Jeff Hiller gives a sneak peek of his quirky "Stumble" character before episode featuring Busy Philipps (Exclusive)

Fans get an exclusive look at the upcoming Stumble episode airing Friday, Dec. 5, which stars guest appearances from Jeff Hiller and Busy Philipps. In a recent discussion, Emmy-winning actor Hiller revealed details about his eccentric character, adding excitement for viewers.

This weeks episode introduces two unusual personalities. Hiller portrays Augustus, a German candy-button factory owner and benefactor whom Coach Courteney seeks out to help restore the struggling cheer gym. Philipps plays Vicky, the 20-year-old sister of Peaches who surprisingly looks 40, adding comedic confusion to the storyline.

Hiller, 49, explained that when he learned his character was described as a "Willy Wonka type" with the option of a "slight German accent," he immediately envisioned Augustus. I thought, 'If I do an accent, its all in, or not at all,' he said. The writers eventually encouraged him to keep the performance grounded, but Hiller chose to amplify the eccentricities, much to their delight. Hes thrilled to see the cheerleaders perform, and its fun for me as an actor because I get to witness it too, Hiller shared with a laugh.

On set, Hiller enjoyed working alongside Philipps, 46, who impressed him with her talk show Busy This Week and memoir This Will Only Hurt a Little. He described their interaction as a parasocial kind of weirdness, noting that while he felt familiar with her, she recognized him immediately. He also caught a glimpse of her Halloween costume, which he described as a portrayal of Cher from Moonstruck, calling it fantastic.

The episode clip shows Coach Potter, played by Jenn Lyon, visiting Peaches home where she meets Vicky and mistakenly assumes she is Peaches mother. Vicky clarifies that she is only slightly older than Peaches, joking that most people think they are twins. In a mockumentary-style confessional, Vicky elaborates on the confusion growing up, likening it to The Parent Trap without parents, and shares how her fathers absence shaped her childhood. The scene continues with Coach Potter questioning Peaches about her older sister, leading to humorous misunderstandings.

Stumble airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Peacock.

Author: Lucas Grant