Monica Aldama Inspires NBC's Comedy 'Stumble'
When Jeff and Liz Astrof chose to adapt Netflix's documentary series Cheer into a comedy, they knew Monica Aldama—the cheer coach at the heart of the original—had to be part of it. NBC’s new primetime comedy Stumble serves as a tribute to cheerleading and the acclaimed Netflix series that brought the sport into the spotlight.
From Documentary to Comedy
For showrunners Liz and Jeff Astrof, the success of Navarro College’s champion cheerleaders and their straightforward coach Monica Aldama, as seen in Greg Whiteley’s 2020 two-season documentary, was captivating. The series transformed public perception by highlighting the athleticism, competitiveness, and diversity of cheerleading, featuring athletes of diverse social, economic, and racial backgrounds.
Creating the Concept for 'Stumble'
Jeff admits he initially watched Cheer because his sister insisted and was immediately captivated.
“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,’”
The idea developed slowly before finally taking shape as a comedy series.
Celebrating the Spirit of Cheerleading
Stumble blends affection for the original documentary with creative humor, aiming to capture what made Cheer resonate so deeply with audiences across America.
Author's summary: Monica Aldama's coaching and the authentic spirit of cheerleading inspired NBC’s comedy Stumble, creatively reimagining the beloved Netflix documentary’s impact and cultural relevance.