![Lead Balloon. Rick Spleen (Jack Dee). Copyright: Open Mike Productions Lead Balloon. Rick Spleen (Jack Dee). Copyright: Open Mike Productions](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/300x200/l/lead_balloon2.jpg)
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.
Episode menu
Series 4, Episode 4 - Off
Further details
![Lead Balloon. Image shows from L to R: Rick Spleen (Jack Dee), Magda (Anna Crilly). Copyright: Open Mike Productions Lead Balloon. Image shows from L to R: Rick Spleen (Jack Dee), Magda (Anna Crilly). Copyright: Open Mike Productions](https://cdn.comedy.co.uk/images/library/comedies/180x200_eps/l/lead_balloon_episode_0404b.jpg)
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
Jack Dee | Rick Spleen |
Raquel Cassidy | Mel |
Sean Power | Marty |
Antonia Campbell-Hughes | Sam |
Rasmus Hardiker | Ben |
Tony Gardner | Michael |
Anna Crilly | Magda |
Algina Lipskis | Russian Woman |
Felicity Montagu | Libby (Woman from Council) |
Robbie Coltrane | Donald |
Jack Dee | Writer |
Pete Sinclair | Writer |
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).