I’m going to be honest: since Scrubs ended in 2009, with one of the best finales in television history, no comedy has seemed as strange and free to me. In that hospital, everything fit: musical episodes, references to Batman and Robin, love among colleagues… Its quick cuts, almost adapted from Family Guy, showcasing all kinds of craziness, became a hallmark that very few have dared to borrow (at least, not with as much wit). Until Impostura arrived.
Gay, bro?
It was a coincidence that in the same year, 2022, two fantastic (and very different) series about the experience of being homosexual in college premiered. On one hand, Heartstopper on Netflix, a carefully crafted rom-com with touches of drama. Very inclusive, very cute, a little cheesy, and it has caused a sensation all over the world. At the same time, on British Channel 4, Big Boys premiered, also starring a gay boy who goes to college and experiences his first relationships, but with a definitely more rebellious, crude, and funny tone. The English series concluded this year, and the American one will wrap up with a movie that serves as an ending.
And, of course, many people have felt desolate and without a series to turn to, until Impostura came into their lives. With just 8 episodes, the series, which combines politically incorrect humor with cuts in the style of Scrubs, has become known worldwide in a very short time. It’s no wonder: it’s as funny as it is surprisingly original, knowing how to find the edges and the untold aspects in a very familiar plot.
Not for nothing, among its executive producers are names like Jonah Hill and Charli XCX, the first scripted series in which she takes on the work behind the scenes and that could start to shape a professional future beyond albums and large concerts. Want more? Well, you should know that the studio behind it is A24, synonymous with good cinema and prestigious series, which in the past has already done things like Bronca or Everything Everywhere All at Once. If with all this you are not rushing to see Impostura, you should.
How to go on Erasmus
The protagonist of Impostura is Benito Skinner. His name may not ring a bell, but at 31 years old, he has had time to become a social media star and tell his story, precisely, in this series. Because yes, in addition to being the protagonist, he is the creator and screenwriter of all the episodes except one. This closeness makes it feel real, authentic, tangible, reminiscent of other series with strong creators like Fleabag or Girls. Those became myths of television, and it doesn’t seem like Impostura is going to settle for less.
Will there be a season 2? It is not confirmed, but given the buzz from critics (it has a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes) and that it is already starting to sound like an award winner throughout this year, it is most likely that Amazon has already handed a bundle of cash to its creator to move forward. After all, it is cheap to make, it has become a critical and public success, and it also fulfills its quota of stories created by new talent that has something to say. It would be strange not to want to continue with it!
The only problem with this series -which is fabulous, by the way- is that you might miss it in the whirlwind of continuous releases that streaming services use to feed the algorithm. Fortunately, amidst clones of Stranger Things and desperate attempts to grab your attention, as if you were a baby focused on some jingling keys, there are genuine attempts to create auteur series. If you value your time, you should watch Impostura. You’ll thank me later.