Lead Balloon

*Lead Balloon* is a British television series produced by Open Mike Productions for BBC Four. Created and co-written by comedian Jack Dee and Pete Sinclair, the show stars Dee as Rick Spleen, a cynical and misanthropic comedian whose life is filled with petty annoyances, disappointments, and embarrassments. Raquel Cassidy, Sean Power, and Tony Gardner also star. The first series, consisting of six episodes, was broadcast on BBC Four in 2006, with the first episode achieving the highest ratings for a comedy on the channel. Repeats were later shown on BBC Two and BBC HD, expanding its audience. A second series of eight episodes aired on BBC Two in November 2007, followed by a third series beginning in November 2008. A fourth and final series started on 31 May 2011 on BBC Two and concluded on 5 July. Critics drew comparisons between *Lead Balloon* and the American comedy *Curb Your Enthusiasm*, with positive feedback particularly regarding the character of Magda, the Eastern European housekeeper. The first series was released on DVD in November 2007. The show's theme tune is a cover version of "One Way Road," originally written by Noel Gallagher and performed by Paul Weller.