Get Ready to Cheer: NBC's 'Stumble' Lands Star-Powered Guest Cast!

NBC's newest mockumentary comedy, 'Stumble,' is bringing the laughs and the spirit, with a fantastic lineup of guest stars joining its already stellar cast. Get ready to dive into the hilariously high-stakes world of junior college cheerleading this November!

TL;DR: The Quick Hits You Need to Know About This New Comedy

• NBC's new mockumentary comedy, 'Stumble,' premieres on Friday, November 7, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, right after 'Happy's Place.'
• The show follows Courteney Potter (Jenn Lyon), a champ cheer coach, as she tries to rebuild her career with a new junior college squad.
• A fantastic roster of guest stars including Busy Philipps, Sean Kaufman, Alfredo Narciso, Jeff Hiller, Dascha Polanco, and Ashlie Atkinson are set to bring extra laughs and drama.

Stumbling Into Success: The Lowdown on NBC's Fresh New Comedy Series

Alright, cheer fans and comedy connoisseurs, listen up! There's a brand-new show heading your way that promises to be a total touchdown – or rather, a perfect pyramid – for your Friday nights. NBC is dropping its latest single-camera comedy, Stumble, and it's bringing all the mockumentary vibes we love, combined with the incredibly spirited (and often chaotic) world of junior college cheerleading.

Mark your calendars for November 7, 2025, because that's when you'll meet Courteney Potter, played by the amazing Jenn Lyon. Courteney's a former champion cheer coach who, let's just say, had a little "stumble" in her career. After a video of her partying with her old team goes viral (oops!), she finds herself starting from scratch at Headltston State Junior College. Her mission? To rally a new, let's call them "less-than-stellar," squad and lead them to her record-breaking 15th championship. Sounds like the perfect recipe for heartwarming laughs and underdog triumphs, right?

Meet the Headltston State Cheer Squad and Beyond, Ready to Tumble

While Jenn Lyon leads the charge as the determined Coach Courteney, she's joined by a fantastic core cast that's sure to make you root for them. Taran Killam, known for his incredible comedic timing from his SNL days, is a series regular, and we can only imagine the antics he'll bring to the junior college campus. Ryan Pinkston, Jarrett Austin Brown, Anissa Borrego, Arianna Davis, Taylor Dunbar, and Georgie Murphy round out the main squad, playing the fresh faces Courteney needs to mold into champions.

Oh, and did we mention Courteney's married to the football coach at Headltston State, Boon E. Potter? Talk about a power couple trying to navigate campus life together, especially with Courteney's past reputation looming! Their dynamic is sure to add another layer of humor and heart to the series, exploring the challenges of maintaining a marriage while both are entrenched in the competitive world of college sports, albeit at different levels of perceived prestige.

A Star-Studded Bench: Guest Stars You Won't Want to Miss Out On

As if the core cast wasn't exciting enough, Stumble is rolling out the red carpet for a parade of incredible guest stars set to appear throughout its 13 half-hour episodes. This lineup is seriously stacked, promising even more comedic gold and memorable characters to fall in love with. Each of these actors brings a unique comedic voice and background, ensuring a diverse range of humor.

Let's break down who's joining the cheer-tastic fun, adding their distinct flair to the Headltston State world:

