“I Think You Should Leave With Tim Robinson” has garnered significant acclaim as one of the best workplace comedies currently airing. The Netflix sketch show, crafted by Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin, dives into a realm where typical office environments are transformed into chaotic and unsettling experiences. In these sketches, the conference table resembles a cursed altar, colleagues suppress deep-seated rage beneath their professional façades, and office parties turn into perilous landscapes. Among the highlights are the absurd scenarios where individuals risk everything for the simple desire to eat hot dogs during meetings, and work trips spiral into lunacy.
Building on this unique vision, Robinson and Kanin have launched their new project, “The Chair Company,” on HBO. Unlike the brisk sketches of their previous work, this series delves into a more extended format, offering a surreal exploration of the bizarre and sometimes dehumanizing aspects of corporate life. The show, while not focusing on character relationships or central mysteries, manages to combine high-surrealist critique with poignant portraits of human fragility. Viewers may not get caught up in a traditional narrative, but they could find themselves strangely moved by the unfolding scenes.
The storyline of “The Chair Company” follows Ron Trosper, played by Robinson, a middle manager tasked with overseeing the construction of a new shopping mall in Canton, Ohio. At the series’ outset, Ron is celebrating this milestone over dinner with his family: his ambitious wife Barb, portrayed by Lake Bell, and their two adult children. However, things take a comedic turn when a young server interrupts to praise their athletic son, Seth. What could be a proud moment quickly descends into a social mishap, as Ron finds himself entangled in an awkward exchange about malls. His attempt to explain how one may not realize they are in a mall amplifies the absurdity of the situation, showcasing a classic Robinson-Kanin dynamic where social traps lead to discomfort and hilarity.
Through this innovative approach to workplace comedy, “The Chair Company” offers a fresh perspective on the trials and tribulations of corporate culture. It reflects the absurdities of modern work life while simultaneously managing to be a thoughtful exploration of human emotions amidst chaos. In a time when many are reassessing their work environments, the show resonates with both humor and authenticity, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences in the workplace.