Benito Skinner Loved Being a Demon for a Day on The Comeback

by

For many comedic actors, working with Lisa Kudrow on The Comeback feels like a huge honor. The show reappears on HBO every ten years or so, giving it a legendary status. The third season is exciting because it brings back familiar faces like Dan Bucatinsky, and introduces some great new cast members. In episode three, Benito Skinner shines as Carter, a stressed-out costume designer who overwhelms Valerie with his intense focus on caftans during the filming of her new sitcom. While on set for his second day shooting season two of Overcompensating, Skinner shared details about the episode and also cleared up a disagreement with Vulture magazine. Pretty cool, right?

That’s really kind of you to say! I was incredibly nervous during this episode because I’m a big fan of the show. I kept thinking, ‘What if I mess up and get criticized online?’ But honestly, it was a fantastic experience overall.

Some people consider The Comeback to be a really important show. Had you seen it before? I actually started watching it because Scott King, the showrunner of Overcompensating, recommended it – he’s friends with Lisa Kudrow. I’ve now watched the first two seasons three times each! It became a kind of guide for me, something I kept referring back to. Lisa Kudrow delivers what I think is one of the best comedic performances ever. So when I heard they were making a third season, I was determined to be a part of it.

When the announcement came that The Comeback was returning for a third season, it seemed like every gay comedian wanted to work with Michael Patrick King. It must have been incredibly competitive – a real free-for-all with so many talented people like Abbi Jacobson and John Early vying for a role. When I found out John was cast, I immediately thought it had been a tough fight for the part. I would have been heartbroken if I hadn’t gotten it, and probably held a serious grudge, so I feel very fortunate to have been chosen.

So, you were understandably frustrated when you started the show. How much input did you have in developing your character? Well, the script initially portrayed someone around 45 years old, which was a welcome change. I was often getting cast as much younger characters, so this felt right.

It’s satisfying to watch them both confidently push back. It seems like queer people and women face a lot more criticism when they set boundaries and say “no.” A straight man can easily decline something and everyone supports him, but if we do, we often end up profusely apologizing and fearing we’ll lose our jobs – which often happens. This scene was interesting because it was a playful challenge to see how assertive I could be with Lisa, and how much she’d try to be accommodating and prove she’s easygoing.

These kinds of disagreements happen all the time. If a costume designer insists on a certain look, an actor who’s hesitant will often strongly resist, becoming defensive and even confrontational. There’s also a clear issue of ageism at play, where this person has a very outdated and negative idea of how a mature woman should appear on screen. I think many gay men instinctively have a sharp comeback prepared, a defense mechanism learned from dealing with negativity themselves. This character, in this moment, just unleashes that response, and while it’s sad, it’s also a bit darkly humorous.

Working with Lisa when she’s playing Valerie is incredible. She’s an exceptionally talented actor – I’ve genuinely learned more from her than from anyone else on set. She immediately puts you at ease and breaks down any nervousness you might have, simply because she’s so skilled and down-to-earth. She makes you feel really welcome, and you can tell how passionate she is about her work. Seeing her become Valerie, delivering lines in character and with such detail, was amazing. I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I’m working with a true master!’ It was a real privilege.

I was reading an interview with Lisa Kudrow, and she hit the nail on the head when talking about why ‘The Comeback’ resonates with so many people. She said a lot of queer viewers connect with the show because it’s about a woman who understands she has to navigate a tricky system – basically, play the game – just to get a foot in the door in Hollywood. It’s heartbreaking to watch her get used and hurt, but ultimately, it’s just a story about someone who really wants to work and be accepted for who she is. And honestly, that’s incredibly relatable and beautifully human, even if you’ve never set foot on a movie set.

I’ve always been fascinated by the vulnerability of putting yourself out there, especially in comedy. It’s something we can all understand – that hope that this time will be different, followed by disappointment. The show’s second season ends beautifully because the character finally realizes that achieving what they thought they wanted isn’t as fulfilling as it seemed, and that other things are actually more valuable. It’s a really human story, and ultimately a little bit bittersweet.

