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Critics applaud new Prime Video comedy series with an outstanding 92% Rotten Tomatoes score – as they warn ‘binge responsibly’

Critics applaud new Prime Video comedy series with an outstanding 92% Rotten Tomatoes score – as they warn ‘binge responsibly’

Comedy fans are addicted to a new Prime Video series with an outstanding 92 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score – as they warn ‘binge responsibly’. 

Overcompensating, which only dropped on the platform on Friday, is an eight-part American series following a closeted football player and frat boy as he starts university. 

As he wrestles with his idenтιтy and Sєxuality, he develops a friendship with fellow freshman Carmen, who is facing her own challenges – a long-time wallflower, she is resolved to gain more confidence while at college.  

Created by TikTok sensation and comedian Benito Skinner, who also takes the lead role, the programme follows the pair as they gain the confidence to be themselves.

Alongside newcomer Wally Baram as Carmen, it boasts a stellar cast with Adam DiMarco (Albie on The White Lotus series two), alongside Black Mirror actress Mary Beth Barone, Ms Marvel actor Rish Shah. 

Fans and critics alike are already loving the programme, co-produced by Amazon and A24, with appearances from singer Charli XCX, actor James Van Der Beek and SNL star Bowen Yang – and they warn it is dangerously addictive, SurreyLive reports. 

Overcompensating, which dropped on the platform Friday, is an eight-part American series following a closeted football player and frat boy named Benny (pictured) as he starts university

Overcompensating, which dropped on the platform Friday, is an eight-part American series following a closeted football player and frat boy named Benny (pictured) as he starts university

As he wrestles with his idenтιтy and Sєxuality, he develops a friendship with fellow freshman Carmen (played by Wally Baram), who is facing her own challenges

As he wrestles with his idenтιтy and Sєxuality, he develops a friendship with fellow freshman Carmen (played by Wally Baram), who is facing her own challenges

Created by TikTok sensation and comedian Benito Skinner, who also takes the lead role, the programme follows the pair as they gain the confidence to be themselves

Created by TikTok sensation and comedian Benito Skinner, who also takes the lead role, the programme follows the pair as they gain the confidence to be themselves

Online publication Leisure Byte dubbed it ‘fun, extremely loud [and] thoroughly relatable’. 

Meanwhile, entertainment blog TV and City praised its fresh take on the coming-of-age tale: ‘In a landscape crowded with college comedies, Overcompensating manages to carve out its niche by being unapologetically bold, refreshingly honest, and consistently funny. 

‘It’s a testament to Skinner’s talent that the series feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. 

‘For those seeking a comedy that delivers both laughs and heart, this is one to check out.’ 

Review site Gazettely said: ‘Viewers seeking a fresh take on coming-of-age tales, especially those highlighting queer discovery, will find its ensemble dynamics rewarding.’ 

But there was only one snag, in the reviewer’s eyes – that the cast are all considerably older than university age: ‘Binge responsibly: the cast’s decade-older appearance may momentarily jar, but strong performances quickly eclipse that detail.’ 

Creator Benito, 31, has previously said the protagonist is modelled on his own experience as an 18-year-old. 

But he added he worked with an acting coach to try to perfect the mannerisms of the adolescent character. 

Fans and critics alike are already loving the programme, which has a 92 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score

Fans and critics alike are already loving the programme, which has a 92 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score

Fans took to X to express their praise for the new comedy series

Fans took to X to express their praise for the new comedy series

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One fan said on X: ‘I just binged Overcompensating on Prime Video, a wild mix of cringe, charm and chaos that somehow works! 

‘Also, shoutout to Adam DiMarco for making a killer comeback. College drama has never been this extra (and this much fun)!’ 

Another said: ‘Overcompensating delivers a raunchy and Sєxy college coming-of-age queer comedy from Amazon and A24!’ 

Someone else added: ‘Didn’t expect Overcompensating to eat like this. Came for Charli XCX, stayed for the comedy, chaos and iconic soundtrack. 

‘Feels like a love letter to her pop eras wrapped in queer college drama. Funny, real, well-written. I need season two like now.’ 

British singer Charli XCX makes a short cameo in the fourth episode of the show, playing herself in a concert at the show’s fictional university – with some cracking one-liners. 

She screams, ‘What the f*** am I f***ing doing here?’, before referring to her own 2014 song: ‘Do you think I want to play f***ing Boom Clap in a f***ing college?’

It comes after fans also found themselves hooked on another series on Prime Video in recent times – with an impressive 93 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score, it has been hailed the next American Horror Story. 

It comes after fans also found themselves hooked on another series on Prime Video (pictured) in recent times - with an impressive 93 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score

It comes after fans also found themselves hooked on another series on Prime Video (pictured) in recent times – with an impressive 93 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score

Three of four seasons of anthology programme Channel Zero (pictured), first released between 2016 and 2019, have recently been uploaded to the streamer

Three of four seasons of anthology programme Channel Zero (pictured), first released between 2016 and 2019, have recently been uploaded to the streamer 

Like beloved anthology show American Horror Story, which has run since 2011, each series has a self-contained chilling storyline

Like beloved anthology show American Horror Story, which has run since 2011, each series has a self-contained chilling storyline 

Read More Netflix fans clash over ‘absolutely disgusting and twisted’ comedy series compared to Little Britain article image

Three of four seasons of anthology programme Channel Zero, first released between 2016 and 2019, have recently been uploaded to the streamer.

Like beloved anthology show American Horror Story, which has run since 2011, each series has a self-contained chilling storyline.

The first season, for instance, named Candle Cove, follows a child psychologist (Paul Schneider) and his mother (Fiona Shaw) investigating his brother’s disappearance – mysteriously linked to a creepy children’s TV show they used to watch.

The programme has been popular with critics, with season one boasting a whopping 93 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes – and the second and third instalments rated a perfect 100 per cent.

And fans love it just as much too, taking to Rotten Tomatoes to leave their verdicts – with some even suggesting it rivals cult horror classic American Horror Story.

One said of the first series: ‘Somewhere between American Horror Story and Stranger Things, Channel Zero: Candle Cove provides a meandering plot through the subtle horrors shared by children around the world.

‘Relying on few jump scares or over-the-top special effects, Candle Cove still delivers spine-tingling terror. For who prefer chills to thrills, a must-watch.’

Overcompensating is available to stream on Prime Video.  

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