November 26, 2025 • 9 mins
HBO’s hit comedy series The Chair Company starring Tim Robinson arrives at its season finale on November 30 and to discuss the show is one of its stars, . The Chair Company tells the story of Ron Trosper (Tim Robinson: Friendship, I Think You Should Leave), who begins investigating a vast and elaborate conspiracy after an embarrassing workplace incident. The series marked HBO’s biggest comedy debut in over five years and one of the top three HBO Max comedy launches in its history. Lake Bell, who plays Ron’s wife Barb, appeared in films such as No Escape (with Owen Wilson & Pierce Brosnan); Million Dollar Arm (with Jon Hamm); No Strings Attached (with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman) and It’s Complicated (with Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin & Steve Martin). As a voice actress, she currently stars as Poison Ivy in DC Universe’s Harley Quinn and as Black Widow in Marvel’s What If series. Bell is also an accomplished director -- her debut feature, In a World… (which she wrote, directed, and acted) received rave reviews and was named one of the Top 10 Independent Films of 2013. Her second feature film, I Do… Until I Don’t, which she also wrote and acted in, starred Ed Helms, Mary Steenburgen, Paul Reiser and Amber Heard.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I've been a part of sharing the story of NBC's
The Voice since twenty sixteen, but they've been scattered across
all the digital platforms. Now all of those conversations are
in one location. Ero dot net, a r r oe
dot net look for that voice. How are you doing today?
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Good? How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Absolutely fantastic, And I'm very excited to share a conversation
with you because I mean, I just love where you
are with your creativity and being on the Chair Company
is just one of those things where it's like, of course,
this is part of the next chapter, and it's gonna
be one of those things that you know, when we
go back, we're going to say, oh, I'm going back
there to rewatch those episodes and things and then wow,
I mean, what a great place to be right now.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Thanks, thank you, Eric, I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Yeah, it's been really it's been very very fulfilling to
be on the show. I think, you know, just having
a show that your peers, you know, your comedy cronies,
your your your people that I love and respect and
revere are are watching and they're just like pumped on it.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
So that feels really fulfilling.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
We are in such an amazing place when it comes
to creative expression, when it comes to the digital platforms,
because people like HBO give us that opportunity to explore
life through other people's experiences through writing and with you
being on there reading with Tim Robinson's words and things
like that, it's like you are us, but you're on TV.
But that's why we relate with it, because you are us.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, that's a really great point.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
It's it's kind of one of those things I keep
out getting asked, Wow, you're playing the straight woman, you
know how what's that like? And I'm like, well, it's
an essential part of the ship. It's like, you can't
the ship doesn't float comedically if as it were, if
you don't have the better off, which is this kind
(01:51):
of steeped in reality, you know, sort of access point,
you know, which is really where the viewer is the
viewers going, you know, get a hold of yourself or
what the hell.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Is wrong with you?
Speaker 3 (02:03):
You know, And I think, you know, as as playing Barb,
you know, I'm really I'm.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Brokering that kind of thought right.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
With with the actual viewers themselves, which is, hey, we're
the reality check over here. We are, you know, as
your family. To Ron Trosper, we are the stakes, we
are why it matters to you to figure this out,
and also what you're what you're screwing up.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
You know, what would it be like if you were
going through a Starbucks and a real Ron Trosper just
walked right in front of you? I mean, what would
you approach him? Or would you sit there and say no,
I'm gonna sit back here and watch and see where
this guy's going first.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
You know what, I feel so well versed now in
being in concert with with with curmudgeonly difficult kind of characters,
and you know, it's kind of endearing to my mom. Actually,
my mom said, you know, well, what is this show about?
