Lead Balloon
On Thursday 5th October 2006 GMT at 2:44 PM GMT, Wheeler said:
At last...a decent BBC sitcom that isn't written by Ricky Gervais. Watched the first episode last night and thought that it showed a lot of promise. It will inevitably be compared with Curb Your Enthusiasm, but if you're going to borrow then you might as well borrow from the best.
On Thursday 5th October 2006 GMT at 11:47 PM GMT, zooo said:
I really liked it.
"I eat buns".
Hee.
And they played a Ben Folds song as background music! Which might mean nothing to anyone else, but it made me happy.
On Friday 6th October 2006 GMT at 12:50 PM GMT, Mark Rushton said:
Let's have it right it was certainly nothing to write home about which makes what I'm doing now pretty ironic.
The gags were a bit tired and I thought the best character was the cleaner/nanny who did raise a smile.
Don't get me wrong when I see something good I will be on this forum like a trap on a kipper but it probably says something when it's put on bbc4 at 10.30.
On Friday 6th October 2006 GMT at 1:40 PM GMT, Wheeler said:
If you take a look at this site's news section, you'll see that it earned BBC4 its highest-ever rating for a comedy show, so expect to see it on BBC1 or 2 in the near future.
I liked it. There have been so many piss poor sitcoms on the BBC over recent years that I'm just grateful for anything that is intelligent and well written. The programme with Mark Lawson interviewing Jack Dee was also worth watching.
On Sunday 8th October 2006 GMT at 1:19 PM GMT, SlagA said:
I have to agree with Mark, I think Lead Balloon should be a prophetic title for it. There were too many passages of unfunny dialogue, and they gave away the cafe owner knowing about the cake before they entered the shop. Perhaps it would have been funnier if the owner was dissing Dee without Dee realising why until he reads the paper and the penny drops. The other way around, you knew what was happening.
The best character for me was the interfering whispery shop assistant at the baby store. She was at least nicely observed. although the cleaner was next in line. But surely when minor characters leap out that says something about the major characters?
The plot wasn't staggering although i thought the end was an improvement as they began to pile the troubles on Dee. However, a funnier end may have been to have the people he'd offended banging on his front door for a showdown as he tried sneaking out back. Straight into the waiting hard guy who'd been to prison.
Jack Dee was just being Jack Dee. He wasn't the much-publicised "Rick Spleen", or else Rick Spleen makes his living as a Jack Dee impersonator. It's like the anti-drugs video Rik Mayall once did that announced a 'great new character' and it was just rik mayall being the same character he's been throughout his career in YOnes / Filthy Rich (now that was a great show) / Bottom / Paradiso. There was nothing new in Dee's characterisation (if there was any characterisation) to warrant a name other than Jack Dee
The handwritten interludes were nice but often just repeated a joke.
It needs to get more jokes in to warrant being called a sit-com. And more plot. I'll almost guarantee that if one of us had sent in that script to the Beeb, we'd be reading a rejection slip.
On Monday 9th October 2006 GMT at 12:47 AM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
I watched this and i really enjoyed it. As zooo said "I eat buns" made me laugh. I just don't like the american chap, it seems like there's no point him being there imo. Oh, and Michael, i still think of him as Brian from MPAA.
On Monday 9th October 2006 GMT at 12:51 AM GMT, sitcom-fan said:
lovin it so much!! 
On Monday 9th October 2006 GMT at 3:55 PM GMT, Mark Rushton said:
In response to Wheeler about so many piss poor sitcoms, perhaps the reason for this is too many companies looking for a sure thing and simply relying on a name such as Jack Dee.
Like SlagA said if this was sent off by Mr. J Bloggs based on what we've seen so far I agree, a regection slip would have been on it's way.
Yes there is a lot of toss out there but as new writers all you hear is how companies are begging for good scripts and constantly looking for the next big thing, if this is the case how come companies make it so difficult to submit ideas as an new/unheard of writer whose name might not be Mr. J Dee?
oops regection slip, SEE ME!
Perhaps it's due to shit spilling.
On Thursday 12th October 2006 GMT at 3:26 PM GMT, Miranda Walker said:
I found the first episode a little slow, but really enjoyed the second. It was a shame the scene where Rick sets his alarm to catch out the paper boy was spoiled by the trailer, as it was the funniest I thought.
