Tim Robinson is screaming again. But this time, it isn't because someone wore a hot dog suit into a clothing store or because a baby thinks he’s a piece of garbage. In his new HBO series, The Chair Company, the screaming feels... different. It’s heavier. It's the sound of a man who is absolutely certain the entire world is gaslighting him, and honestly, he might be right.
If you came here looking for another sketch show, you’re going to be surprised. This isn't I Think You Should Leave Season 4. It’s something much weirder.
What is The Chair Company about?
The premise is deceptively simple, which is usually how Robinson and his long-time creative partner Zach Kanin trap you. Robinson plays William Ronald Trosper—call him Ron—a middle-aged project manager who is basically living the suburban dream. He’s got the wife (played by a fantastic Lake Bell), the kids, and a decent job. Then, the "incident" happens.
HBO has been weirdly protective about the specifics of the incident in their press notes, but the gist is this: a chair fails. It’s a minor, embarrassing workplace mishap. For most people, it’s a story you tell over a beer. For Ron Trosper, it is the thread that, when pulled, unravels the fabric of reality.
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He becomes convinced that the faulty chair wasn't an accident. It was a plant. A targeted strike. Soon, he’s teamed up with a restaurant security guard (Joseph Tudisco) to investigate a "far-reaching conspiracy" involving the furniture manufacturer.
It’s funny. Obviously. But it’s also genuinely tense.
The "Lynchian" Pivot
Most people expect Robinson to play characters who are confidently wrong. In The Chair Company, he’s playing someone who is desperately trying to be right. Critics have already started calling the show "Lynchian," and for once, that isn't just a buzzword. There is a sense of quiet, humming dread beneath the suburban veneer.
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The show moves away from the rapid-fire "hit-and-run" style of his Netflix sketches. Instead, we get eight episodes of slow-burn paranoia.
Who else is in the cast?
- Lake Bell as Barb Trosper: She brings a much-needed groundedness to the family dynamic, even as Ron starts losing his grip.
- Sophia Lillis and Will Price: They play Ron’s kids, Natalie and Seth. They represent the "normal" life Ron is slowly torching in his quest for the truth.
- Lou Diamond Phillips: He shows up as Jeff Levjman, adding some serious gravitas to the recurring cast.
- Jim Downey: Look out for him as a "peppy" co-worker who fills the office with soap bubbles to "keep spirits up." It is as surreal as it sounds.
Why it feels different from Detroiters or ITYSL
If Detroiters was about the warmth of friendship and I Think You Should Leave was about the horror of social rejection, The Chair Company is about the isolation of the digital age. Ron’s obsession with "sending emails" to customer service and getting bounced back is a feeling everyone knows. That specific brand of modern helplessness.
The production value is also a massive step up. Working with Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries, the show looks like a prestige drama. It has the cinematic weight of Succession but with a protagonist who might start weeping because a polyfill-stuffed sack "victimized" him.
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Where to watch and what to expect
The first season premiered late in 2025 on HBO and Max. If you’re just catching up now in early 2026, you’re in luck because the word is already out: Season 2 is happening.
Don't go in expecting a "meme-of-the-week" factory. While there are certainly lines people will be quoting for years—the "5 Rons" bit is already legendary—the show demands you actually pay attention to the plot. It’s a mystery. You’ll find yourself actually wanting to know if there is a conspiracy or if Ron is just having a very expensive, very public breakdown.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Pilot First: Unlike sketch comedy, you cannot skip around. The "chair incident" in episode one is the foundation for everything that follows.
- Check out "Friendship": If you like the vibe of this show, find the A24 movie Friendship. It stars Robinson and was directed by Andrew DeYoung, who also directed the pilot of The Chair Company. It’s a great primer for this specific "darker" version of Tim.
- Monitor the HBO Schedule: With Season 2 confirmed, keep an eye on production updates. Given the complexity of the narrative, the turnaround might be longer than his previous projects.