I really didn't think the pilot episode of a comedy show about a mall developer being sucked into a bizarre conspiracy loop would be one of the funniest things I'd watch in 2025, but now I've seen the first episode of HBO Max's "The Chair Company," that's exactly how I feel.
Granted, that's no great surprise; ever since I saw that "I Think You Should Leave" drive-thru sketch and checked out the Tim Robinson Netflix sketch, I've been hooked on his trademark comedic style. I didn't get to tune in at launch — juggling every streaming service sometimes means one show goes on the back burner — but now I've finally found the time to tune in, I'm ready to shout about it.
If you're looking to laugh, and you don't mind if your comedy comes with an added dose of paranoia and/or hostility, then comedy/conspiracy-thriller "The Chair Company" is the show you need right now.
What is 'The Chair Company' about?
"The Chair Company" follows mall development worker William Ronald Trosper (Robinson) as he embarks on a bizarre investigation. After being embarrassed on stage when a chair collapses underneath him during a work presentation, Ron sets out to contact the manufacturers.
What should be a simple task proves to be anything but, and Ron finds himself sucked into a far-reaching and dangerous office furniture conspiracy.
In addition to Robinson, "The Chair Company" also stars Lake Bell, Sophia Lillis, Will Price, Joseph Tudisco and Lou Diamon Phillips.
'The Chair Company' is another hilarious Tim Robinson hit
"The Chair Company" is absolutely leveraging Robinson's oddball comedic persona for its laughs, but that's no bad thing: his distinctly chaotic, hostile vibe feels (so far) every bit as entertaining as it was in the cult Netflix fave.
What's really pulled me in is the added layer of the conspiracy thriller hook. Watching Ron unravel over taking a tumble (or any of his other strange exchanges, for that matter) had me in stitches, sure, but I'm also really keen to see where the show takes itself next.
Even in that first half-hour, things are already very odd, and there are hints of something more sinister at play. Plus, judging by the "weeks ahead" trailer for "The Chair Company," this oddball comedy caper is only going to spiral out even further. If you have an appetite for weird comedy, you're going to want to bump "The Chair Company" to the top of your watchlist.
You don't just have to trust my word, either: "The Chair Company" has debuted to rave reviews from critics, too. At the time of writing, the new series holds a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, from a total of 35 accredited reviews, and the site's consensus reads: "Tim Robinson's volcanic comedic ethos finds an ideal outlet in 'The Chair Company,' a descent into a paranoia that finds huge laughs in deeply uncomfortable places."
Reviewing for THR, Angie Han summed the series up as "uncomfortably, unsettling and very funny," writing: "As with the rest of Robinson's oeuvre, it's a purposely uncomfortable experience, as likely to make you squirm as laugh. But those already turned onto his brand of weirdness are in for a bracing ride."
Likewise, Variety's Alison Herman wrote: "It's unlikely to win Robinson any new converts — but those already on board will be more than happy enough to make up for it."
Finally, The Daily Beast's Nick Schager branded the show "the ultimate Tim Robinson vehicle," adding: "the end result is more of the same inspired lunacy that's made its headliner a cult comedy hero."
If you're already on board with HBO's madcap new show, you can look forward to watching new episodes of "The Chair Company" Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max, through to the series finale on November 30.
And if I've failed to convince you to give "The Chair Company" a chance, you should still take a look at our roundup of the best HBO Max shows for tons more top streaming recommendations.
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