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DVD Description
Jack Dee stars as Rick Spleen, a successful but world-weary stand-up comedian who spends too much of his time hosting corporate events in the BBC comedy sitcom, Lead Balloon.
Rick and Marty, his American co-writer, spend their days arguing, drinking too much coffee, and devising work avoidance strategies.
Further distractions are provided by Magda, Rick’s home help, his show-biz agent wife Mel, their teenage daughter Sam and her feckless boyfriend Ben.
Lead Balloon is co-written by Jack Dee and Pete Sinclair. This DVD includes all six episodes in series 1.
Episode 1: "Rubbish" - Rick fronts a lame government TV recycling campaign which backfires spectacularly. He falls out with café-owner Michael over a homemade fruitcake, and has a full-on row with unhinged baby-present shopkeeper Maureen.
Episode 2: "Wayne" - A teaspoon crisis in the Spleen household leads Rick to petty theft. Meanwhile, Rick's sleep is disturbed by the paperboy, Wayne, who is very punctual, very noisy and has a brain the size of a walnut.
Episode 3: "£5,000" - Rick gets in a punch-up at an awards ceremony and ends up with a black eye. Marty is preparing to pitch a programme to the BBC and Michael is delighted that Rick has accidentally sponsored him a small fortune for his Skipathon.
Episode 4: "Allergic" - Rick discovers he may have inadvertently killed one of Britain's best-loved entertainers, but he's preoccupied by a missing shoe-organiser. Meanwhile Rick prepares for upcoming appearance on topical news panel show Bullet in the News.
Episode 5: "Pistachio" - Rick buys himself a scooter but worries that it makes him look gay. Hosting the Air Conditioning and Climate Control Awards goes disastrously, and a trip to the local dry cleaner ends in a heated argument.
Episode 6: "Fatty" - Rick is publicly humiliated on TV by daytime chat-show host Adam Green. He also has an unfortunate encounter with an acquaintance at the gym, and Ben manages to destroy Rick's brand new DVD player by taking the back off.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2.4 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: 2-DVD Set, Behind the scenes, Commentary, Deleted Scenes, Featurette, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: Jack Dee stars as Rick Spleen, a successful but world-weary stand-up comedian who spends too much of his time hosting corporate events in the BBC comedy sitcom, Lead Balloon. Rick and Marty, his American co-writer, spend their days arguing, drinking too much coffee, and devising work avoidance strategies. Further distractions are provided by Magda, Rick's home help, his show-biz agent wife Mel, their teenage daughter Sam and her feckless boyfriend Ben. Lead Balloon is co-written by Jack Dee and Pete Sinclair. This DVD includes all six episodes in series 1. Episode 1: "Rubbish" - Rick fronts a lame government TV recycling campaign which backfires spectacularly. He falls out with café-owner Michael over a homemade fruitcake, and has a full-on row with unhinged baby-present shopkeeper Maureen. Episode 2: "Wayne" - A teaspoon crisis in the Spleen household leads Rick to petty theft. Meanwhile, Rick's sleep is disturbed by the paperboy, Wayne, who is very punctual, very noisy and has a brain the size of a walnut. Episode 3: "£5,000" - Rick gets in a punch-up at an awards ceremony and ends up with a black eye. Marty is preparing to pitch a programme to the BBC and Michael is delighted that Rick has accidentally sponsored him a small fortune for his Skipathon. Episode 4: "Allergic" - Rick discovers he may have inadvertently killed one of Britain's best-loved entertainers, but he's preoccupied by a missing shoe-organiser. Meanwhile Rick prepares for upcoming appearance on topical news panel show Bullet in the News. Episode 5: "Pistachio" - Rick buys himself a scooter but worries that it ma...Lead Balloon - Series One - 2-DVD Set ( Lead Balloon - Series 1 )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is British TV comedy at its best, but only if you like this sort of thing! After all, my wife likes Jack Dee but can't stand the excruciating situations in which Rick Spleen finds himself. But I love it... the writing is superb, never overstated, rarely obvious, unlike some of the 'trusty' yet predictable sitcoms the BBC recommissions again and again. Lead Balloon's characters, which all develop nicely in the later series, are a major reason for its success. If you like Fawlty Towers and The Office, you'll probably like Lead Balloon.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I might even sue Jack Dee for damage to my ribs with laughing so much!
