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 1, Episode 2 - Wayne

The Spleen household has a teaspoon shortage and Rick decides to take matters into his own hands by stealing some from Michael's café, with unfortunate consequences.

Further details

Rick is also forced to take the toaster back to the local electrical shop, where he has a run-in with the exceptionally sarcastic electrician.

At work, Rick has agreed to present a You've Been Framed-style DVD, but neither he nor his writing partner Marty can come up with any decent links.

All of this is compounded by Rick's insomnia, caused by the paperboy, Wayne, who is very punctual, very noisy and (according to the stroppy newsagent) has a brain the size of a walnut.

Broadcast details

Date
Wednesday 11th October 2006
Time
10:30pm
Channel
BBC Four
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
Steven Alvey Peter Root
Matthew Crompton Björn
Ewen MacIntosh Electrical Shop Man
Vicki Pepperdine Newsagent
James Cormack Wayne
Writing team
Jack Dee Writer
Pete Sinclair Writer
Production team
Alex Hardcastle Director
Alex Hardcastle Producer
Addison Cresswell Executive Producer
Andrew Beint Executive Producer
Lucy Lumsden Executive Producer
Russell Beeden Editor
Gordon Whistance Production Designer

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