Stumble is a 2025 American comedy television series created by Jeff Astroff and Liz Astroff. The film premiered in the United States (NBC) on November 7, 2025.
Stumble introduces us to the world of American college cheerleading teams — but not as a traditional drama, but through the prism of mockumentary (joking pseudo-documentary form). The main character, coach Courtney Potter (played by Jen Lyon), after being publicly fired, takes on a difficult and almost hopeless task: to assemble a new team of amateurs and turn it into a competitive cheerleading group.
Instead of relying on elites or experience, it turns to „sinners,“ queer fans, underappreciated young people—with the idea that everyone deserves a second chance. The show draws humor from the conflict between ambition, reality, personal problems, and unsuitable candidates, as well as from the inherent fluctuations of the mockumentary form: the cameras observe the rehearsals, the pain, and the conflicts—all with a dose of sarcasm, self-irony, unexpected reactions, and realistic humanity.
The tone is closer to a warm-hearted comedy than a satirical parody — the characters are not clichéd "black sheep" but people with weaknesses, hopes, and a desire to prove themselves. This makes the series accessible to viewers who don't like harsh satire but love human stories.
The format mockumentary gives freedom to the style: observation from a "hand-held camera", interviews with the characters, director's narration, momentary sensitivity - all this gives a feeling of intimacy and spontaneity.
The comedic tone is emphasized, but without becoming vulgar — humor often comes from imperfections, from amateurism, from human weaknesses, which makes the laughter more empathetic.
The acting is — according to early reactions — one of the show's strengths. In a review of a new episode, one of the guest stars, Jeff Hiller, praised Jen Lyon as the "queen of comedy" for her ability to make you laugh without overdoing it, and to balance the absurd with the human.
The vision and installation are typical of mockumentary: short episodes, fragmented scenes, a dynamic pace that maintains attention and allows for focus on character and conflict, rather than high-budget sets.
Stumble is a pleasant, fresh offering in the mockumentary-comedy genre — with good characters, sincere humor, and a human approach to ambitions, failures, and hopes. A series that doesn't take itself too seriously, but at the same time doesn't underestimate the feelings and motivations of its characters.
If you're looking for a story that will cheer you up, leave you smiling, and — sometimes — make you sympathize with "sinners" who are trying to become better, Stumble is a good choice. For me, this is a series that could become a small but beloved classic for people who appreciate warm comedy without unnecessary pretensions.
