Lead Balloon. Rick Spleen (Jack Dee). Copyright: Open Mike Productions
Lead Balloon

Lead Balloon

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two / BBC Four
  • 2006 - 2011
  • 27 episodes (4 series)

Sitcom starring Jack Dee as Rick Spleen, a grumpy misanthropic stand-up comedian whose life is plagued by let downs and embarrassment. Stars Jack Dee, Raquel Cassidy, Sean Power, Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Rasmus Hardiker and more.

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Episode menu

Series 4, Episode 4 - Off

Rick is at his lowest ebb. With no other work on offer, he decides to set up his own stand-up comedy workshop.

Preview clips

Further details

Lead Balloon. Image shows from L to R: Rick Spleen (Jack Dee), Magda (Anna Crilly). Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Rick decides to set up his own stand-up comedy workshop. But the first week's class attracts just five students. Worse still, the second session includes a new wannabe comic - deranged café owner Michael. A disastrous session on how to deal with heckling backfires spectacularly, but hope is on the horizon... in the form of an earnest council executive, Libby.

Meanwhile, Magda is trying to claim compensation after tripping on a paving stone. But it turns out that Rick is the one who's in danger of serious injury...

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 21st June 2011
Time
10pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Jack Dee Rick Spleen
Raquel Cassidy Mel
Sean Power Marty
Antonia Campbell-Hughes Sam
Rasmus Hardiker Ben
Tony Gardner Michael
Anna Crilly Magda
Guest cast
Algina Lipskis Russian Woman
Felicity Montagu Libby (Woman from Council)
Robbie Coltrane Donald
Writing team
Jack Dee Writer
Pete Sinclair Writer
Production team
Alex Hardcastle Director
Alex Hardcastle Producer
Addison Cresswell Executive Producer
Andrew Beint Executive Producer
Liana Del Giudice (as Liana Del Guidice) Editor
Gordon Whistance Production Designer

Video

Magda Gets a Comedy Lesson

Rick teaches Magda the basics of comedy, she attempts a joke about gypsy's which doesn't go down well with Rick.

View this clip on the BBC website

Featuring: Anna Crilly (Magda) & Jack Dee (Rick Spleen).

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