I agree with the previous comments about Curb - may as well borrow from the best. But the scene in the baby shop was very reminiscent of a scene in Curb where tightfisted Larry has to buy a gift.
On Thursday 12th October 2006 GMT at 7:51 PM GMT, Thomps said:
It's OK - has some funny moments and I thought the scene with Jack Dee and the guy from The Office worked well. But there is a shortage of laughs and some of the characters could easily be dropped, such as the American guy (not funny) and the slacker boyfriend (one gormless teenager is more than enough, thanks). I also can't help comparing it with Curb Your Enthusiasm and no one does that kind of humour better than Larry David.
On Thursday 12th October 2006 GMT at 8:04 PM GMT, Miranda Walker said:
I've heard having an American character helps to sell a show (and novels) to the states. I wonder if that's true, and if people might be tempted to add an American character for this reason? It occured to me when I watched Love Soup, Lead Balloon and Not Going Out, all recent and all with one American. Hmmm...
On Thursday 12th October 2006 GMT at 8:17 PM GMT, Mark Rushton said:
Don't forget the brilliant 'My Hero'
On Friday 13th October 2006 GMT at 2:07 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
Quote: Mark Rushton @ October 12, 2006, 4:17 PMDon't forget 'My Hero'
Thats better.
On Friday 13th October 2006 GMT at 2:21 PM GMT, Mark Rushton said:
I can't take it any longer. I have to reply just incase there is any confusion.
I was taking the piss when I said brilliant I hate this show already!!
Just to clear that up.
On Monday 16th October 2006 GMT at 6:31 PM GMT, Thomps said:
Quote: Mark Rushton @ October 6, 2006, 8:50 AMDon't get me wrong when I see something good I will be on this forum like a trap on a kipper but it probably says something when it's put on bbc4 at 10.30.
It was Jack Dee's decision for Lead Balloon to make its debut on BBC4. Quote from a piece on the show in today's Guardian:
Lead Balloon premiered on BBC4 on October 4 at 10.30pm and instantly became the highest-rated comedy on the channel to date, securing a peak of 383,000 viewers. Realising they had a bit of gold on their hands, the BBC moved with astonishing speed to fashion it into a prime-time trinket. Lead Balloon switches to BBC2 on October 26, making the jump before it has finished its first run on BBC4.
On Monday 16th October 2006 GMT at 7:14 PM GMT, Mark Rushton said:
Well I suppose in between celebrity life of grime, pump my bride and changing dragons dens they have to be seen to do real programs on BBC1.
Please forgive me if I sound naive but surely 383,000 viewers can't really go that much higher.
1: People who have watched it on BBC4 will continue to watch it here to keep the continuity thus not increasing BBC1's figures.
2: Anyone who saw the first episode on BBC4 thought it was pretty medioca and probably not tried to see it past episode 3 apart from us lot who enjoy swearing at the telly.
3: It was advertised on BBC1 when it came out anyway so everyone knew where to find it if they really wanted to watch it.
4: Won't all this just happen again on BBC1 but just more people will stumble across it giving the beeb bragging rights about 'how it's figures have grown from BBC4' for something that is tired lacking in gags, poor characters and from what's been said nicked its core idea from Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Anyone?
On Monday 16th October 2006 GMT at 7:34 PM GMT, Thomps said:
On the back of excellent viewing figures for a BBC4 show, they're obviously banking on the Jack Dee factor - that a lot of people who haven't seen it on BBC4 will tune in because his name is attached to it.
Not everyone who has seen Lead Balloon feels that it is mediocre - a few people liked it on here and it has received some strong newspaper reviews. I think that it's pretty good - it's far from perfect but it does have some good characters and is funny in places. I see it as the sort of show that could do well on BBC2.
On Friday 20th October 2006 GMT at 8:24 PM GMT, Jay72 said:
I think it is good although it is obviously a poor man's Curb. Interesting to see that the BBC4 ratings figures have dropped sharply after the first three episodes.
Gets a 7/10 for me so far. Will see it through to the end.
On Friday 20th October 2006 GMT at 8:54 PM GMT, Miranda Walker said:
I'm getting more into it with every episode. Also, not everyone interested in the show will have had access to BBC 4.
