"And Oasis knows exactly how to tap into that nostalgia while making it feel, well, fresh. The show bursts with energy, from Major Hammy's charismatic Will to Mudd's neurotic Carlton. The lip-syncs, the over-the-top physical comedy, and the perfectly timed '90s references make it feel like stepping into a time machine - if that time machine also had a drag queen at the controls."
"It's been 35 years since the show catapulted Will Smith into stardom, not to mention ushering in a legacy of Black people in entertainment since the 90s. Television of this era was very white, and on that part, director Snaxx noted: "It was important to me to not only introduce a new show that was deeply nostalgic for me, but a show that featured Black performers.""
The production recreates early 1990s energy with heightened camp, physical comedy, and precise '90s references centered on the iconic Carlton Dance. Performances include a charismatic Will and a neurotic Carlton, amplified through lip-syncing and drag theatricality. The staging intentionally taps nostalgia while updating tone and edge for contemporary audiences. The director prioritized featuring Black performers to acknowledge the show's cultural significance and representation during a largely white television era. Current conversations about Will Smith's Oscar incident and other aging cultural materials inform an effort to separate past resonance from later controversies.
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