Kristin Chenoweth cast in new cheerleading comedy pilot Stumble for NBC

Tony and Emmy winner Kristin Chenoweth has joined the cast of cheerleading comedy pilot Stumble for NBC. NBC’s latest comedy venture Stumble has a big name on board: Kristin Chenoweth has been cast in a recurring role in the single-camera mockumentary about the world of junior college cheerleading. If the pilot goes to series, Chenoweth will have a series regular role alongside leads Jenn Lyon, Taran Killam and others.


Kristin Chenoweth

The series is written by brother and sister Jeff Astrof and Liz Astrof and is presented in a mockumentary style – similar to The Office and Parks and Recreation. The story follows Courteney Potter (Lyon), a former top coach on the junior college cheerleading circuit who is thrown out after a scandal. She must continue her career at an unknown and underfunded school, where competition is still fierce.

Chenoweth plays Tammy Istiny (pronounced “Isstinny,” but everyone else hears “Is Tiny”—a nod to Chenoweth’s own 5-foot-10 frame). Tammy is Courteney’s loyal but stuck-in-the-mud assistant coach, still living in her 1989 glory days, complete with high bangs, excessive makeup, and Cherry Coke slush in hand. When Courteney is fired, Tammy reluctantly takes over as head coach.

The actress is a five-time Emmy Award nominee, including for ABC’s Pushing Daisies, and a three-time Tony Award nominee, including for You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. (One of her Tony nominations was for Wicked .) She recently starred in the Netflix holiday film Our Little Secret and sang the closing credits number Live Like That in the animated film The King of Kings. On TV, she has appeared in the Apple TV+ musical comedy Schmigadoon!, CBS’s The Good Wife, Fox’s Glee, and more.

NBC has not yet made a decision on a full series order, but with Chenoweth's comedic timing, Broadway experience and cult following, Stumble seems like a contender to air.