The Chair Company: Tim Robinson's New HBO Hit Is Breaking Records!

Tim Robinson's latest HBO series, The Chair Company, is a hilarious and unsettling dive into paranoia that's already breaking viewership records and earning universal acclaim. Get ready to squirm and laugh!

TL;DR

• Tim Robinson's The Chair Company just had HBO's biggest comedy premiere in over five years, attracting 1.4 million viewers in its first three days.
• Critics are absolutely loving this unique dark cringe comedy/conspiracy thriller, giving it a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.
• Catch new episodes of Ron Trosper's wild obsession every Sunday at 10 PM ET on HBO and streaming on Max.

What Exactly is "The Chair Company" All About, Anyway?

If you're a fan of Tim Robinson's previous work, like the cult-hit sketch series I Think You Should Leave or the short-lived but beloved Detroiters (both co-created with Zach Kanin), then you know what you're in for: a masterclass in awkward, escalating discomfort. The Chair Company takes that signature style and stretches it across eight half-hour episodes, creating a truly unique comedy-thriller experience on HBO.

The series stars Robinson as William Ronald "Ron" Trosper, a project manager at an architectural firm called Fisher Robay, which specializes in designing malls. Ron's life takes a hilariously dark turn after an incredibly embarrassing incident during an important work presentation. Without giving away HBO's initially requested "state secret" details, let's just say it involves a piece of office furniture and a public mishap that no ordinary person could simply "shake off."

Unable to let go of the humiliation, Ron becomes obsessed with tracking down the manufacturer of the faulty item, Tecca Chairs. What starts as a relatable (if exaggerated) quest for customer service retribution quickly spirals into a full-blown, far-reaching conspiracy. Ron is convinced he's the victim of something much bigger, and he's determined to bring it all to light, even if it means neglecting his job and family.

Breaking Down the Record-Shattering Premiere Numbers for the New HBO Comedy

It seems like Ron Trosper isn't the only one making a big impact! The Chair Company didn't just premiere; it exploded onto the scene. HBO recently announced that the series had their biggest comedy premiere in over five years. We're talking serious numbers here:

• 1.4 million viewers tuned in across HBO's cable channel and HBO Max within the first three days of the premiere.

This massive debut makes The Chair Company HBO's best comedy premiere since Avenue 5, which debuted way back in January 2020. Plus, it's now officially among the top three comedy series premieres in HBO Max history, sitting alongside heavy hitters like And Just Like That and Our Flag Means Death. It’s a huge win for Tim Robinson and the team, proving that his particular brand of humor has a wide and hungry audience.

What Critics Are Universally Praising About Tim Robinson's Latest Masterpiece

Beyond the impressive viewership, The Chair Company is also a massive hit with critics, boasting a rare 100% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes (from 35 reviews and counting!). Reviewers are absolutely raving about the show's originality, Tim Robinson's committed performance, and its masterful balance of dark cringe comedy with an intriguing conspiracy thriller.

Here's what some of them are saying:

"It feels sometimes as if everyone is an alien wearing a skin suit and trying to mimic human behavior, with varying degrees of success. I mean that specifically about the show, but I’d be lying if I said I’d never felt that about myself or the world around me — and therein lies the draw of The Chair Company. The cringing mortifications and unsettling unreality make the series a tough sit. But for those tuned into the peculiar wavelength put out by Robinson and his collaborators, they’re also what make it irresistible."

— Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter

Critics like Chase Hutchinson of The Wrap have called the show "more than a little horrifying" and Robinson's "most bonkers project yet," praising its ability to tap into "deeply disquieting" aspects of modern conspiracies while remaining "sharply funny." Ben Travers of IndieWire rated it a B+, noting how Robinson's character perfectly embodies "how easy it is to get lost when you’re desperate to be seen." Liz Shannon Miller from Consequence gave it a B+, stating that Robinson's unique voice "can sustain a full season of television," delivering his "best performance yet." SlashFilm’s Chris Evangelista rated it an 8/10, highlighting Robinson’s mastery of "turning an uncomfortable topic into something uproarious" and making a "potentially unlikeable man sympathetic."

