‘Stumble’ Review: NBC’s Competitive Cheerleading Mockumentary
The series features Jenn Lyon as Courteney, an elite coach trying to unite a team of squabbling misfits to win a championship. Kristin Chenoweth appears as a recurring guest star.
Late in the second episode, Courteney addresses her team:
“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.”
The pep talk feels familiar and formulaic, like many underdog sports stories, but in this case it seems oddly misplaced, almost as if it were the setup to a joke that never lands.
The series, created by siblings Liz Astrof and Jeff Astrof, struggles with tone, alternating between weak jokes and forced sentimentality. Despite this, its earnest effort and cheerful spirit leave hope that it might improve over time.
Critics only received the first two episodes, which focus heavily on establishing the straightforward premise, preventing the show from finding a smooth rhythm. From the beginning, it’s unclear if viewers should laugh at the characters or with them.
Summary
‘Stumble’ is a well-meaning but uneven comedy that struggles to balance humor and heart in its portrayal of competitive cheerleading.
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