And I explained to her the guy sits on a
(03:02):
chair and then he goes down this rabbit hole about
a conspiracy that the chair company that made the chair
is out to get him.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Anyway.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
So she watched the show and then she said to me, honey,
is this a comedy?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
She said? You know, I was like, yeah, Mom, it's
a comedy. She was like, but.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
He's he's unwell, this man he needs help, you know,
And it was funny because it's like I think it
really is touching a nerve because it's there's this sense
of in our society right now, a little paranoia, you know,
we have we have a little we all feel that
(03:47):
we are private investigators because we have the World Wide Web,
you know, like we think, oh, I'll figure it out
because I can go on the Internet, so I'm a professional,
you know. And I think that there's something that you know,
it feels like of the moment, you know, which is
(04:09):
we we feel like there's something more, you know, There's
no way it could just be.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
This, you know. And and I think that.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Was really interesting and then just my mom, Yeah, she's right.
I mean there's something. There's something off with.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Please Do Not Move. There's more with lake Bell coming
up next on HBO The Chair Company starring Lake Bell.
We are back. Do you guys are proving that comedy
doesn't have to be a joke, that there can be
something that you are relating with so closely that it
becomes a reason to kind of laugh. And And to me,
(04:46):
I mean that's what I love about the writing on
the show. It's it's like it's like, Wow, I can
relate with this. My reaction I'm going to giggle.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Yeah, totally.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
I mean, it's it's it's cringey, it's it's you know,
it's it's hit you in the gut and a way
that feels so relatable, and yet you're like, oh, I'd
never do that, and yet I do kind of understand
why he did that. But also he's a maniac, you know,
And I think, you know, the only reason it works
is because Zach Kanaan and Tim Robinson, who wrote the series,
(05:19):
really created characters and a world that lives in this
narrative that you really relate to.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
You know, You're like, this is my neighbor or my
neighbor's neighbor.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
I know this guy. You know this guy works. I've
seen him, and I know his you know his wife
and kids. Sure, I know these people, I know these officemates.
And so having that kind of really subtle threading the
needle of something that feels really real but also can
(05:51):
be absurdist is really exciting to be a part of
and also great to watch. Like I love watching the
show because I'm only in the bar bits, you know
what I mean. The bar bits are over there and
then the rest of the show is over there, so
I get to enjoy the show with people.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Yeah, but don't you think that's Zach's cartooning way in
the way of bringing everything together, because when he's teamed
up with Tim Robinson, it's almost like we have all
these different things that are taking place, but somehow, some
way they all meet in the middle and the viewers going, yeah,
give me more.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Totally one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
I think that's another part of it that those guys
just know how to.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Kind of kind of like lace this web. You know.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
It's like there's a web, right and you're kind of like,
where is this going? And they're like, it's all good,
We've got your like just go on the ride, like,
don't think about where we're going.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Just suspendous belief a little bit.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
The one thing that I took note of there's a
lot of body language going on in the show, is
that part of the layout when you're on the set,
we need more body language, we need more movement in
your arms, your facial expressions, because I'm so attracted to
every character because of the way that they're moving their body.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
You know what.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
I think that's such a great observation.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
I think, you know, in comedy, I always think of
it like there's sometimes just kind of great comedic performers,
which one hundred percent we have just kind of understand
that it doesn't just live in the words, right, it
lives in.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
The nuance of how we move through the space.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
So, you know, I find with Barb, you know, I
kind of you know, I found myself creating these physic
physical notes. I know that obviously it has to foil
against the very very specific Tim Robinson physicality. So mine
is smaller and almost like I pull myself in to
(07:49):
kind of smush myself, like I think where I kind
of like make my my chin, kind of give myself
a double chin, you know, like I have these things
that I do to kind of make my myself maternal
and and soft to and and inward kind of yeah,
to fail his sort of wacky uh turtally outwards.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
You know.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
It's like funny how we have these these funky little
like things that we don't even realize we're doing.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
We're doing well.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
This is definitely one of those places where it's like
the right place at the right time, Because when HBO
sits there and says this is an HBO original and
you watch the Chair Company, you actually know in your
heart you are watching something that is very, very original.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Yeah, I agree with you there, I cannot deny it.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
It's like it's it's great to be back in the
hbochgeist and you know, just with how to make it
in America. You know, it's like I've enjoyed I always
enjoy working.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
For HBO and with HBO because it's just, you know,
there's a unique you're on. You're on a unique journey.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
You know.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Wow, you gotta come back to this show anytime in
the future because the door is always going to be
open for you.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Thank you, Thank you. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
You'd be brilliant today. Okay, thank you, thank you.