It’s clear that if you’re already a fan of Robinson’s work, you’re in for a treat. And if you’re new to his world, this critically adored series might just be the perfect entry point.

Getting to Know the Talented Cast Behind This Unhinged Conspiracy Thriller

While Tim Robinson undeniably leads the charge, he's surrounded by a fantastic cast who help bring Ron Trosper's increasingly bizarre world to life. Here's a quick look at some of the key players:

• Tim Robinson as William Ronald "Ron" Trosper: Our protagonist, the middle-aged project manager whose life unravels after a trivial workplace incident.
• Lake Bell as Barb Trosper: Ron's wife, who has to contend with his escalating paranoia.
• Sophia Lillis as Natalie Trosper: Ron's daughter, who is about to get married.
• Will Price as Seth Trosper: Ron's son, a talented athlete fielding college recruitment offers.
• Lou Diamond Phillips as Jeff: Ron's slick CEO.
• Joseph Tudisco as Mike: A henchman involved in the conspiracy.
• Jim Downey: Appears as a peppy co-worker.

The series is co-created by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, with Andrew DeYoung and Aaron Schimberg handling directing duties. Executive producers include Robinson, Kanin, Adam McKay, Todd Schulman, Andrew DeYoung, and Igor Srubshchik, ensuring a consistent vision for this delightfully unhinged show.

Tim Robinson's Signature Comedic Style: An Evolution, Not Just a Distillation

For those familiar with Tim Robinson, his comedic persona is built on a very specific foundation: the refusal to let anything go, ever. He excels at portraying characters who double down on the dumbest possible situations to the point of self-destruction, all to avoid the fleeting discomfort of admitting they might be wrong. This tendency to cling to a perceived slight or embarrassment and blow it into an epic tale of injustice is what makes his work so simultaneously hilarious and cringe-inducing.

The Chair Company takes this core idea and expands it beyond the sketch format of I Think You Should Leave. Like his recent feature film Friendship (which also had Andrew DeYoung directing and stretched a similar punchline to feature length), this series allows Ron Trosper's obsession to grow and fester across multiple episodes, deepening the impact of his increasingly absurd actions. It explores the dark corners of thin-skinned insecurity, turning a mundane annoyance into a terrifying (and funny) battle against a perceived grand conspiracy.

The show's brilliance lies in how it makes you both nervously laugh at Ron and giddily laugh with him, as his befuddled indignation becomes strangely identifiable. It's a funhouse reflection of our own intrusive thoughts, those petty grievances we've all fantasized about exacting elaborate revenge for in the shower. Ron Trosper might be extreme, but his impulses tap into something deeply human, making the series an irresistible, if sometimes uncomfortable, watch.

What's on the Horizon for Ron Trosper and the Future of "The Chair Company"?

With its record-breaking premiere and overwhelmingly positive critical reception, The Chair Company is off to an incredible start. There are seven more episodes to be released after the premiere, extending throughout October and November, promising many more twists and turns in Ron Trosper's paranoid journey. HBO releases new episodes weekly, so there's plenty more of Ron's wild antics to look forward to.

While there's no official word on a second season yet, this kind of buzz and viewership certainly bodes well for a potential renewal. Fans and critics alike are hopeful that Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin will want to continue expanding this bizarre and brilliant world. Given the show’s momentum, it has a real chance to become one of HBO's most prominent original comedy series in quite some time, shifting the perception that the network has been more drama-heavy in recent years.

FAQ: Your Quick Guide to "The Chair Company"

When do new episodes of "The Chair Company" come out?

New episodes of The Chair Company are released every Sunday at 10 PM ET.

Where can I watch "The Chair Company"?

You can watch The Chair Company on HBO's cable channel or stream it on Max (formerly HBO Max).

How many episodes are in "The Chair Company" season 1?

The first season of The Chair Company consists of eight half-hour episodes.

Who created "The Chair Company" on HBO?

The Chair Company was created by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, who previously collaborated on I Think You Should Leave and Detroiters.

Sources

• ScreenRant
• The Hollywood Reporter
• Deadline
• Slate
• Pajiba
• CinemaBlend
• Dread Central
• The Knockturnal
• The Guardian