• Busy Philipps as Vicky: Fans of Girls5eva and Cougar Town know Busy brings the laughs and a vibrant energy! She'll play Vicky, the gregarious and fun-loving 20-year-old sister who raised Peaches (Taylor Dunbar). Despite looking "on the hard side of 40" and having a "whiskey and cigarette voice," Vicky is actually not old enough to drink. This character description alone screams comedic potential, hinting at hilarious situations arising from her youthful exuberance clashing with her mature demeanor and guardianship responsibilities.
• Sean Kaufman as Holden: Known from The Summer I Turned Pretty and For All Mankind, Sean Kaufman will take on the role of Holden, an extremely shy college football player. We're told he's got a crush on Sally (Georgie Murphy), which is sure to lead to some adorable and awkward moments. His quiet demeanor will likely provide a great contrast to the high-energy cheerleading world, offering plenty of sweet, humorous interactions.
• Alfredo Narciso as Krystal's Dad: Also from The Summer I Turned Pretty and Manifest, Alfredo Narciso steps in as the father of cheerleader Krystal (Anissa Borrego). He's part-manager and part-CEO of "Krystal Enterprises," alongside Krystal's mom. This unusual family business dynamic suggests a unique, possibly overbearing, but certainly comedic parenting style that will undoubtedly affect Krystal's cheerleading journey.
• Jeff Hiller as Augustus: An Emmy winner for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy for his role in HBO's Somebody Somewhere, Jeff Hiller will play Augustus, the owner of the local Candy Button factory and the town of Headltston's biggest benefactor. His role as a benevolent, slightly quirky community pillar could lead to some hilarious interactions with the struggling cheer squad, perhaps as a sponsor or an unexpected source of aid (or hindrance!).
• Dascha Polanco as Krystal's Mom: Best known for her powerful role in the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, Dascha Polanco will portray Krystal's mother. Like Krystal's dad, she's a co-manager and co-CEO of the mysterious Krystal Enterprises. Her presence completes the picture of Krystal's entrepreneurial family, and we can expect some sharp, witty dialogue and perhaps a clash of priorities between business and cheer.
• Ashlie Atkinson as Miss Dot: The talented Ashlie Atkinson (currently Mamie Fish in The Gilded Age and soon to be seen in The Lost Bus) plays Miss Dot, the eccentric, unregistered school nurse and facilities manager. She's the kind of character who helps the cheer team with "various odd jobs" – and we bet those jobs are anything but ordinary! Miss Dot sounds like a true wild card, an invaluable (and possibly unhinged) asset to the team's behind-the-scenes operations.

And let's not forget the phenomenal Kristin Chenoweth, who is set to recur as Tammy Istiny, Courteney's former assistant coach from her previous school. With a voice like Kristin's and her well-known comedic chops, Tammy's return to Courteney's life is bound to be dramatic, hilarious, or a perfect mix of both, potentially serving as a rival, a confidante, or both at different times.

The Showrunners' Take: Why Friday Nights are Perfect for 'Stumble' and What to Expect

"First of all, we are thrilled to be on television. I know that this is not the most fertile landscape for comedy right now," co-showrunner Jeff Astrof shared, acknowledging the challenges but also the immense excitement of bringing a new sitcom to air. He added that NBC strategically placed them after Reba McEntire's successful Happy's Place because that hit delivers "NBC’s biggest live audience," and Stumble itself "tested really, really well in the middle of the country, I think it tested well across the board." This suggests a broad appeal that resonates with a key demographic already tuning into NBC's Friday night lineup.

Liz Astrof echoed her brother's sentiment, feeling "flattered" that NBC is "setting us up for success. Really, following Reba is such a great thing, to be following their most successful show. It feels good to be cared for like that." The sibling duo behind the show are veterans of hit sitcoms like The King of Queens, 2 Broke Girls, and The New Adventures of Old Christine, bringing a wealth of experience in crafting beloved, long-running comedies to Stumble.

Jeff also playfully hinted at the show's rewatchability, especially given the rapid-fire humor: "I'm hoping people watch us live and then have to see it again the next day on Peacock because they realize that they missed 200 jokes." Given the mockumentary format, which he notes offers "opportunities for sight gags," this isn't just a clever line – it's a promise for layered humor and visual gags that reward repeat viewings. Their confidence in the show's comedic density speaks volumes about the quality viewers can expect.

The Mockumentary Magic: Why This Style Works So Well for Cheerleading Comedy

If you're a fan of shows like The Office or Parks and Recreation (both iconic NBC mockumentaries, by the way!), then you already know the magic this format can bring. It allows for direct-to-camera confessionals, subtle glances to the "camera crew," and those brilliant, blink-and-you-miss-it visual gags that make repeated viewings so rewarding. This immersive style pulls the audience into the world of the characters, making their triumphs and failures feel more personal and immediate.

For Stumble, focusing on the "ridiculously high stakes competitive world of junior college cheer" through a mockumentary lens is a genius move. As Jeff Astrof mentioned, "the choice to focus on junior college cheerleading is much funnier than a more elite arena." This specific setting inherently provides a rich tapestry of characters – from the overly ambitious coach trying to reclaim her glory to the quirky, sometimes awkward athletes just trying to make it work. The "less-than-stellar" aspect of the team guarantees plenty of physical comedy and relatable struggles, all perfectly captured by the faux-documentary style, amplifying the humor in their earnest efforts.

