Overcompensating

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.

The Gen Z humor is so over the top that it's not even cringe anymore it's actually funny. The references are so well done. The characters are not one dimensional and I'm seriously invested in everyone's POV. Every character is a little unlikable and I love that because everyone is a villain in someone's story.

I'm really hoping it's not one of those shows that only gets a singular season. The standout performance for me was Holmes(Hailee) the character stole the spotlight in every scene they were a part of. I can't wait to see more of Hailee.

I really think that the whole cast is having a lot of fun on the show and you can really see that.

"Overcompensating" is chaotic, messy, loud-and absolutely brilliant. It's the kind of show that grabs you from the first scene and refuses to let go, barreling forward with a frenetic energy that somehow manages to hold itself together in the most entertaining ways. What could easily have spiraled into incoherence instead feels like a masterclass in controlled chaos.

The writing is sharp, fast-paced, and refreshingly bold. Every episode feels like a dare-testing how far the show can push its characters, plots, and even its own tone without losing the audience. And it works. Just when you think it can't get more absurd, it does, and yet somehow it all still feels intentional. That's a hard trick to pull off, and "Overcompensating " nails it.

The cast deserves serious praise for bringing this madness to life. Each character is over-the-top in the best possible way, and yet they're grounded just enough to make you care. Their performances are full of commitment, balancing humor and heart even in the most outrageous scenarios. No one feels wasted; everyone gets a moment to shine-or explode spectacularly.

There's also a strange kind of emotional undercurrent that sneaks up on you. Beneath all the mayhem, the show is clearly saying something about identity, insecurity, and the bizarre ways we try to prove ourselves to the world. That layer of sincerity, buried under the satire and spectacle, is what truly sets it apart.

At its core, "Overcompensating" feels like a show that knows exactly what it is and leans all the way in. It's self-aware without being smug, chaotic without being confusing, and consistently surprising without feeling cheap. I laughed, I gasped, I questioned my own sanity a few times-but I was never bored.

Here's hoping they continue to make more seasons, because this is the kind of fearless storytelling we need more of. If this is what "too much" looks like, then give me more.

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...

This whole thing is exactly my kind of humor! These are my kind of characters, my kind of style. I absolutely loved all of this so much. OH and the SOUNDTRACK like HELLO?? Banger slay needle drops. There's lots of silly jokes, clever jokes, stupid stuff, and lots of bits, even down to the editing and over the top language at times, and it all works super, super well. It's nonstop laughing and nonstop emotion-cried in episode five 🙏🏼- I also love how classic it feels. Instantly iconic and quotable. It's also not afraid to make messy jokes while coming from a place of care and love. Cannot wait for more!!!