NBC's 'Stumble' criticized for using narcolepsy as a punchline.
NBC's new sitcom 'Stumble,' which premiered on November 7 with the considerable comedic firepower of Kristin Chenoweth, Jenn Lyon, and Taran Killam, has quickly stumbled into a controversy far more significant than its cheerful premise of a former elite cheer coach leading a team of misfits. While early reviews praised the show's 'hilarious' and 'sharp writing,' the series is now facing a crescendo of criticism for its central, and many argue reckless, comedic device: using narcolepsy as a recurring punchline.The character of Madonna, portrayed by Arianna Davis, is defined by her condition, which the show depicts through dramatic, unexpected collapses mid-cheer routine, framing her as the 'talented yet awkward misfit. ' This portrayal, however, is a Hollywood caricature that bears little resemblance to the lived reality of a chronic neurological disorder affecting an estimated 200,000 Americans and 3 million people globally.The dissonance between the on-screen gag and medical fact is not merely a creative liberty; it is, according to experts like Julie Flygare, founder of Project Sleep and an award-winning author who lives with narcolepsy, a dangerous misrepresentation with tangible consequences. In a powerful online petition directed at NBC, Flygare meticulously dismantles the show's premise, explaining that narcolepsy does not manifest as these sudden, slapstick collapses.In reality, she writes, an episode involves a growing sensation of sleepiness—an urge to sleep comparable to an urge to use the bathroom—that typically provides an individual with several minutes to find a safe place to nap. Even in extreme moments, a person's instinct is to support their head and body to prevent injury, a far cry from the uncontrolled fainting 'Stumble' presents for laughs.Flygare articulates the profound harm of such depictions: by presenting symptoms that are 'so other-worldly or not biologically possible,' Hollywood actively contributes to diagnostic delays that can stretch from eight to fifteen years, as both patients and doctors fail to recognize the condition's actual, more subtle signs. This is a tragic missed opportunity for a medium that functions as our de facto public health educator.Instead of leveraging its platform for awareness, 'Stumble' perpetuates a stereotype that fuels widespread misconceptions, which in turn create social stigma and barriers to diagnosis and management. Flygare's petition is not a simple plea for cancellation but a call for responsible storytelling, urging NBC to collaborate with the narcolepsy community to accurately represent the condition and even provide educational resources for viewers.The network's silence, as 'Fast Company' received no response by publication time, speaks volumes about an industry often reluctant to accept the ethical weight of its influence. For the millions navigating life with narcolepsy, management is a careful balance of medical treatments, strategic naps, and lifestyle adjustments—a reality 'Stumble' ignores in favor of a cheap, inaccurate laugh. The show's failure to do its homework is a critique that extends beyond this single program, highlighting a systemic laziness in writers' rooms when dealing with disability, choosing facile comedy over nuanced, human truth.
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#narcolepsy
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#disability representation
#medical accuracy
#television criticism
