‘Overcompensating’ Review: Benito Skinner’s Amazon Coming-of-Age Comedy Delivers College Hijinks with Laughter and Heart

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It’s been several years since my college graduation, making me unsure if it’s common among current students to share a fondness for Ashlee Simpson, whose latest album was released when many of them weren’t even born yet.

Unanticipated homage to the filmmaker of “Pieces of Me” in Benito Skinner’s latest Amazon comedy, Overcompensating, is one of several instances that seem more fitting for mature millennials rather than Gen Z. The majority of pop culture references found in Overcompensating, such as prolonged tributes to Twilight, Glee and the reimagined Megan Fox movie, Jennifer’s Body, come off, at best, like things these characters might have learned from their older siblings or parents.

The unexpected tribute to the director of “Pieces of Me” in Benito Skinner’s new Amazon comedy, Overcompensating, is one example where it seems that only mature millennials would appreciate it more than Gen Z. Most pop culture references within Overcompensating, including extended references to Twilight, Glee and the updated Megan Fox film, Jennifer’s Body, seem like things that the characters might have learned from their older siblings or parents.

In the series “Overcompensating”, the actors portray their roles as if they are several years beyond the ages of their on-screen characters. This is because the story takes place at Yates University, a fictitious institution, where the cast members play a mix of freshmen and seniors. They are all set in a location within the United States.

It’s quite common in TV shows set in a college (or high school) environment, especially when the creators themselves belong to that generation or something similar like “Skins”. However, you’ll find about 50 shows with actors in their 30s who are losing their hair and grumbling about freshman classes, or they’re filled with references that were hip among the writing team a few years back.

In other words, when a piece of writing, even though it may be old-fashioned, has a strong impact and a cast of actors who are endearing, we’ll ultimately forget about our concerns or nitpicks regarding those aspects.

Fortunately, Skinner’s Overcompensating eventually earns its suspension of disbelief.

Overcompensating doesn’t revolutionize the script for teenage comedy series, particularly those focusing on coming-out and growing up experiences. It may not introduce anything new that wasn’t already seen in shows like Heartstopper, Love, Victor, The Sex Lives of College Girls, Grown-ish, Gen V (or Greek or Undeclared or Dear White People), but it manages to hold its ground among the strong contenders within this familiar genre.

This show, created by esteemed content producer Skinner, confidently and humorously marks its debut. The ensemble features standout performances by less recognized actors as well as funny appearances by more recognized stars. Additionally, it’s filled with numerous guest spots.

In a bold and amusing move, this show, created by renowned content creator Skinner, makes its debut. The cast is brimming with breakthrough performances by lesser-known actors, humorous roles for familiar faces, and an abundance of cameos.

Or simply:

This series by Skinner, a well-respected content creator, confidently kicks off with humor. It’s packed with impressive debuts from less famous actors, amusing performances by stars you know, and lots of guest appearances.

The idea is somewhat based on the personal experiences of the 31-year-old character, Skinner. He portrays Benny, a popular high school football player who transitions to an unspecified Yates University, seeking a transformative opportunity that’s common in college life: self-discovery or a better version of oneself. College provides young adults with the chance to shape their identities, escaping the limitations set by high school and overbearing parents (Connie Britton and Kyle MacLachlan appear in two episodes as Benny’s parents).

During high school, Benny was popular and maintained a facade of heterosexuality, yet he had doubts about his sexual orientation. Upon entering Yates, he was certain that he was gay. He found himself frequently crossing paths with an attractive British classmate (Rish Shah’s Miles) in classes and on the quad, and he felt a strong pull towards the school’s gay student alliance. However, Benny wasn’t ready to reveal his true feelings, let alone kiss another man. Instead, he focused on the appearance of dating Carmen (Wally Baram), a fellow freshman who sought to escape her deceased brother’s shadow. A relationship, initially physical but eventually evolving into a unique friendship, developed between them.