I've been a part of sharing the story of NBC's
The Voice since twenty sixteen, but they've been scattered across
all the digital platforms. Now all of those conversations are
in one location. Ero dot net, a r r oe
dot net look for that voice. How are you doing today?
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Good? How are you?
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Absolutely fantastic, And I'm very excited to share a conversation
with you because I mean, I just love where you
are with your creativity and being on the Chair Company
is just one of those things where it's like, of course,
this is part of the next chapter, and it's gonna
be one of those things that you know, when we
go back, we're going to say, oh, I'm going back
there to rewatch those episodes and things and then wow,
I mean, what a great place to be right now.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Thanks, thank you, Eric, I appreciate it.
Speaker 3 (00:45):
Yeah, it's been really it's been very very fulfilling to
be on the show. I think, you know, just having
a show that your peers, you know, your comedy cronies,
your your your people that I love and respect and
revere are are watching and they're just like pumped on it.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
So that feels really fulfilling.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
We are in such an amazing place when it comes
to creative expression, when it comes to the digital platforms,
because people like HBO give us that opportunity to explore
life through other people's experiences through writing and with you
being on there reading with Tim Robinson's words and things
like that, it's like you are us, but you're on TV.
But that's why we relate with it, because you are us.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Yeah, that's a really great point.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
It's it's kind of one of those things I keep
out getting asked, Wow, you're playing the straight woman, you
know how what's that like? And I'm like, well, it's
an essential part of the ship. It's like, you can't
the ship doesn't float comedically if as it were, if
you don't have the better off, which is this kind
(01:51):
of steeped in reality, you know, sort of access point,
you know, which is really where the viewer is the
viewers going, you know, get a hold of yourself or
what the hell.
Speaker 2 (02:02):
Is wrong with you?
Speaker 3 (02:03):
You know, And I think, you know, as as playing Barb,
you know, I'm really I'm.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Brokering that kind of thought right.
Speaker 3 (02:13):
With with the actual viewers themselves, which is, hey, we're
the reality check over here. We are, you know, as
your family. To Ron Trosper, we are the stakes, we
are why it matters to you to figure this out,
and also what you're what you're screwing up.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
You know, what would it be like if you were
going through a Starbucks and a real Ron Trosper just
walked right in front of you? I mean, what would
you approach him? Or would you sit there and say no,
I'm gonna sit back here and watch and see where
this guy's going first.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
You know what, I feel so well versed now in
being in concert with with with curmudgeonly difficult kind of characters,
and you know, it's kind of endearing to my mom. Actually,
my mom said, you know, well, what is this show about?
And I explained to her the guy sits on a
(03:02):
chair and then he goes down this rabbit hole about
a conspiracy that the chair company that made the chair
is out to get him.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
Anyway.
Speaker 3 (03:10):
So she watched the show and then she said to me, honey,
is this a comedy?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
She said? You know, I was like, yeah, Mom, it's
a comedy. She was like, but.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
He's he's unwell, this man he needs help, you know,
And it was funny because it's like I think it
really is touching a nerve because it's there's this sense
of in our society right now, a little paranoia, you know,
we have we have a little we all feel that
(03:47):
we are private investigators because we have the World Wide Web,
you know, like we think, oh, I'll figure it out
because I can go on the Internet, so I'm a professional,
you know. And I think that there's something that you know,
it feels like of the moment, you know, which is
(04:09):
we we feel like there's something more, you know, There's
no way it could just be.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
This, you know. And and I think that.
Speaker 3 (04:17):
Was really interesting and then just my mom, Yeah, she's right.
I mean there's something. There's something off with.
Speaker 1 (04:25):
Please Do Not Move. There's more with lake Bell coming
up next on HBO The Chair Company starring Lake Bell.
