The Chair Company (HBO Max)

By: Dave Hughes

Tim Robinson (I Think You Should Leave, Friendship) has built a career out of making audiences squirm. His unique brand of awkward comedy is an acquired taste. For those who connect with it, Robinson is one of the sharpest and most original minds in comedy today. For those who don’t, his shows can feel like a chaotic chore to endure. The Chair Company is the latest HBO show from the team behind Netflix’s I Think You Should Leave, and once again, Robinson leans into the awkward, the absurd, and the uncomfortable with plenty of shouting to go around. 

The Chair Company follows Ron Trosper, an executive in the middle of building a local mall who suffers an embarrassing incident at work and soon finds himself caught in a bizarre conspiracy while trying to seek justice for his humiliation. It’s a humorous setup with all the makings of a sketch from one of Robinson’s earlier shows. In typical Robinson fashion, both the uncomfortable moments and the yelling escalate far beyond what most viewers expect. The result is a show that feels deliberately chaotic and yet memorable for its originality and willingness to commit to the bizarre

Robinson has built his career on embracing absurdity while dangling in commentary on relatable modern concerns.. In The Chair Company, he turns his focus to the dangers of conspiracy thinking, particularly among men seeking control after humiliation. When Trosper’s life unravels, he becomes consumed by the idea that his embarrassment is part of a vast corporate plot. Robinson plays the role with manic precision, walking a line between comedy and teetering on a breakdown. As Trosper spirals, his obsession costs him his sanity, his credibility, his money and even the trust of his family. This spiral creates a portrayal that is both ridiculous and painfully recognizable for many modern men.  

The Chair Company brings the same offbeat awkward comedic style that Robinson perfected in I Think You Should Leave. The familiar awkward pauses, exaggerated reactions, and bursts of yelling are all here, stretched across a full season which differ from his previous sketch comedy approaches on Saturday Night Live and I Think You Should Leave. Expanding a sketch show into a serialized story gives Robinson room to build punchlines gradually and create long-running jokes that feel both strange and well-developed.  Following his feature film Friendship with Paul Rudd, Robinson proves again that his brand of offbeat humor can adapt across formats. The humor will not appeal to everyone, but for fans of Robinson’s comedy, The Chair Company hits exactly where it should. 

Robinson is joined by a familiar group of collaborators, but new addition Lake Bell (In a World.., Harley Quinn) brings a fresh energy as Trosper’s wife, Barb. Bell serves as the voice of reason amid Ron’s downward descent, offering moments of weary sincerity. Sophia Lillis (IT Chapter One, Dungeons & Dragons) plays their daughter, Natalie, who feels a strong connection with her father even as she recognizes his unraveling. Both actresses add emotional impact to the madness, creating moments of genuine connection. Robinson co-writes the series with Zach Kanin (I Think You Should Leave), giving the show the familiar rhythm and tone fans will instantly recognize.

Target Score 7.5/10: The Chair Company is a worthy addition to Robinson’s growing collection of offbeat, uncomfortable comedy. It won’t connect with everyone, but for those who appreciate his brand of absurdity, it’s another clever and chaotic triumph that proves there’s still no one quite like Tim Robinson.