Reactions: Gay comedy the way it should be done!
Where to watch: Prime

You may be looking at Benito Skinner’s face and thinking, “Where do I know that guy?” Yes, it’s the hilarious TikTok sketch guy. And guess what? Overcompensating, a tv show that he wrote, directed and produced, is every bit as funny as his sketches. I’d argue it’s even better!

The story follows college freshman golden boy Benny as he navigates being in the closet. The characters are a riot. I laughed out loud constantly at their witty one-liners. I was especially fond of his last-ditch-female-love-interest-turned-fag-hag Carmen, played by Wally Baram. She’s absolute perfection as she figures out how to be his gay best friend gal pal.

So many scenes reminded me so much of my own coming out. His struggle to tell his parents. His first crush on a straight guy. His questioning if he’s just bi, and his failed attempt to have sex with a woman, proving he’s not, in fact, bi. He captures the college coming out story so wonderfully and hilariously.

I have only one complaint. He and Carmen are such terrible people and they keep being terrible people to everyone. Is this a Gen Z thing? I just finished Never Have I Ever (review coming), in which the protagonist Devi is a horrible person to every single person in her life for four entire seasons. Are we celebrating this now as a culture?

I have two hopes: 1. That Amazon renewe Overcompensating for a second season, and 2. That both Benny and Carmen have a redemption arc.

I highly, highly recommend watching this show. (One trigger warning: there are several full frontal scenes, done for comedic effect.)