I think I might be the only one who doesn’t like this new comedy series on Amazon Prime. I just couldn’t get into it.
I like the premise of the show I really do but I just think it didn’t have much depth, and it almost felt like watching raw footage of someone’s first year at college rather than a fully fleshed-out series. The tone reminded me of a film student project that somehow got greenlit. Maybe that’s intentional, and maybe that’s part of the charm for some viewers, but for me, it just didn’t land.
The story follows Benny Scanlon, a high school football star and homecoming king who is adored by his family and friends. But Benny is hiding a big secret: he’s gay, and he’s not ready to admit it not even to himself. Heading off to Yates University, Benny tries to hold on to this exaggerated, hyper-masculine persona while navigating parties, frat pressure, and the messiness of his first year away from home. On paper, it should have been both funny and heartfelt.
To the show’s credit, there are moments that shine. Benny’s friendship with Carmen is one of them. She’s chaotic, sarcastic, but also deeply human. Still grieving the loss of her older brother, Carmen gives the show some much-needed emotional weight, and I genuinely enjoyed her scenes. Her roommate Hailee is unapologetically herself loud, sexual, and shameless. At first, I found her energy refreshing, but after a while, her over-the-top antics started to wear thin. That said, I’ll admit she’s fiercely loyal to her friends, and that counts for something.
Other characters, like Benny’s older sister Grace and her jock boyfriend Peter, add to the absurdity. Their involvement in secret societies and frat-boy traditions often pushed the humor into surreal territory, which some critics loved, but I personally found a bit much. The satire is intentional, though, and I can see how others might find it hilarious.
What surprised me was how often the show leaned into nostalgic Y2K and early 2010s references things like flavored vodka, cringe-inducing pop songs, and Grindr gags. It’s self-aware, yes, but it also felt a little exhausting. The slapstick comedy didn’t click with me, though there were the occasional sharp one-liners that made me laugh.
To be fair, the show does attempt to explore important themes identity, toxic masculinity, friendship, and the awkward road to self-acceptance. The LGBTQ+ representation is front and centre, which is refreshing compared to a lot of other teen or college shows. Maybe that’s why I feel conflicted: I wanted to love it, I really did, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was trying too hard to be quirky without giving enough substance underneath.
In the end, I kept comparing it to shows like Grown-ish or even One Tree Hill. Those series, while not perfect, offered stronger emotional arcs and character development. Overcompensating has its moments, but overall it felt like a missed opportunity for me. Maybe others will click with its satirical, over-the-top vibe, and I’m glad if they do—but for me, it just wasn’t it.