Lead Balloon - Series 3 Page 11

Quote: Aaron @ December 11 2008, 10:31 PM GMT

Another great episode. Although I really have to say that when it genuinely isn't his fault, I'd like Rick to come out on top for once.

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I couldn't agree more.

The whole premis of the plot-lines (just as they are in Curb Your Enthusiasm, and to a lesser extent Extras) is that Rick is 'undone' by his own, albeit faintly laudable, 'failings'.

At a pinch you could say it was because he didn't post the package when he should have done - too busy trying to put 'Spikey' off - but actually that was down to the daugters laziness.

It's just not as satisfying some how. Hubris has to be earnt, in my book.

Quote: Lazzard @ December 12 2008, 11:04 AM GMT

It's just not as satisfying some how. Hubris has to be earnt, in my book.

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I agree but I think his wife bursting into laughter about it in the car sort of rescued it.

Bloody hell! An episode that was actually funny, with a good storyline and everything! It's only taken them two and a half series!

The bit with the packaged phone in the theatre was a great bit of business.

I thought that was the best episode of the series and the phone in the parcel was great as it wasn't predictable or telegraphed.

I'm not sure about him coming out on top more often, the character is quite selfish in many ways (tight with money, egotistic, embellisher) so they do a karma thing where he kind of gets what he deserves.

No one said anything about "more often". That would defeat the point of the show. Just not ALWAYS still be shitted on when it's not actually, for once, his fault.

Quote: john lucas 101 @ December 12 2008, 11:54 AM GMT

Bloody hell! An episode that was actually funny, with a good storyline and everything! It's only taken them two and a half series!

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If you don't find it funny, why have you stuck with it for two and a half series?

Quote: Afinkawan @ December 12 2008, 9:39 AM GMT

I'm glad Sam and Ben got back together, they're much better as a double act and that Spikey guy would have gotten very annoying after more than one episode.

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We wouldn't want an annoying character in LB would we, it would ruin all the peace and f**king.

Quote: Lazzard @ December 12 2008, 11:04 AM GMT

The whole premis of the plot-lines (just as they are in Curb Your Enthusiasm, and to a lesser extent Extras) is that Rick is 'undone' by his own, albeit faintly laudable, 'failings'.

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Isn't the big difference between Curb and Lead that when things go wrong for Rick, he seems to suffer and squirm. When things go wrong for Larry he not only doesn't seem to care, but seems to derive pleasure from f**king up and putting peoples backs up.

Quote: chipolata @ December 15 2008, 10:40 AM GMT

Isn't the big difference between Curb and Lead that when things go wrong for Rick, he seems to suffer and squirm. When things go wrong for Larry he not only doesn't seem to care, but seems to derive pleasure from f**king up and putting peoples backs up.

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Yes, Curb is certainly driven to a large extent by the belligerence of the Larry David character, a facet which Rick Spleen doesn't possess.

Really enjoyed last nights episode, thought it was the second good one in a row. Looks like they've put some effort into the storylines and it's paying off. Great stuff!

I actually agree with Aaron on this.

I think every now and then Rick should win one, even Larry wins the occasional one in Curb.

As much as I like Lead Balloon I can't help feeling it's bit flat - there is no great change of pace and there's no great variation in the style of humour which, for me, makes most of the episodes meld into one fairly unmemorable whole.

I'm entertained when I'm watching it but if you were to ask me the next day what the highlights were I would struggle. I think a major difference with Curb is that Curb has more extreme situations, reactions etc.

Alllso, pretty much EVERYONE around Larry is an unreasonable, easily offended arsehole, including his wife, often. Whereas Rick is pretty much surrounded by normal, reasonable people.

ANOTHER thing that annoys me (this may well have been mentioned before) is the arbitary inclusion of an American, just so they can get a bit of that 'wise-ass' vibe in the hope it'll feel like some razor sharp US sitcom.

That tall oriental looking girl was quite interesting.

And Jack was saying on Graham Norton about selling the series to the States.

"Who would you like to play you?" asked Norton.

"Me" replied Dee.

Was she oriental looking? You mean the one the American fancied...?

I loved that Magda (if that be her name) has a crush on him! I didn't see that coming at all.