Tim Robinson’s The Chair Company Is Curb Your Enthusiasm for the Conspiracy Dad

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Tim Robinson’s new HBO comedy, *The Chair Company*, premiering October 12th, follows Ron Trosper, a man slowly losing his grip on reality. After a small embarrassment at work, Ron becomes convinced he’s uncovered a massive criminal plot. However, this conspiracy quickly reveals itself to be about everyday frustrations. As Ron investigates, he finds himself stuck in endless customer service loops, leading to outbursts like, “Nobody is ever available! That’s what’s wrong with the world – companies make terrible products and you can’t even get someone to talk to, let alone get an apology! It makes you want to scream!”

Fans of Tim Robinson’s comedy will instantly recognize this character. Like his roles in the Netflix show *I Think You Should Leave* and the film *Friendship*, he plays a man who gets ridiculously, uncontrollably angry without really knowing why. He’s similar to Larry David’s character in *Curb Your Enthusiasm* – a bit of a narcissist who finds relatable things to complain about, but reacts to them in a wildly over-the-top way. Robinson excels at portraying this explosive combination of awkwardness and rage, and places this character in absurd situations that are funny because they feel surprisingly relevant to modern frustrations. Even though the show’s plot can feel a bit disjointed, the character is entertaining enough to keep you watching.

Ron is a pretty ordinary guy, but he’s also deeply insecure. He feels lost at home, constantly compared to his successful wife and son, and preoccupied with his daughter’s unusual wedding plans – she wants to get married in a supposedly haunted barn. After his business failed, he went back to a demanding job, and even a small problem at work quickly spirals out of control. His search for answers sometimes leads him into classic thriller territory – secret meetings and intimidation – but other times, he’s just someone obsessively complaining online, writing lengthy messages to customer service and arguing with automated chatbots.

While Robinson excels at short-form comedy, his style doesn’t quite translate to longer stories. The film *Friendship*, directed and written by Andrew DeYoung, features Robinson as a solitary man who develops a complicated relationship with his neighbor (Paul Rudd). It has some strong scenes, but the story becomes predictable halfway through. In the six episodes of *Chair Company* that I watched (of eight total), Robinson and co-creator Zach Kanin don’t necessarily make the conspiracy thriller *funny*; instead, they use the genre’s conventions to link together already humorous characters and situations.

Robinson excels at capturing the negativity and awkwardness of modern society, using bizarre and memorable characters to do so. His show *Friendship* cleverly reflects the issue of loneliness among men. However, his talent truly shines in the short, sharp sketches of *I Think You Should Leave*. Characters like the man endlessly making inappropriate jokes on a ghost tour or the hot dog-costumed figure denying responsibility for a bizarre accident perfectly embody the anger, dishonesty, childishness, and refusal to take responsibility that often characterize influential men today – all without directly tackling political issues.

The main character in *The Chair Company* is a man struggling with powerlessness. His genuine efforts consistently lead to awkwardness, and his attempts to find someone to blame only worsen his situation. While Ron’s fight against questionable business practices isn’t particularly thrilling, viewers will likely connect with his story – whether they see him as an relatable, everyday person like Larry David or as a modern David battling a corporate giant.

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2025-10-09 20:06