Tim Robinson's new show, 'The Chair Company,' is taking the comedy world by storm! But is it really that good, or is it just the Tim Robinson effect? Either way, HBO is celebrating a major win: 'The Chair Company' has become their biggest comedy launch in five years, a feat not seen since 'Avenue 5' premiered back in 2020. That's a lot of pressure for a show about… chairs.
So, what's the secret sauce? Well, 'The Chair Company' (you can find more info at the provided link) is exactly the kind of wonderfully bizarre creation you'd expect from the mind of Tim Robinson. And judging by the viewership numbers, audiences are absolutely eating it up! The series debut on Sunday night snagged an impressive 1.4 million viewers across various platforms in the U.S. within just three days. That's a pretty solid start!
And this is the part most people miss... 'The Chair Company' isn't just a successful launch; it's also vying for a spot among HBO Max's all-time comedy premiere heavyweights. It's currently holding its own, sitting comfortably in the top three alongside other hits like 'And Just Like That' and 'Our Flag Means Death'. Talk about some stiff competition (pun intended!).
But what's the show actually about? Robinson stars as William Ronald Trosper, an employee at the architectural firm Fisher Robay, which specializes in designing malls. Trosper finds himself embroiled in a surprisingly deep conspiracy after a hilariously embarrassing workplace mishap: his chair breaks during a crucial business presentation. Driven by a mix of humiliation and determination, Trosper embarks on a quest to track down the manufacturer of the offending chair, Tecca Chairs. This investigation, as you might imagine, leads him down some seriously strange and unexpected paths. Think of it as a darkly comedic, chair-centric detective story.
The show also boasts a talented supporting cast, including Lake Bell as Trosper's wife, Barb; Sophia Lillis as their daughter, Natalie; and Will Price as their son, Seth. And if that wasn't enough star power, Lou Diamond Phillips and Jim Downey also make appearances. It's a recipe for comedic gold, or at least, a very well-upholstered viewing experience.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is the success of 'The Chair Company' solely due to its unique premise and Tim Robinson's comedic genius, or is it also benefiting from a general lack of truly outstanding new comedies on HBO? Could it be that viewers are simply craving something different, something willing to embrace the absurd? What do you think?
While 'The Chair Company' is making waves in the comedy arena, another HBO show, 'Task' (starring Mark Ruffalo and Tom Pelphrey), is quietly building momentum in the drama space. 'Task,' which is also linked above, is set in the gritty, working-class suburbs of Philadelphia. Each episode has seen consistent growth since its premiere, with the most recent episode attracting over 4 million viewers in its first three days. That's a significant 32% jump from the premiere episode, which has now surpassed a whopping 10 million viewers!
Furthermore, 'Task' is proving to be a serious contender, performing on par with Brad Ingelsby's previous HBO hit, 'Mare of Easttown.' 'Task' is currently averaging 6.7 million viewers per episode, while the Kate Winslet-led 'Mare of Easttown' averaged 6.8 million at the same stage in its run. It seems HBO has another potential critical darling on its hands. Ruffalo plays an FBI agent leading a task force to stop a series of violent robberies perpetrated by an unlikely family man, played by Pelphrey. It's a compelling narrative that's clearly resonating with audiences.
So, what's your verdict? Is 'The Chair Company' truly deserving of all the hype, or is it just a case of right place, right time? And what about 'Task'? Do you think it has the potential to become HBO's next big drama? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Are you Team 'Chair Company' or Team 'Task' – or are you just happy to have some quality entertainment to watch?
