British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
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. Also features Raquel Cassidy, Sean Power, Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Rasmus Hardiker, Tony Gardner and Anna Crilly

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All series

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

Series 1 (2006)

We meet Rick for the first time as he fronts a lame Government TV recycling campaign which backfires spectacularly.

Lead Balloon. Image shows from L to R: Magda (Anna Crilly), Ben (Rasmus Hardiker), Mel (Raquel Cassidy), Sam (Antonia Campbell-Hughes), Rick Spleen (Jack Dee). Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Series 2 (2007 - 2008)

From the points on his driving licence, to a run-in with a children's entertainer - life was the usual bundle of worries for Rick in Series 2.

Lead Balloon. Image shows from L to R: Rick Spleen (Jack Dee), Mel (Raquel Cassidy), Magda (Anna Crilly), Ben (Rasmus Hardiker), Michael (Tony Gardner), Sam (Antonia Campbell-Hughes), Marty (Sean Power). Copyright: Open Mike Productions

Series 3 (2008)

Magda practically moved in, Ben and Sam temporarily split up, and Rick got himself into all kinds of new embarrassing situations in the third series.

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

Series 4 (2011)

Rick's career hit an all-time low - even by his own dismal standards. From public humiliation on live TV to private embarrassment at a Comedy Workshop, it seems that everything Rick touches turns to mould.

List all episodes

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