Beyond the Punchline: What NBC's 'Stumble' Gets Wrong About Narcolepsy
- narcolepsynavigators
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
The character who suddenly collapses mid-sentence is a familiar Hollywood trope, almost always played for laughs. NBC’s new comedy ‘Stumble,’ set in the world of junior college cheerleading, is the latest to employ it. The show’s trailer introduces a character with narcolepsy whose collapses serve as comedic punchlines. For those who live with the condition, however, these portrayals are anything but funny. They represent a persistent cultural failure to grasp a complex neurological reality. As a person with Type 1 Narcolepsy and an advocate for the community, I know firsthand the damage these caricatures cause. They do a profound disservice to the real experiences of those living with the condition, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and glossing over a difficult daily struggle. It is time to dissect exactly what shows like ‘Stumble’ get wrong and expose the real-world consequences of these persistent misunderstandings.
1. It’s Not Just "Falling Asleep"—It’s Often Cataplexy
In the trailer for ‘Stumble,’ the character ‘Madonna’ is introduced in two key scenes. In the first, after completing a routine, she collapses backward. This portrayal of falling straight backward is far from realistic. As she lies on the ground, in paralysis or seemingly asleep, the coach kneels beside her and asks, “Are you dead or sleeping?” In a second scene, she is visibly excited and expressing herself to the team when she suddenly collapses again. The coach casually dismisses it: "Oh there she goes. Let's let her rest."
What this portrayal critically misses is that these collapses are not sleep. The show is depicting cataplexy, a sudden loss of muscle control triggered by strong emotions - like the excitement Madonna was feeling. In its attempt at a joke, the show almost stumbles upon a key medical detail before turning it into a cheap gag. During severe-complete Cataplexy, a person typically collapses straight down due to knee-buckling - resembling a 'ragdoll' rather than falling backward - or they may gradually slump and stumble to the ground. The scene does a horrific job at portraying accurately what she experiences. It is, frankly, insulting.
The core misrepresentation is conflating a cataplectic attack with falling asleep. This trivializes the often viciously distressing reality of the symptom. Crucially, during many cataplexy attacks, an individual remains fully conscious and aware but is unable to move or speak. This transforms the viewer's understanding of the scene from a comedic nap into the terrifying experience of temporary paralysis.
2. The Punchline Comes at a Price: The Human Cost of Misunderstanding
The repeated use of Narcolepsy as a joke in media has real, negative consequences for diagnosed individuals. This is not a new problem; this misrepresentation has persisted for almost as long as the disease has been recognized by the medical community, creating a long history of frustration and hurt. These stereotypes contribute to a profound minimizing of the condition, adding a heavy weight to the physiological burdens patients already carry. This speaks to a larger, systemic failure in how we discuss chronic illness. The human cost is not confined to the individual, either; the toll of the disease extends to loved ones, affecting entire families and social circles. Time and again, Hollywood and mainstream culture reduce Narcolepsy to a punchline or the butt of a joke. It is portrayed as merely overgeneralized sleepiness, or the worn-out stereotype of falling asleep out of the blue.
3. An Evolution Is Needed: Seeing the Whole Person, Not Just the Symptom
There is a critical need for evolving the conversation around Narcolepsy. This isn't just about Hollywood. A stagnant and stubborn attitude persists across the board - from scientists, doctors, and pharma to non-profits and the mainstream media. It is found in the general public and, at times, even within the patient community. Everyone has a role to play in moving beyond caricature.
This analysis must also include a nuanced critique of advocacy itself. In an effort to make complex symptoms easier to understand, even well-meaning non-profits can sometimes contribute to a lack of clarity by oversimplifying the messaging. The path to true understanding requires focusing deeply on the lived human experience. These portrayals are not just medical inaccuracies; they are attacks on a person's identity, because the condition is so much more than a collection of symptoms.
Narcolepsy is deeply rooted within a person's character, mannerisms, and mindset. It permeates their behavior and existence. This is not a life choice, but a life struggle—an ongoing toll and burden. Better media portrayals could play a powerful role in healing this stigma. When creators actively seek out and include real knowledge, expertise, and stories - prioritizing these voices - they foster genuine understanding instead of perpetuating a harmful joke.
Conclusion: Beyond the Screen
The media has the power to shape public perception. A TV show can either reinforce a tired, harmful stereotype or it can illuminate the truth of a lived experience, fostering empathy and dissolving stigma. The choice to use a medical condition as a punchline is a choice to ignore the human cost of misunderstanding. The next time you see a condition portrayed on screen, will you see the joke or the human being behind it?
Take Action If this portrayal concerns you, you are not alone. Julie Flygare, CEO of Project Sleep, has launched a petition urging NBC to ensure an accurate portrayal of Narcolepsy in ‘Stumble.’ Join the community in demanding better representation by adding your name to the cause :https://www.change.org/p/urge-nbc-to-ensure-accurate-portrayal-of-narcolepsy-in-stumble
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Seek a qualified medical professional with expertise in Narcolepsy for diagnosis or treatment. I am not a medical professional.
Created by: Solomon Briggs
(aka Narcoplexic)
November 22nd, 2025
Beyond the Punchline: What NBC’s ‘Stumble’ Gets Wrong About Narcolepsy © 2025 by Solomon Briggs is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0
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