Why ‘The Chair Company’ Is Its Most-Watched New Comedy Series in Years

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As a huge comedy fan, I’m really excited about HBO’s new series, *The Chair Company*. It’s this wild mix of conspiracy theories and just plain silly humor, and it’s already a hit for the network! *The Hollywood Reporter* says the first episode brought in 1.4 million viewers, which is the biggest comedy launch HBO’s had since *Avenue 5* back in 2020. That’s fantastic news for Tim Robinson, the show’s star and co-creator. He’s a brilliantly weird comedian, but it hasn’t always been easy – remember when he moved to writing on *Saturday Night Live* after his first season as a performer? It’s great to see his unique style resonating with so many people now.

HBO is hoping to keep up the strong viewership numbers for the remaining seven episodes. The series currently has a perfect 100% rating on *Rotten Tomatoes*, and the first episode, “Life Goes by Too Fking Fast, It Really Does,” showed viewers why it deserves such praise. The episode was full of funny and memorable scenes with Robinson and the cast, and it also laid the groundwork for future plot twists. If people continue to enjoy the show and spread the word, *The Chair Company* has the potential to become one of the year’s biggest comedy hits.

‘The Chair Company’ Gets Surprisingly Dramatic


HBO

In the comedy series *The Chair Company*, Tim Robinson plays Ron, a man enjoying a successful period in his life. His daughter is getting married, his son is being recruited by colleges, and he’s overseeing the building of a new mall in Ohio. While presenting his plans to his enthusiastic colleagues, his chair unexpectedly breaks, causing a moment of public embarrassment. Though it’s a minor accident, Ron becomes fixated on it. His coworkers brush it off, but he dramatically overreacts. He then attempts to contact the chair manufacturer, Tecca, for help, but finds it impossible to reach a real person in customer service.

Ron becomes consumed by his curiosity about Tecca. He discovers what seems to be their headquarters – a mostly empty warehouse containing a large, red sphere – but doesn’t have time to examine it closely. His obsession starts to affect his work, causing him to fall behind on a project, and his boss warns him to concentrate. Unbeknownst to his boss, Ron is already heavily involved in investigating Tecca. One evening, a man confronts Ron, physically assaults him, and demands that he stop digging into Tecca’s affairs.

What began as a minor misunderstanding has escalated into a full-blown investigation that could reveal a larger conspiracy. Whatever Ron has discovered seems significant and likely involves something sinister. Although *The Chair Company* is primarily a comedy, the first episode hints at its ability to create the same level of suspense as other HBO dramas, all while maintaining Tim Robinson’s signature quirky humor.

For Better or Worse, ‘The Chair Company’ Is Classic Tim Robinson


HBO

You might recognize the star of *The Chair Company* from his previous roles in *I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson* or the recent comedy *Friendship*. Tim Robinson is known for a quirky, often bizarre, sense of humor that isn’t for everyone. Some sketches in *I Think You Should Leave* went a bit too far, and *Friendship* relied on awkward humor. It’s easy to see why some viewers might be hesitant about *The Chair Company*, but the show is already proving to be among Robinson’s strongest work.

One of the best things about *The Chair Company* is how it builds on what Tim Robinson does well, using his established comedic strengths. The show’s focus on something as ordinary as a chair company feels very much like his *I Think You Should Leave* sketches, which often make a big deal out of everyday things. Ron’s intense behavior also echoes Robinson’s character in the movie *Friendship*. The series even explores surprisingly emotional moments, like when Ron breaks down while listening to Jim Croce’s “I Got a Name” and considers how quickly time passes. This mirrors the ending of the “Baby Cries” sketch from *I Think You Should Leave*, where the character similarly reflects on life changes.

Okay, so at first glance, Tim Robinson’s character, Ron, feels like another one of his wonderfully pathetic guys – you know, the kind who just can’t catch a break. He’s got this failed safari park idea and gets into these ridiculous little fights, which is totally his signature move. But the more you watch, the more you realize things aren’t *that* bad for him. He actually seems genuinely happy! He’s got a wife, grown kids, and people at work who have his back. What’s really going to get him down, I think, isn’t the failures themselves, but the fact that he can’t let them go.

Like Tim Robinson’s other work, *The Chair Company* is filled with a funny group of performers, both in front of and behind the camera. The cast includes well-known actors like Lake Bell, Sophia Lillis, Lou Diamond Phillips, and Jim Downey, alongside incredibly talented comedians like Zuleyma Guevara, Glo Tavarez, and Marvin Bell, who shine as Ron’s coworkers. Robinson also collaborates with his regular creative partners, including Zach Kanin, his co-writer from *I Think You Should Leave*, and Andrew DeYoung, who directed his series *Friendship*.

There’s Still Time To Join in the Fun


HBO

I’m so glad I just discovered *The Chair Company* – it’s really taking off! The good news is you can still jump in right at the beginning, as the first episode dropped on October 12th and is available on HBO Max. There are eight episodes total, and new ones come out every Sunday at 10 p.m. on HBO, then quickly appear on HBO Max too. And the best part? It’s not ending until November 30th, so we have over a month to enjoy it!

Beyond advancing the central conspiracy surrounding Tecca, the upcoming episodes of *The Chair Company* look promising, and even the titles hint at the show’s quirky nature. Episode two is called “New blood. There’s 5 Rons now,” and episode three is titled “@BrownDerbyHistoricVids Little bit of Hollywood? Okayyy.” These titles fit the show’s comedic premise perfectly. The first episode’s title appeared unexpectedly within the episode itself, so it will be fun to see how these new titles play out in the plot. You can stream *The Chair Company* on HBO Max.

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2025-10-19 22:18