Overcompensating

I stumbled on this show and it's unexpectedly funny and easy to watch. Good storytelling, relatable characters, great packaging. I haven't enjoyed a comedy series like this in a while.

We're experiencing college through the eyes of the two freshmen protagonists, Benny and Carmen, who come with their own baggage which could be a deep well of plots and storylines for subsequent seasons. I appreciate that some of these potential stories might have to be set off-campus which is refreshing in itself.

Also, credit goes to the secondary/supporting cast for being just as compelling. Peter's storyline may be only second to Benny's in terms interest.

Very good show.

The talented Benito Skinner not only stars, but also created and wrote this college campus comedy about being chameleons in one's peer social surroundings in order to survive the humiliation of being a nobody freshie. In Benny's case, he is gay, and in this day and age he attempts to hide it under the facade of a high school football star from Ohio (or was it Idaho?) Nevertheless, Benny has a hard time coming out, and along the way he befriends another freshie, Carmen, who together navigate their new world in an overblown send-up of college life and all the ridiculous situations that come with it, but with an emotional depth that surprises with each episode...

As someone who's seen a lot of television and is bored by most of it due to how slow the plot progresses, I appreciate when I finds a show where literally every episode and you're 100% in. Every episode explores a new story arc and I love that I can't stop watching. I've followed Benito Skinner for years and his humor is so specific and funny that I was having 2010s flashbacks 😂 He stars and wrote it so we have Benny's quick wit to thank for creating this gem. And convincing Charli XCX to be in it. Also love breaking down the stereotypes of college, growing beyond labels and how we are all human going through the same experience.

I had low expectations based on the description but since it was A24 produced, I gave it a chance. Is it revolutionary? No. Is it deeply thought provoking? No. But it IS highly entertaining. I could relate to Benny in so many ways as a gay man who had very similar struggles when coming out. A lot of the plot is classic early 2000s era raunchy comedy, but there's something nostalgic about it. Even though Benny is a very privileged white male, I liked seeing a gay lead protagonist. Also loved Baram and Barone. Great character arcs in a single season. The gratuitous male nudity doesn't hurt either. I hope there are more seasons and really hope this doesn't become another one-and-done show that gets cancelled for the next big idea flop. Overcompensating left me wanting to see what happens next and it's a lighthearted, funny comedy that fills a niche that's been empty for years.

Which of these scenes were not included in Animal House, a 1970s flick about post-50s, early 1960s collegiate life?

Freshmen expectations, beer, fake IDs, beer, partying, beer, blood, beer, cafeteria drama, beer, scoring, beer, fraternity antics, beer, confusion, beer, change in academic plans for lust, beer, etc.

With many "out" people and groups on campus today, the coming out fears expressed relate to a few (while in the time period of Animal House, most were mocked, shunned, or worse).

Which begs the question: who is the intended audience of this series?

I'm not really sure. And what is its redeeming value? Haven't discovered it yet, but I'm only midway through episode 4.