Overcompensating Season 2: More Unhinged, Insane, and Nostalgic College Chaos

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⚠️ Caution: This write-up contains plot revelations for the series “Overcompensating,” currently available on Amazon Prime Video.

Be aware: The following text discloses details from the show “Overcompensating” which is accessible on Amazon Prime Video.

In my critique of the groundbreaking series “Overcompensating,” it’s clear that Benito Skinner aimed to capture the essence of my cherished films from yesteryears. From the witty humor reminiscent of “Freaks and Geeks” and “Clueless,” to the raunchy comedy akin to “American Pie,” and even the raw, unscripted drama that echoes “The Real World,” Skinner’s debut work is a nostalgic homage to my childhood favorites. And let’s not forget the biting satire of high school life a la “Mean Girls.” It’s like diving into a time machine filled with all my favorite shows!

Skinner explains to EbMaster that several elements contributed to building the nostalgic American college experience depicted in the eight-episode series, which focuses on Benny (Skinner), a character based partly on Skinner’s own life experiences as a former high school athlete who grapples with his sexual identity while attending university. The title “Overcompensating” reflects some personal autobiographical elements in the storyline.

According to Skinner, the inspiration for the series was undeniably his own life, with it tracing back to a live show in 2019. He shares stories from his personal journey of coming out of the closet and the struggles he faced, as well as his efforts to be loved and accepted.

Alongside Skinner, we have Wally Baram taking on the role of his trusted friend Carmen, while Mary Beth Barone portrays Grace – a character who transitions from emo to preppy, and Adam DiMarco appears as Grace’s boyfriend Peter, a fraternity brother. Despite tackling some weighty themes in “Overcompensating”, the show is brimming with humor, sexual content, parties, and love dramas, all culminating in an exhilarating cliffhanger.

In the following discussion, Skinner, Baram, Barone, and DiMarco share insights about their experiences on set, cherished moments from production, and expectations for Season 2.

How did you get involved with “Overcompensating”?

Initially, I joined the series as a writer. Upon learning that it explored themes resonating with my stand-up comedy and personal writing, I found a striking resemblance between one character and myself – a girl from New Jersey with curly hair who is socially eager yet insecure about love, expressing her feelings through romantic advances that often involve physical intimacy. After meeting Benito, I felt I could share numerous stories detailing my connection to this character.

Barone: Benny and I first crossed paths during one of his live performances, where he had me as his opening act. The energy was electrifying, leaving me in awe. Later on, he shared with me that he was developing a pilot centered around being closeted in college, and Grace had always been a character in the story. He expressed early on his strong desire for me to portray his sister. I initially thought there might come a time when it wouldn’t be feasible, perhaps due to casting requirements from Amazon, but Benny persistently advocated for my inclusion in the series. Furthermore, I was part of the writing team, which allowed me to grow fond of Grace and all the other intricate characters.

DiMarco: I’ve landed an audition, and it turned out that the role of Peter was particularly considered for me. Despite my initial hesitation due to not having much experience playing such a character, I found the script hilarious and really wanted to give it a shot. This led to some self-doubt struggles. There was even a point where I broke down in tears while rehearsing with a friend over FaceTime, expressing my doubts about my ability to pull it off. However, I pushed through those feelings. During the audition, I performed a rap of Big Sean and Drake’s “All Me” for about 90 seconds to two minutes as a way to make Benny uncomfortable. Afterward, he just had to sit there and nod along to the music. The whole experience was quite enjoyable, as I enjoyed finding creative ways to make him feel uneasy. I couldn’t help but cringe during the audition, apologizing profusely every time they called “cut.

What was it like working together on set? Did you stick to the script or was there improv?

Skinner: After being so familiar with the script, I decided to let go of expectations and simply adapt as needed when on set. I chose a cast that I admire and trust, wanting to observe them breathe life into these characters. It’s almost like saying, “Here’s a rough draft; now, let’s see how it unfolds in reality.

As a first-time show maker, there’s a great deal of pressure to get it right and avoid any mistakes or deviations from your original vision. However, what struck me about [Benito] was his ability to trust the entire crew to contribute their own creative ideas to the show, and I was grateful for the opportunity he gave me to incorporate my own unique touches, or “Wallyisms”.

