiteley’s two-season Netflix documentary starting in 2020. The docuseries challenged stereotypes, revealing cheerleading as a competitive and athletic sport with a diverse group of participants from many backgrounds.
“I said, ‘You know what we should do? We should do a show where Monica goes down to the worst college in America. We’ll call it ‘Stumble,’” recalls Jeff during a recent video call with Liz.
The Spark Behind "Stumble"
Jeff initially resisted watching the docuseries until his sister insisted. He soon became fascinated and the idea of a comedy centered on Monica Aldama leading a struggling college team began to take shape, although it took some time before the concept fully developed.
Cheerleading’s Wider Appeal
- The Navarro College team’s success and Monica’s coaching broke traditional views of cheerleading.
- The documentary highlighted the sport's demanding athleticism and the personal stories of diverse participants.
- “Stumble” reflects this mix of drama, physicality, and humor inspired by the original series.
Author’s summary: The NBC comedy Stumble draws inspiration from Monica Aldama and the Navarro College cheer team, transforming their story into a fresh, humorous tribute to the athletic and diverse world of cheerleading.