Overcompensating Is the Chaotic, Queer College Comedy We Deserve

If you’ve been browsing through Prime Video recently and stumbled upon a wild, pastel-colored college comedy called Overcompensating, then you’ve already encountered Benito Skinner, whether you realized it or not.

The actor, comedian, and internet sensation best known as Benny Drama just made his big TV debut with his new series, and it’s got everything: chaotic freshman vibe, hilarious characters, emotional sucker punches, and appearances by Charli XCX.

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Overcompensating, which premiered on May 15, is an eight-episode college comedy that feels like a mix of Booksmart, Euphoria, and your most outrageous college memory. It follows Benny, a closeted former high school football star and valedictorian from Idaho, as he dives into the wild, chaotic life at Yates University.

His goal is to blend in by pretending to have it all together. Benny tries to channel his sister’s athletic, popular boyfriend Peter (total jock vibes), but he quickly tumbles into friendship, chaos, and loads of self-discovery with Carmen, a fellow freshman misfit from New Jersey.

Created by Skinner himself, the show is a semi-autobiographical take on his own experience of concealing parts of himself to fit into a world that felt like it wasn’t for him. The writing is sharp, quick-witted, and hilarious, and the cast, including Connie Britton, Wally Baram, Mary Beth Barone, Adam DiMarco, Rish Shah, and special guests like Kaia Gerber and Owen Thiele, is dynamic and vibrant.

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Skinner, who grew up in Boise, Idaho, with Mexican roots on his mom’s side, first gained online fame with celebrity impressions and original characters like Jenni the Hairdresser, along with spot-on takes on pop culture quirks. He attended Georgetown, where he studied acting and began performing under the handle @BennyDrama7 (yes, the “7” is a shoutout to his football jersey number). His sketches were boisterous, clever, queer, and unapologetically hilarious, and his style really blew up during the pandemic.

Now, he’s channeled that voice to create a whole universe around it. Overcompensating isn’t just your wild college comedy. It perfectly captures what it’s like to be closeted, bewildered, and trying so hard to fit in. Benny gets caught up in frat parties, fake IDs, synchronized puking (seriously), and secret societies, all while hiding his true identity. And yet, amidst all the chaos, the show still keeps its heart.

Directed by Desiree Akhavan and featuring music by executive producer Charli XCX (who makes an epic cameo), the series skillfully balances the absurd with emotional honesty. It’s not trying to be profound, but it still hits you right in the feels.

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If you’re wondering how the man behind it all handles the spotlight, just know that Skinner’s still the same guy who once did The Lizzie McGuire Movie monologue for his classmates. Now, he’s just doing it on a bigger stage, and with way better lighting.

With Overcompensating, Benito Skinner has delivered the comedy of the year: messy, sweet, embarrassing, bold, and, yes, very gay. Just like college. And just like life.