Barone: Benny established an exceptional and encouraging atmosphere where, if we had several attempts at the scripted lines, there was always room for improvisation. This freedom made us feel completely at ease in the costumes, scenarios, and characters. As portraying siblings, I believe our long-standing friendship and frequent interactions enabled us to easily slip into any dynamic. At times, we acted like siblings, other times like a gay man and bisexual woman, and occasionally we’d even get quite suggestive without warning. All of this was just part of the overall dynamic.

Benny set up an outstanding and flexible setting where, if needed, multiple takes could be done while still allowing for improvisation. This flexibility made us all feel completely comfortable in our roles, costumes, and situations. As we played siblings, our long-standing friendship allowed us to easily adapt to any dynamic. Sometimes we acted like typical siblings, other times as a gay man and bisexual woman, and occasionally we’d even get quite flirtatious without warning. All of this was just part of the overall performance style.

Is there a particularly funny scene or memory from set that stands out?

In Episode 4 of the Charli XCX concert, the bathroom scene had me laughing harder than any other moment in my life. Our talented production designer, Shayne Fox, constructed a makeshift bathroom beneath the auditorium where we were filming. She intentionally made it look filthy, reminiscent of a college dormitory. Wally was stationed next to me, and I could hear our showrunner, Scott King, chuckling loudly while watching monitors from his position. This cackle of his was the loudest and most infectious I’ve ever heard from him.

Baram: That cackle is one of my greatest achievements. It’s in my heart, it’s in my head.

Barone: We not only filmed on a college campus and inside fraternity houses, but most of us resided in the same building, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of dorm life. Despite the fact that we didn’t party much during the shoot due to our need to film fake parties, I took it upon myself to be the social coordinator, initiating group chats and shared photo albums. I even hosted a college-themed party at my small apartment, complete with red solo cups, drinking games, and general revelry. This allowed us to feel more settled and comfortable together. Building this camaraderie was crucial, especially during scenes involving intimacy, vulnerability, or tears, as developing such a dynamic significantly enhances our performances.

Upon reaching the scene for the audition, I expected to perform the Big Sean “All Me” verse as per my plan. However, Benny and Scott suggested they might not have the budget for that song, so I was asked to freestyle instead. I hesitated, saying I wasn’t confident about it, but agreed to quickly write something. Additionally, there was a version of me rapping “The Motto” by Drake. We ended up with three versions in total. The hastily written rap I came up with just before the scene started, in a rush, ended up being the one used in the show, despite my feeling far from being as skilled as Eminem at that moment, struggling even to come up with rhymes while in the makeup tent.

The finale is certainly a cliffhanger. What are your hopes for your characters if you get a Season 2?

Skinner: I truly hope we proceed with this. I’m all set and raring to go. I have a good idea of what I intend to do and there’s so much more we yearn to express. There will be setbacks, and that’s what the finale is about. This journey of self-discovery and overcompensation, it’s like a rollercoaster, and at times college can seem incredibly self-centered, with everyone for themselves. It can feel like a free-for-all with drugs, alcohol, emotions, and we wanted to stay true to that, and we aim to continue in this vein.

Barone: Benny has given me a glimpse of what he envisions for the characters if we’re fortunate enough to have a Season 2. Grace, I believe, will delve deeper into her leadership role and resist conforming to others’ expectations. I hope that Benny and Grace can eventually be open and honest about themselves, their feelings towards each other, and how their parents influence those feelings. I think they could cultivate a truly beautiful friendship that could flourish in adulthood. However, it’s crucial for Grace to comprehend why Benny is so invested in being the golden boy and why his parents’ validation means so much to him, as he’s hiding a significant aspect of his identity. Thus, by exposing this secret, they can foster genuine growth in their relationship. A moment of understanding and honesty could be transformative for them, as when someone cannot reveal themselves fully, there’s little true connection.

As a cinephile, I’ve had a sneak peek into Benny’s masterplan for Season 2 if we’re fortunate enough to have one. Let me tell you, it’s mind-blowing, absolutely brilliant! Alas, my lips are sealed for now. All I can say is that it promises to be even more unhinged and crazier than this season.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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2025-05-18 18:49