On Friday 20th October 2006 GMT at 9:37 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
This is a great show, well written, well performed and very funny. I really cant believe that so many people are slamming it on here. Oh, wait, sorry; im on an internet chat room. Forgot where I was for a moment, of course theres going to be over the top slagging going on. Carry on. My apologies.
On Friday 20th October 2006 GMT at 10:11 PM GMT, Aaron said:
It's not a chat room really... And anyway, debate is healthy! People are just expressing their points of view.
On Friday 20th October 2006 GMT at 11:30 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Im just saying theres can be a middle ground, for this show in particular its the virilance of the nay sayers that surprises me, surely it cant offend anyone that much?
Plus a lot of it isnt about debate really, its about saying this is awful, heres why and im right, or this show is outstanding and heres why and im right. There is no debate really, just a flow of heightened for effect unmovable opinion.
On Saturday 21st October 2006 GMT at 12:46 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Perhaps it's true that some of our discussions aren't so much debates as statements, and I suppose that you have a point there, but I think that people are really just particularly passionate about comedy. Perhaps Lead Balloon is one of those love-it-or-hate-it shows?
On Saturday 21st October 2006 GMT at 1:21 AM GMT, Andrew Collins said:
Quote: Miranda Walker @ October 12, 2006, 4:04 PMI've heard having an American character helps to sell a show (and novels) to the states. I wonder if that's true, and if people might be tempted to add an American character for this reason? It occured to me when I watched Love Soup, Lead Balloon and Not Going Out, all recent and all with one American. Hmmm...
Again, for the record, we cast Megan Dodds, an American, as Kate in Not Going Out because she came out top in the audition. The part was originally written as a British character, but we adjusted the dialogue we'd already written to suit her. There certainly weren't any commercial considerations in casting an American. I can't speak for Lead Balloon, but my guess is that it wasn't an export consideration there either.
I'd imagine that a British sitcom would go down better in America if it was an all-British cast, as that's surely what they'd expect from a British sitcom. It works both ways. I always disliked the fact that Daphne was Mancunian in Frasier, especially when her so-called English friends turned up in that bar, and Anthony LaPaglia, who couldn't do the English accent at all, despite being Australian.
On Saturday 21st October 2006 GMT at 2:58 PM GMT, Wheeler said:
Quote: Matthew Stott @ October 20, 2006, 5:37 PMThis is a great show, well written, well performed and very funny. I really cant believe that so many people are slamming it on here. Oh, wait, sorry; im on an internet chat room. Forgot where I was for a moment, of course theres going to be over the top slagging going on. Carry on. My apologies.
You should read all the comments before making such a sweeping statement. Only a couple of people criticised it - a few people (myself included) liked it, so not sure where you get the idea that there is a lot of OTT slagging going on.
On Saturday 21st October 2006 GMT at 6:14 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
ok, sorry sir.
On Sunday 22nd October 2006 GMT at 5:27 PM GMT, Jay72 said:
If there's any reason to watch it, its for the cafe owner (I forget his name) and the painful interaction between himself and Rick. Very funny. Love the teaspoon episode.
On Sunday 22nd October 2006 GMT at 5:36 PM GMT, zooo said:
Tony Gardner!
He's ace, and was in The Thick Of It too. I even watch Childrens ITV for him.
On Sunday 22nd October 2006 GMT at 6:32 PM GMT, Jay72 said:
Quote: zooo @ October 22, 2006, 1:36 PMTony Gardner!
He's ace, and was in The Thick Of It too. I even watch Childrens ITV for him.
Thanks for the info! Must watch The Thick of It again.
On Monday 23rd October 2006 GMT at 2:53 PM GMT, Mark Rushton said:
Quote: Matthew Stott @ October 20, 2006, 7:30 PMIm just saying theres can be a middle ground, for this show in particular its the virilance of the nay sayers that surprises me, surely it cant offend anyone that much?
Plus a lot of it isnt about debate really, its about saying this is awful, heres why and im right, or this show is outstanding and heres why and im right. There is no debate really, just a flow of heightened for effect unmovable opinion.
Any kind of debate starts with a point of view this one happens to be mine and you obviously have your own, but if you notice at the end of my comments the word 'Anyone?' as opposed to 'here's why and I'm right'. This then lends to the DEBATE looking for other peoples point of view which most people can grasp without throwing their signed picture of Jack Dee out of the pram!
I think if anyone has a problem with how to express their point of view it may be you ahh don't you think, ahhh a bit, mmmm?