Very clever, very dry and very black at times - but watchable over and over again.
Very clever, very dry and very black at times - but watchable over and over again.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It's very unfair to describe "Lead Balloon" as a fifth rate "Curb Your Enthusiasm." To be more accurate, it's a second rate "Curb Your Enthusiasm", which means that while it doesn't reach the dizzying heights of Larry David's show it's still one of the best sitcoms on TV at the moment.
Like "Curb" it relies on the social ineptitude of its lead (and the spiraling consequences of his actions) for its laughs, but while it lacks Larry David's spark of genius it has something "Curb" doesn't - an equally well-rounded supporting cast. Magda is a great character as is the dopey Ben and witty American sidekick. And the passive-aggressive cafe owners's performance is a joy to watch. So while "Lead Balloon" may not reach classic status it's certainly bears watching repeatedly and is a welcome addition to anyone's DVD collection.
Like "Curb" it relies on the social ineptitude of its lead (and the spiraling consequences of his actions) for its laughs, but while it lacks Larry David's spark of genius it has something "Curb" doesn't - an equally well-rounded supporting cast. Magda is a great character as is the dopey Ben and witty American sidekick. And the passive-aggressive cafe owners's performance is a joy to watch. So while "Lead Balloon" may not reach classic status it's certainly bears watching repeatedly and is a welcome addition to anyone's DVD collection.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Lead Balloon series 1 and 2
I just love Lead Balloon, I have just brought series 1 and 2, and would recommend these two DVDs. All the characters are really good and this is a joy to watch.
Published 14 months ago by cm53
Great comedy, well worth watching
I have been a big fan of 'Lead Balloon' since the first episode, its a well written and very funny comedy. Read more
Published 17 months ago by A. Davis
a lead balloon? nope
completely hilarious! there have been many comparisons with "Curb Your Enthusiasm", but this is less autobiographical, and more low key. Read more
Published 22 months ago by A. C. Smith
What a gem of a sitcom!
What a joy to find this sitcom. We came across it quite by chance when surfing the TV channels at 3am when we couldn't sleep. Read more
Published 24 months ago by K. Miller
One of the best comedies for years
Rick Spleen is a failed comedy writer who is forced to do all the kinds of TV jobs no-one else wants (dressing up as the Earth and having muck tipped over him in a programme about... Read more
Published 24 months ago by StormSworder
Comedy as good as it gets!
Brilliant series - well drawn characters. Definitely worth purchasing if you missed the TV series. Jack Dee at his best!
Published on 24 Jan 2010 by Mrs. June Clark
possibly the best sitcom of recent years
Firstly lets get the Curb Your Enthusiasm comparisons out of the way - it's nothing like it. If we accept the conceit that it is, then it is at the very least subtler and... Read more
Published on 29 Dec 2009 by James M. Lewis
Jack Dee - Lead Bal^loon
Usually when a comedian does a 'sit com' it can be a bit hit and miss - Jack Dee hit it out of the park! Read more
Published on 31 Aug 2009 by Rosie Harper
Best Comedy In Ages
In my opinion Lead Balloon is the best comedy around.
Jack Dee is probably the best comedian around, and also of the best comedy writers. Read more
Jack Dee is probably the best comedian around, and also of the best comedy writers. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 2009 by A Customer
Simply brilliant...
If you like the Office and Curb Your Enthusiasm, this is right up your street! Yet another outstanding comedy about an idiot in embarassing situations... Read more
Published on 15 April 2009 by S. Seal
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