Lead Balloon

“Lead Balloon” is a British TV show produced by Open Mike Productions for BBC Four. Created and co-written by comedian Jack Dee and Pete Sinclair, the series features Dee as Rick Spleen, a jaded and misanthropic comedian constantly beset by minor irritations, letdowns, and humiliations. The cast also includes Raquel Cassidy, Sean Power, and Tony Gardner. The inaugural season, consisting of six episodes, premiered on BBC Four in 2006, with its first episode garnering the highest ratings for a comedy on the channel. The series was later rebroadcast on BBC Two and BBC HD, reaching a broader audience. The second season, comprising eight episodes, aired on BBC Two in November 2007, followed by a third season in November 2008. The fourth and final season began on 31 May 2011 on BBC Two and concluded on 5 July.

Critics drew parallels between “Lead Balloon” and the popular American comedy “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” praising the show’s characters, especially Magda, the Eastern European housekeeper. The first season was released on DVD in November 2007. The show’s theme song is a cover of “One Way Road,” written by Noel Gallagher and performed by Paul Weller.