The cast features Benny’s older sister Grace (played by Mary Bath Barone), who has transformed her dissatisfying persona by losing weight, distancing herself from old friends, and associating with boyfriend Peter (Adam DiMarco, known for his role in ‘The White Lotus’ season 2), a self-centered individual with business ambitions and ties to the school’s most mysterious fraternity. Hailee (played by Holmes) is Carmen’s roommate, who aspires to explore her sexuality as a means of gaining popularity. Similar to many characters in numerous college shows, she navigates this journey through a series of recurring parties, performances, and class projects that provide a convenient episodic format.

Skinner, who is primarily responsible for the scriptwriting or co-scripting throughout the season, demonstrates a distinct fondness for the genre and has crafted Overcompensating into one of those series that skillfully navigates the fine line between crude – featuring explicit language, suggestive sexual content, and at least one character whose prominent characteristic is his frequent exposed male organ – and heartwarming. He further complicates this balance by introducing the idea that during the transition from one personality to another, the incomplete persona in-between can sometimes behave rather obnoxiously.

The story revolves around the self-centeredness involved in striving to transform into your desired self, and the characters in “Overcompensating” are individuals who aim to be good, perhaps even think they already are, yet their self-focus often hinders their best selves. Essentially, everyone in this story is inadvertently causing harm to others, which might not make them endearing characters, but it certainly makes them familiar as human beings. (It’s also worth noting that they frequently drop pop culture references, some of which I, being not a Zoomer, am able to comprehend).

The creators strive to maintain the imperfections of these characters, which may cause some viewers to struggle finding relatable figures due to their complex personalities. However, this approach effectively generates an uncomfortable viewing experience throughout the first season’s eight episodes. Conversely, Netflix’s remake of Forever is built on romantic entanglements that seem contrived, but the deceit, reckless secrets, and harsh words driving Overcompensating can be rationalized as actions from “flawed individuals who could potentially become decent people.

In this aspect, it’s not advantageous that Skinner appears to be fully matured into his future self, seeming more suited for a role in a medical drama rather than a teenager. Yet, surprisingly, for someone with such influence as a star/creator/writer/producer on the project, he shows minimal ego when it comes to making Benny appear flawed and foolish, as the show’s dramatic intensity demands. He convincingly vacillates between being awkward and arrogant.

In the series “Overcompensating,” Baram, who has previously worked on shows like “Betty” and “What We Do in the Shadows,” rapidly emerges as the show’s emotional core. Her charm and relatability make me yearn for the narrative to delve deeper into Carmen’s recent heartrending history. However, Baram appears to be saddled with the character that the show seems least inclined to empathize with. Interestingly, in the last two episodes, she skillfully imbues Grace with a sense of poignant understanding that makes her gruffness resonate more profoundly.

Among the primary characters, Overcompensating struggles to transform Miles into something beyond an intriguing love interest for Benny, while DiMarco’s abrupt efforts to flesh out Peter end up being counterproductive.

Skinner, along with directors Desiree Akhavan and Daniel Gray Longino, have rapidly filled the secondary world of the show with numerous brief, impactful roles. For instance, Kaia Gerber, who consistently excels at delivering deadpan sarcasm, and a variety of cameos that I won’t reveal to avoid spoilers, such as Charlie XCX, who convincingly portrays an exaggerated version of herself. Even the recurring characters in the background, like the couple who are constantly kissing or the girl frequently breaking down in the library, contribute to giving Yates a sense of authenticity, despite the fact that this show was not filmed on a real college campus with ample access.

After you move past the real-life nerves of attending high school and college, shows set in these environments can offer a comforting emotional release. The cancellation of The Sex Lives of College Girls by the streamer took away one of my favorite, light-hearted viewing options. So, thanks to Amazon and Benito Skinner for satisfying my craving for misguided romantic entanglements, test anxiety, and covert college antics. However, I’d appreciate it if a second season is released soon or, at the very least, the characters are advanced to graduate students. My ability to suspend disbelief has its limits.

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2025-05-14 19:28