On Monday 23rd October 2006 GMT at 8:52 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Not really, no.
On Friday 27th October 2006 GMT at 12:40 PM GMT, frostyboy said:
I watched the show for the first time last night. I enjoyed it, but I felt it was too much like a British Curb Your Enthusiasm.
On Friday 27th October 2006 GMT at 3:16 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I watched episode 1 (which I had originally missed) last night, and enjoyed it more than the episode which I had seen, #2 I think. Starting to warm to this more. 
On Friday 27th October 2006 GMT at 3:42 PM GMT, Mark said:
Yes, Lead Balloon is certainly a slow burner. I'm really liking it now. For those that haven't heard a second series has been given the go ahead by BBC4 (not that surprising really).
On Friday 27th October 2006 GMT at 3:45 PM GMT, Blenkinsop said:
I also watched this for the first time last night and I really enjoyed it.
Nice pace and good running gags. Well acted and written too. I've seen comparisons to CYE but can't really comment as I haven't seen CYE despite all the good things I've heard about it.
But surely being influenced by another show and style is all part of the game. It happens in all other branches of the 'arts' and as long as it's not outright plagiarism then it's ok by me.
On Friday 27th October 2006 GMT at 3:54 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: Thomps74 @ October 16, 2006, 3:34 PMI see it as the sort of show that could do well on BBC2.
For the record...
MediaGuardian: "The hasty scheduling of Jack Dee's BBC4 hit comedy, Lead Balloon, onto BBC2 also proved popular, with the repeat of the first episode pulling in 2.6 million and an 11.8% share at 9.30pm."
On Saturday 28th October 2006 GMT at 4:05 PM GMT, Bunty Hoven said:
Much as I've enjoyed Jack Dee over the years, I have to concur that Lead Balloon is a poor man's Curb Your Enthusiasm. Not having the show in front of my as I type, I can't be sure, but I seem to remember it even has the twee farcical music that is such a hallmark of Curb. This new series of Extras certainly took a cue from Curb and Seinfeld, but Gervais had the talent to make it his own, whereas I found it hard to enjoy Lead Balloon in the shadow of Larry David. Oh yeah, plus the jokes were few and the characters thin. That too.
Can I go out on a limb and say I actually thought the American writing partner a good addition, even if he is a bit smug? I can? I actually thought the American writing partner a good addition, even if he is a bit smug.
Mental note, never make a joke on a sitcom forum, it'll go down like a ... never mind.
On Thursday 2nd November 2006 GMT at 3:23 AM GMT, Bunty Hoven said:
Just watched the latest episode, realised Curb isn't the only American source of 'inspiration'; see also the silent visual gag at the end ala Frasier as the credits and end music roll.
Let's not steal from the Americans, let's just start showing the Colbert Report on More4 in addition to the Daily Show, one fix of brilliant satire isn't enough for me any more.
On Thursday 2nd November 2006 GMT at 1:14 PM GMT, SlagA said:
Welcome Bunty - even though you look frighteningly like my last girlfriend. I agree with your comments, if an unknown was playing Dee's part, this would have been rejected at the script reading stage (here, i refer to the first episode - surely meant to be the flagship script? - as i couldn't face losing another 30 mins of my life.) Another similarity re: frasier - the handwriting sections are very like the captioning in that show.
The Beeb apparently forced Dee to drop the character of Giles, his often-mistaken for a gay but cultivated brother, and the proposed family dog Teddie. The dog went through fear it would eclipse Dee with its wittier lines.
On Thursday 2nd November 2006 GMT at 10:03 PM GMT, Mark said:
I came across this image the other day (credit goes to b3ta.com):
http://www.themoistness.com/images/repeats.jpg
On Thursday 2nd November 2006 GMT at 10:44 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Haha, very true!
On Saturday 4th November 2006 GMT at 3:50 PM GMT, frostyboy said:
Thursday's BBC2 episode was a rip-off of the Curb Your Enthusiasm episode, where Larry gets in trouble for stealing a fork from a resteraunt.
On Sunday 5th November 2006 GMT at 1:29 AM GMT, Jay72 said:
I like Lead Balloon a lot, but saw an episode of Curb last night I hadn't seen before and the difference is immense. Curb is so near the knuckle while Lead Balloon is much more pleasant in comparison. I was crying with laughter at Larry David while Jack Dee makes me laugh but not as much.
