The Chair Company: A new HBO comedy pilot with a stellar cast
Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin’s HBO comedy pilot “The Chair Company” has added five new cast members, Variety has learned exclusively.
Lake Bell (“Harley Quinn,” “Mother Couch”), Sophia Lillis (“It,” “I Am Not Okay With This”), Will Price (“After the Hunt,” “A Complete Unknown”), Joseph Tudisco (“A Brooklyn Love Story,” “FBI”), and Lou Diamond Phillips (“Search Party,” “Easter Sunday”) will all appear in the pilot. Phillips will be a guest star while the other four will be series regulars. Bell will play Barb Trosper, with Lillis as Natalie Trosper, Price as Seth Trosper, and Tudisco as Mike Santini. Phillips will appear as Jeff Levjman.
As previously announced, Robinson will star in the pilot. The official logline for “The Chair Company” states, “After an embarrassing incident at work, a man finds himself investigating a far-reaching conspiracy.”
A deep dive into the cast and characters
Lake Bell, known for her versatile roles in “Harley Quinn” and “Mother Couch,” will bring her unique charm to the character of Barb Trosper. Bell’s ability to blend humor with depth makes her a perfect fit for this role. Watch the trailer for Harley Quinn.
Sophia Lillis, who captivated audiences in “It” and “I Am Not Okay With This,” will portray Natalie Trosper. Lillis’s youthful energy and nuanced performances are sure to add layers to her character. Watch the trailer for It.
Will Price, with his impressive performances in “After the Hunt” and “A Complete Unknown,” will take on the role of Seth Trosper. Price’s ability to convey complex emotions will be a significant asset to the series. Watch the trailer for After the Hunt.
Joseph Tudisco, known for his roles in “A Brooklyn Love Story” and “FBI,” will play Mike Santini. Tudisco’s strong screen presence and versatility will undoubtedly shine in this new role. Watch the trailer for A Brooklyn Love Story.
Lou Diamond Phillips, a seasoned actor with credits in “Search Party” and “Easter Sunday,” will guest star as Jeff Levjman. Phillips’s extensive experience and charisma will bring a unique dynamic to the show. Watch the trailer for Search Party.
The creative minds behind the show
In addition to starring, Robinson is the co-creator of “The Chair Company” along with Zach Kanin. Both also serve as executive producers. Adam McKay and Todd Schulman will serve as executive producers via Hyperobject Industries alongside Andrew DeYoung, who will also direct the pilot. Hyperobject is currently under a first-look TV deal at HBO.
Kanin and Robinson are frequent collaborators, beginning with their time together on the writing staff of “Saturday Night Live.” They then went on to co-create the popular Comedy Central series “Detroiters” with Sam Richardson and Joe Kelly (with Robinson and Richardson starring) and the Netflix sketch comedy series “I Think You Should Leave” (with Robinson also starring). The latter show won the Emmy Award for best short form series in 2023, while Robinson has won the Emmy for best actor in a short form series twice to date.
The anticipation builds
The announcement of “The Chair Company” has generated significant buzz, thanks to its stellar cast and the creative minds behind it. With a blend of seasoned actors and fresh talent, the show promises to deliver a unique and engaging narrative. The involvement of industry heavyweights like Adam McKay and Todd Schulman further elevates expectations.
As we await the pilot, the excitement continues to build. Will “The Chair Company” live up to the hype? Only time will tell. For now, fans can look forward to a show that promises to be both entertaining and thought-provoking.
In the world of television, where new shows come and go, “The Chair Company” stands out as a promising addition. With its intriguing premise and talented cast, it has all the ingredients for success. As we look forward to its premiere, one can’t help but wonder about the twists and turns that await in this new comedy series.