Tim Robinson's Comedic Mind Palace Expands With New Show

Tim Robinson, the brains behind the comedic goldmine "I Think You Should Leave", has leapt to another dimension of humor with his latest creation,"The Chair Company". The sort of mirth that Robinson spins comes from those awkward embarrassing moments every person has faced and even heavier, from a stubborn refusal to admit we were wrong. For example, his character yanks at a push door until he's sweating like a pig. Instead of admitting his mistake, he tragically and comically takes the door's hinge off. This prolonged refusal to back down from the ridiculous, even at his own expense, sits at the core of Robinson’s humourous persona.

Teaming up again with Andrew DeYoung and Zach Kanin from "I Think You Should Leave", the comedic trio have spun this laugh-out-loud concept across eight half-hour episodes in the new HBO show. In "The Chair Company", the main character’s comedic blunder unfurls the story, but sorry folks, we're not throwing any spoilers at you! All we can say is that an embarrassing office hiccup sets off an entertaining chain reaction you won't want to miss.

Our main character, William Ronald Trosper or "Ron", isn't the average Joe. Created by the comedic genius of Robinson, his character is drawn straight from the pages of the odd and ridiculous. Ron, unable to just laugh off his office mishap, spirals into a self-delusional investigation convinced he's been caught up in an elaborate corporate conspiracy. Time to break out the tinfoil hats!

As peculiar as it sounds, "The Chair Company" humorously mirrors some of the tense social climates of today. Ron personifies those amongst us who, rather than own up to life’s errors and misfortunes, would rather chase conspiratorial shadows, in the defiant belief that others are to blame. Ron’s journey to vindicate himself at the cost of sanity offers a comedic, yet contemplative exploration of how quickly the human persona can flip from reality to fantasy.

Despite being the star of this mis-educated conspiracy whirlwind, Ron, blessed with a supportive family including wife Barb (Lake Bell), son Seth (Will Price) and daughter Natalie (Sophia Lillis), is no lone ranger running against the tide of reality. Other peculiar characters dot the narrative landscape, such as socially awkward party-goers taking classes to become the life of parties, an acting tutor adjusting to the 'cozy' comforts of a student’s spare room, or those like the cool as cucumber CEO Jeff (Lou Diamond Phillips) who's only a toe-curling embarrassment away from tipping over the edge.

Here’s where the plot takes a strange twist though; Ron’s conspiracy theory actually has a thread of truth. As he uncovers more information, he descends into a chaotic labyrinth of intrigue and dangerous encounters while juggling office deadlines and family obligations. The hazy nature of both the conspiracy and the stakes only accentuate the comedic journey as Ron stumbles into outlandishly funny situations.

The strange inflections, peculiar facial expressions and overly-expressive performances from the cast make this show a wholeheartedly unique experience, bordering on the realm of the alien-esqe. The allure of “The Chair Company” lies in its awkward cringe-inducing interactions and thought-provoking hilarity, making this a must-watch for those who appreciate the alternative humor that emanates from Tim Robinson and his team. In this rollercoaster ride of a show, Robinson’s comedic genius persists in reminding you that regardless of how ridiculous or nonsensical our self-conceptions can become, they remain intriguingly difficult to ignore.