I know its a bit naughty to compare them but it can't be helped.
On Friday 24th November 2006 GMT at 11:54 PM GMT, Leah Bevan said:
Quote: Miranda Walker @ October 12, 2006, 4:04 PMI've heard having an American character helps to sell a show (and novels) to the states. I wonder if that's true, and if people might be tempted to add an American character for this reason? It occured to me when I watched Love Soup, Lead Balloon and Not Going Out, all recent and all with one American. Hmmm...
That would explain a lot, I thought these American's were a bit randomly placed. I have nothing against Americans on the whole (actually that's a lie but a different story) but I really dislike them in British sitcoms. I'm not xenophobic though because I equally dislike Brits in American comedies like Daphne in Frasier and whatever Helen Baxendale's character was called in Friends. Can anyone name a successful transatlantic comedy?
On Monday 10th August 2009 GMT at 6:51 PM GMT, the legend said:
Anyone know if this is getting a 4th series? It is a hugely underrated show.
On Monday 10th August 2009 GMT at 7:15 PM GMT, youngian said:
Won't they be on Series three?
Either way I hope there is one, as it really came together in the extended edition last Christmas. All the characters had more to do and felt the better for it like it was ready to become a much more rounded ensemble comedy instead of them just supporting Rick's antics.
And before being informed yet again this a poor British rip-off of Curb your Enthuiasm, many people we'll be pleased to know the cast are not becoming anything like Cheryl, Jeff or Suzie.
On Monday 10th August 2009 GMT at 7:25 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: youngian @ August 10 2009, 4:15 PM BSTAnd before being informed yet again this a poor British rip-off of Curb your Enthuiasm
Load o' rubbish, that.
On Wednesday 12th August 2009 GMT at 5:45 AM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: the legend @ August 10 2009, 3:51 PM BSTAnyone know if this is getting a 4th series? It is a hugely underrated show.
It's very likely it will get another I think... but, as with pretty much every other big-budget show, it's having to sit in a commissioning queue at the moment (budget reasons, and because the BBC need to find a new comedy commissioner as Lucy Lumsden has left).
On Wednesday 12th August 2009 GMT at 1:27 PM GMT, Chappers said:
Quote: Mark @ August 12 2009, 2:45 AM BST
(budget reasons, and because the BBC need to find a new comedy commissioner as Lucy Lumsden has left).
I'll take over - I need a better job.
On Wednesday 12th August 2009 GMT at 1:29 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: Mark @ August 12 2009, 2:45 AM BSTIt's very likely it will get another I think... but, as with pretty much every other big-budget show, it's having to sit in a commissioning queue at the moment (budget reasons, and because the BBC need to find a new comedy commissioner as Lucy Lumsden has left).
They should recommission it and transfer it to BBC One. It's a good show that I think could easily find a wider audience.
On Wednesday 12th August 2009 GMT at 1:39 PM GMT, Nogget said:
I could never really enjoy it. They seemed to have most of the elements of a good show, but somehow I failed to laugh. Maybe it was the over-familiarity of some of it; the plots seemed a bit predictable, the eastern-European cleaner was clichéd, the 'look' of it had been done too often, and despite what some here say, I found myself thinking 'Curb' a few times. Also, I couldn't sympathise with Dee's Rick Spleen much, while I could do so with Larry David (just to choose a random comparison).
On Wednesday 26th August 2009 GMT at 4:22 PM GMT, youngian said:
There is a new series as it is filmed down my road and I saw all the equipment lorries, lights and bacon buttie vans this morning.
I shall have a nose on the way home and make nuisance of myself like Rick's annoying neighbour
On Wednesday 26th August 2009 GMT at 6:08 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Not due for another year, apparently. http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/lead_balloon/
On Thursday 27th August 2009 GMT at 12:10 PM GMT, youngian said:
The crew have informed me they are making an advert in the same house as Rick Spleens, so I got that one wrong.
On Thursday 27th August 2009 GMT at 1:14 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Quote: youngian @ August 26 2009, 1:22 PM BSTThere is a new series as it is filmed down my road and I saw all the equipment lorries, lights and bacon buttie vans this morning.
I shall have a nose on the way home and make nuisance of myself like Rick's annoying neighbour
Do you live in the same sort of house as Rick Spleen?