We are back. Do you guys are proving that comedy
doesn't have to be a joke, that there can be
something that you are relating with so closely that it
becomes a reason to kind of laugh. And And to me,
(04:46):
I mean that's what I love about the writing on
the show. It's it's like it's like, Wow, I can
relate with this. My reaction I'm going to giggle.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
Yeah, totally.
Speaker 3 (04:55):
I mean, it's it's it's cringey, it's it's you know,
it's it's hit you in the gut and a way
that feels so relatable, and yet you're like, oh, I'd
never do that, and yet I do kind of understand
why he did that. But also he's a maniac, you know,
And I think, you know, the only reason it works
is because Zach Kanaan and Tim Robinson, who wrote the series,
(05:19):
really created characters and a world that lives in this
narrative that you really relate to.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
You know, You're like, this is my neighbor or my
neighbor's neighbor.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
I know this guy. You know this guy works. I've
seen him, and I know his you know his wife
and kids. Sure, I know these people, I know these officemates.
And so having that kind of really subtle threading the
needle of something that feels really real but also can
(05:51):
be absurdist is really exciting to be a part of
and also great to watch. Like I love watching the
show because I'm only in the bar bits, you know
what I mean. The bar bits are over there and
then the rest of the show is over there, so
I get to enjoy the show with people.
Speaker 1 (06:08):
Yeah, but don't you think that's Zach's cartooning way in
the way of bringing everything together, because when he's teamed
up with Tim Robinson, it's almost like we have all
these different things that are taking place, but somehow, some
way they all meet in the middle and the viewers going, yeah,
give me more.
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Totally one hundred percent.
Speaker 3 (06:24):
I think that's another part of it that those guys
just know how to.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Kind of kind of like lace this web. You know.
Speaker 3 (06:34):
It's like there's a web, right and you're kind of like,
where is this going? And they're like, it's all good,
We've got your like just go on the ride, like,
don't think about where we're going.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Just suspendous belief a little bit.
Speaker 1 (06:46):
The one thing that I took note of there's a
lot of body language going on in the show, is
that part of the layout when you're on the set,
we need more body language, we need more movement in
your arms, your facial expressions, because I'm so attracted to
every character because of the way that they're moving their body.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
You know what.
Speaker 2 (07:05):
I think that's such a great observation.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
I think, you know, in comedy, I always think of
it like there's sometimes just kind of great comedic performers,
which one hundred percent we have just kind of understand
that it doesn't just live in the words, right, it
lives in.
Speaker 2 (07:24):
The nuance of how we move through the space.
Speaker 3 (07:28):
So, you know, I find with Barb, you know, I
kind of you know, I found myself creating these physic
physical notes. I know that obviously it has to foil
against the very very specific Tim Robinson physicality. So mine
is smaller and almost like I pull myself in to
(07:49):
kind of smush myself, like I think where I kind
of like make my my chin, kind of give myself
a double chin, you know, like I have these things
that I do to kind of make my myself maternal
and and soft to and and inward kind of yeah,
to fail his sort of wacky uh turtally outwards.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
You know.
Speaker 3 (08:14):
It's like funny how we have these these funky little
like things that we don't even realize we're doing.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
We're doing well.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
This is definitely one of those places where it's like
the right place at the right time, Because when HBO
sits there and says this is an HBO original and
you watch the Chair Company, you actually know in your
heart you are watching something that is very, very original.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Yeah, I agree with you there, I cannot deny it.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
It's like it's it's great to be back in the
hbochgeist and you know, just with how to make it
in America. You know, it's like I've enjoyed I always
enjoy working.
Speaker 2 (08:51):
For HBO and with HBO because it's just, you know,
there's a unique you're on. You're on a unique journey.
Speaker 3 (08:58):
You know.
Speaker 1 (08:59):
Wow, you gotta come back to this show anytime in
the future because the door is always going to be
open for you.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Thank you, Thank you. I appreciate it.
Speaker 1 (09:07):
You'd be brilliant today. Okay, thank you, thank you.
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