Imagine the talking head interviews where exhausted cheerleaders spill their true feelings about a demanding practice, the awkward practice mishaps caught on camera that highlight their underdog status, or the behind-the-scenes drama unfolding as the team tries to perfect their routines with limited resources. The mockumentary format makes you feel like you're right there with them, cheering (or cringing) every step of the way. It grounds the larger-than-life aspirations of the team in a very human, often clumsy, reality, creating a truly unique comedic experience that finds humor in both the grand and the mundane aspects of junior college life and competitive cheer.

Behind the Camera: The Talented Team Bringing 'Stumble' to Life for Audiences

The Astrof siblings, Jeff and Liz, are at the helm as writers and executive producers, and their combined experience in the sitcom world is impressive. Jeff's credits include the quirky comedy Trial & Error, and Liz has worked on beloved, character-driven shows like 2 Broke Girls and The New Adventures of Old Christine. This duo clearly knows their way around a laugh-track (or in this case, a laugh-inducing script!) and how to develop compelling, funny characters that resonate with audiences.

They're joined by an accomplished executive producing team, including Dana Honor and Monica Aldama. Monica Aldama's inclusion is particularly exciting – as a renowned cheerleading coach herself, she brings authentic insight into the sport, ensuring that even amidst the comedy, the cheer world is depicted with a knowing wink and a genuine understanding of its nuances. This real-world expertise adds a layer of credibility and depth to the show's premise. Jeff Blitz, who also directed the pilot, serves as an executive producer, bringing his directorial vision to kickstart the series and set its mockumentary tone.

All of this creative firepower, coupled with the robust support of Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, suggests that Stumble isn't just a quirky premise; it's a carefully crafted comedy designed to hit all the right notes for audiences looking for their next favorite show. The blend of seasoned comedic writers, experienced producers, and authentic sports insight creates a strong foundation for a breakout hit.

Why You Should Clear Your Friday Nights for the Premiere of 'Stumble'

In a television landscape that, as Jeff Astrof pointed out, isn't always "fertile for comedy," Stumble stands out as a promising fresh face. It's got the relatable underdog story, the laugh-out-loud mockumentary format, and a cast brimming with comedic talent and star power. The combination of established comedy veterans and exciting guest stars guarantees a dynamic, engaging viewing experience that promises both belly laughs and genuine heart.

Being strategically paired with Reba McEntire's successful Happy's Place on Fridays gives Stumble a strong lead-in audience, especially in the "middle of the country" where it tested so well. It's a savvy, strategic move by NBC to build a strong comedy block, a testament to their confidence in the show's broad appeal and its ability to capture a dedicated audience. Plus, with new episodes available for next-day streaming on Peacock, you've got no excuse to miss out, whether you watch live to catch all 200 jokes or rewatch later to ensure you didn't miss a single one of those brilliant sight gags and quick-fire lines.

So, get ready to be charmed by Courteney Potter's unwavering spirit, amused by her eclectic team, and thoroughly entertained by the parade of guest stars who will pop up throughout the season. Stumble is shaping up to be more than just a comedy; it's an invitation to cheer, laugh, and maybe even find your own little piece of championship glory right from your living room. Don't miss the premiere on November 7!

Frequently Asked Questions About NBC's New Comedy 'Stumble' When does 'Stumble' premiere on NBC? 'Stumble' premieres on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. Where can I watch 'Stumble' episodes online? You can watch 'Stumble' live on NBC. Episodes will also be available to stream the next day on Peacock. What is the main plot of the 'Stumble' TV series? 'Stumble' is a mockumentary-style comedy about Courteney Potter (Jenn Lyon), a former champion cheer coach who, after a career misstep, takes on the challenge of leading a less-than-stellar junior college cheer squad to a championship. Is Kristin Chenoweth featured in 'Stumble'? Yes, Kristin Chenoweth is set to appear as a recurring guest star, playing Tammy Istiny, Courteney Potter's former assistant coach from her previous school. Sources

• Busy Philipps, Sean Kaufman & Alfredo Narciso To Guest Star In NBC’s ‘Stumble’ – Deadline
• Jeff Hiller, Dascha Polanco, Ashlie Atkinson Join NBC Comedy ‘Stumble’ in Guest Roles (EXCLUSIVE) – Variety
• NBC's Stumble Showrunners Are 'Thrilled' To Be Paired With Reba McEntire's Happy's Place On Friday Nights – CinemaBlend
• All the Guest Stars Appearing on Stumble in the Cheerleading Sitcom's Debut Season – NBC Insider