Tim Robinson often plays characters who share some common traits – they tend to react dramatically, are usually anxious and a little strange, and desperately want to be seen as funny. However, these characters aren’t all the same. For example, his character Tim Cramblin from *Detroiters* is generally good-natured and chaotic, while the characters on his sketch show, *I Think You Should Leave*, are much more eccentric. His role as Craig Waterman in the 2024 film *Friendship* showed a different side of this type of character, portraying him as even more troubled and pitiful.
Following his well-received character work in *Friendship*, Robinson’s new HBO comedy, *The Chair Company*, feels like a natural progression. The show centers on Ron Trosper, a dedicated husband and father who strives to appear capable both at work and at home. Initially, Ron seems genuinely successful in this effort, enjoying respect from his colleagues and the unwavering support of his wife, Barb (Lake Bell), and children, Natalie (Sophia Lillis) and Seth (Will Price). He’s leading a major mall project in Canton, Ohio, for Fisher Robay, and things are going well. However, at the project’s kickoff event, a seemingly minor incident quickly changes everything. While sitting down, the chair Ron is using collapses, causing him to fall and become publicly humiliated – and this moment sets the entire plot of *The Chair Company* in motion.
Many viewers will likely compare this show to *Friendship*, especially since Andrew DeYoung directed the first episode and Keegan DeWitt composed the music again. It’s also the third series created by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, who previously worked together on *Detroiters* and *I Think You Should Leave*. All of their projects share a similar comedic style – they clearly understand what audiences expect from a Tim Robinson show. For example, the argument between Ron and a server early in the first episode perfectly illustrates this. A nice family dinner quickly becomes awkward when Ron gets offended that the server claims she hasn’t been to a mall since she was a teenager. This is typical of Ron – he’s also annoyed by his bubbly coworker Douglas, because Douglas’s cheerful attitude clashes with Ron’s belief that life isn’t always fun and games.
Ron, like many people, struggles with wanting to belong but also worries about being the center of attention. After the incident with the chair, he tries to lighten the mood at work by joking about himself, but feels awkward when his colleagues laugh a little *too* much. This leads him to obsessively investigate the chair company, hoping to take some kind of action.
The story shifts into a strange and suspenseful thriller, and this feeling is likely to continue. When Ron tries to contact Tecca about an issue, he’s repeatedly directed to National Business Solutions, who won’t connect him with the actual manufacturer. Messaging customer service and emailing support are equally fruitless. “What the heck is going on!” Ron exclaims, clearly frustrated and bewildered.
The first episode mainly focuses on Ron starting his investigation into Tecca, and it’s already clear the show has specific priorities. We don’t see much of Ron’s family – his wife and kids feel like simple, idealized versions of a typical loving family. We learn his son is looking at colleges and he’s adding to a slideshow for his daughter’s rehearsal dinner, but that’s pretty much it. The episode seems more interested in unusual storylines than in developing the characters in a traditional way, and I find that refreshing.
The story features a funny janitor who repeatedly insists his wheelbarrow stays indoors, only to be seen outside with it. There’s also Ron’s colleague, Amanda, who realizes Ron didn’t *mean* to peek up her skirt when he fell, but still feels obligated to report the incident to HR. Things at work are generally falling apart, made worse by the irritating Douglas blowing bubbles and disrupting Doris while Ron tries to film her bad hip and the potential danger of her chair. Ron was told a lawyer from Tecca Legal would reach out if there was evidence of a safety hazard.
The first episode takes a dark turn near the end, starting when Ron visits the abandoned Tecca building in Newark, Ohio. He discovers strange nude photos in a printer and a bizarre, oversized red ball. Then, after a bad deviled egg causes a frantic dash to the bathroom, he hears footsteps and a chilling scream. The atmosphere feels reminiscent of the movie *Beau Is Afraid*. He’s forced to escape so quickly he doesn’t even have time to finish in the bathroom.
Ron learned at work that there was a problem at the Canton development site last night. Teenagers were drinking alcohol there, and one of them became seriously ill. Adding to the issue, a teacher was also present and wasn’t wearing a shirt.
The situation is strange and not fully understood, but it’s enough to refocus Ron on his work, temporarily putting Tecca on the back burner. As he leaves for the night, a man quickly follows him into the parking lot and warns him to stop investigating the chair company. The man then briefly attacks Ron with a baton before leaving. However, the encounter doesn’t end there. Once Ron recovers, he surprisingly chases after his attacker, turning the tables. Interestingly, Ron doesn’t bother picking up the dropped baton for self-defense, and he stops pursuing the man once the attacker escapes his grasp by discarding his unbuttoned shirt. He simply gives up the chase.
It’s too early to say where this show is going, and it actually feels a lot like Nathan Fielder’s *The Curse* in its weirdness. So far, *The Chair Company* is exactly as funny, strange, and captivating as I’d hoped – it’s unlike anything Tim Robinson has done before, but still feels distinctly like his work. Honestly, I have no idea what’s happening, and it’s a little unsettling.
Company Secrets
• “Why the hell are they trying to take that damn thing? They fucking love taking that thing.”
• “I guess I shouldn’t have had that last Cheez-It this morning.”
The episode featured three particularly hilarious physical comedy bits: Ron awkwardly flailing while stuck under his desk, the exaggerated noises he made while cooking, and Douglas using printer paper to wipe bubbles off Doris’s hair.
Okay, so there’s this fantastic little moment – and I mean *really* good – where Ron’s distracted on the phone, glancing over at Doris. You can faintly hear her exclaim, and it’s brilliantly raw – she shouts something about someone giving her a paper that’s too rough. It’s a small detail, but it adds so much to the scene’s tension and realism. Honestly, it’s a masterclass in subtle sound design.
• “I just think HR should know that you saw up my skirt. On my birthday.”
Ron left a thoughtful comment on Jim Croce’s “I Got a Name” video, reflecting on the feeling of not achieving your life goals. It makes you wonder how that personal struggle will connect to his involvement with Tecca Mania.
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2025-10-13 05:55