This season really captures the current challenges of making a half-hour comedy. The show’s depiction of considering letting a robot write the jokes feels sadly realistic. It’s well-known that comedies are particularly difficult to get produced, and even harder to keep going beyond the first season. However, the positive response to shows like The Comeback suggests a renewed interest and respect for the genre. It seems like major networks are starting to recognize that people still really want to watch comedies, and we’re seeing a bit of a resurgence as a result.

Oh, so you shot this footage before you started working on the second season of Overcompensating. Right. You and I have some history when it comes to my show, haven’t we?

Huh?You guys are mad about what era it’s in. There was a big article. We have to talk about this.

Oh my God. Okay, let’s air it out! There’s nothing but tension here.

No one has mentioned when my show is set, and I’m deliberately not telling anyone. It’s become a playful challenge where I won’t reveal the year and everyone keeps asking.

Honestly, I was waiting for someone to address this immediately! The tension is absolutely palpable – you can practically feel it radiating off the screen. It’s genuinely wild how much pressure is building.

In Vulture’s review, a key question was raised: when is this supposed to be happening? People noticed details that didn’t quite fit the timeline, like the iOS interfaces. Someone pointed out that the visuals seemed more like 2019, and even referenced Alison Roman. But honestly, I think it’s great and I appreciate the attention to detail.

Were you feeling pressured and attacked, like Valerie Cherish, when Vulture was heavily criticizing you?

Definitely, at the time! I remember thinking Vulture was really upset with me, and it felt strange that they seemed to have an issue with me being gay – it’s often the hardest criticism comes from within your own community. But I do appreciate the challenge, ultimately. I think it’s just really difficult to completely reinvent yourself and leave the past behind, and that’s my only explanation. I won’t offer Vulture any further excuses. I did feel like Valerie in that moment, but we’ve become much more resilient since then.

Oh man, everyone’s been asking about Overcompensating season two! Season one ended with that cliffhanger, right? I was practically begging for a renewal – honestly, I wanted to see people lose it until we got a second season. I really needed to make sure it happened!

Filming has just begun, and I’m really happy with how the scripts turned out. It’s going to be a very emotionally charged and sensual season, and we were given a lot of freedom with the comedy, so I really let loose. Some of the scenes we’re creating are wild! We’re currently shooting an episode set during spring break, and the guest stars are hilarious and unexpected. I can’t share too many details just yet, but I’ve definitely listened to fan feedback and incorporated it into the season, I promise.

One of the best parts of The Comeback is the genuine connection between Valerie and Mickey. Considering your long working relationship with Mary Beth Barone – you’ve collaborated on a podcast and she played your sister on your show – what are your thoughts on that relationship, especially in this episode? When I first read the script, it really moved me. It’s beautiful. In an industry that can often feel lonely and damaging to your confidence, having Mary Beth and Wally on set – and being surrounded by women I admire – creates a sense of safety in what can be a very intimidating environment.

It’s a real gift to see Valerie feeling secure and Mickey being such a steady presence in her life, and I thought this episode perfectly captured that. It also highlights the wonderful family Michael and Lisa have built on the show, even with the gaps between seasons. It’s amazing how welcoming and warm they’ve made it for all the new cast members this season.

Mickey is the established, older stylist, and I’m the new, somewhat villainous costume designer – like his evil counterpart. I was told the character I’d be playing was essentially a frighteningly attractive ‘demon twunk,’ and I was excited about it. After playing a more wholesome character in Overcompensating, it was fun to be a bit of a bad guy for a day while working with Lisa. It was a good change of pace.

It’s something I’ve been wondering about for a while now, and as someone who really appreciates artistry, I keep thinking… does he have a Valerie? I was chatting with Lisa about it, and honestly, I’d never even consider trying to pull it off without a lot of practice first. I used to have friends named Michele and Romy growing up. Actually, Romy and Michele is one of my all-time favorite movies – I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve watched it! I feel like that playful energy is definitely somewhere inside me, waiting to come out. I’m really hoping to tap into that. I think it’ll help me and Vulture get back to the place where we truly shine. It feels like everyone’s been anticipating this! When I told Mary Beth about this interview, the first thing she asked was if I was going to bring it up, and of course I said I needed to check in with my girls and see what they thought first.

Read More

2026-04-09 15:56