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Tom Power

The Chair Company is the next absurd comedy from Tim Robinson – and the HBO Max show's wild premise means I'll be seated day one to watch it

Ron Trosper sitting down and talking on a mobile phone in The Chair Company.
  • HBO Max has confirmed a mid-October release for The Chair Company
  • The absurdist comedy show's first-look images have also been revealed
  • I Think You Should Leave co-creator and star Tim Robinson will play its main character

The Chair Company, a new absurdist comedy show from I Think You Should Leave's Tim Robinson, will make its debut this October.

In a press release, HBO confirmed the eight-episode series will launch on the linear US TV network and HBO Max, aka one of the world's best streaming services on Sunday, October 12. There's no official word on where it can be seen in nations where HBO and/or HBO Max isn't available. However, I suspect The Chair Company will be released on HBO's international partner platforms, such as Sky/Now TV in the UK.

HBO didn't release a trailer alongside the half-hour comedy program's launch date announcement, but did provide numerous first-look images for people to pore over.

Outside of confirming the name of Robinson's character – William Ronald 'Ron' Trosper – there's not much we can glean from said stills. Thankfully, HBO has also unveiled a single sentence story synopsis that suggests The Chair Company will be a mysterious watch and that Robinson's penchant for absurd and cringe-based comedy will be on full view throughout.

"After an embarrassing incident at work, Trosper (Robinson) finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy," the show's logline reads. I'm someone who loves a good conspiracy-based tale, even more so one that'll be imbued with Robinson's signature brand of awkward, silly, and occasionally intelligent humor. So, I'll be *ahem* sitting comfortably – or, rather, uncomfortably if the level of cringe is as high as I expect it to be – when it finally airs.

Robinson, who made his name via sketch comedy series I Think You Should Leave on Netflix, is the star and co-creator of The Chair Company. Zach Kanin, who created one of the best Netflix shows alongside Robinson, is joint creator on this HBO comedy vehicle.

Joining Robinson on the cast list are Lake Bell (Boston Legal, Childrens Hospital) as Ron's wife Barb, Sophia Lillis (It, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves) and Will Price (A Complete Unknown) as Ron's kids Natalie and Seth, Joseph Tudisco (The Sopranos) as Mike Santini, and Lou Diamond Phillips (La Bamba, Longmire) as Jeff Levjman.

Robinson and Kanin are joined on the executive producing team by long-standing comedy/drama creative Adam McKay, as well as McKay's HyperObject Industries partner Todd Schulman. Andrew DeYoung and Igor Srubshcick are also executive producers on what could potentially be one of the best HBO Max shows of 2025. DeYoung and Aaron Schimberg share directing duties on The Chair Company, too.

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