Lead Balloon

Lead Balloon is a British TV series produced by Open Mike Productions for BBC Four. Created and co-written by comedian Jack Dee alongside Pete Sinclair, the show features Dee as Rick Spleen, a jaded and misanthropic comedian constantly beset by minor irritations, setbacks, and humiliations. The cast also includes Raquel Cassidy, Sean Power, and Tony Gardner. The inaugural season, consisting of six episodes, aired on BBC Four in 2006, with its premiere episode setting a record for comedy viewership on the channel. The series was later rebroadcast on BBC Two and BBC HD, reaching a wider audience. The second season, comprising eight episodes, was shown 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 this series and the popular American comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm, praising Lead Balloon’s characters, especially Magda, the Eastern European housekeeper. The first season was made available on DVD in November 2007. The show’s theme song is a rendition of “One Way Road,” originally by Noel Gallagher and performed by Paul Weller.