memorable tv           

TELEVISION

MUSIC

MORE STUFF

LEAD BALLOON

Yay!!! One of the funniest BBC sitcoms of the last couple of years comes to the ABC. Showing on Tuesday nights at 8.00pm the show, co-written by and starring the excellent Jack Dee, the show follows middle aged stand up comic Rick Spleen as he tries to cope with a flagging career - once reasonably popular he is now reduced to helming corporate events, making guest spots on daytime shows and fronting dodgy comedy dvds.

Rick's life is a mass of neuroses and he is constantly putting his foot in it, not helped by the fact that he can't help lying to make himself appear more important than he is or to get out of a difficult situation he has created for himself. Also on the scene is Rick's co-writer, American Marty, Rick's partner Mel, his sloth like teenage daughter Sam and her own even more laid back boyfriend Ben (the up and coming Rasmus Hardiker from Steve Coogan's Saxondale). Another regular is local cafe owner Michael who is very possibly insane.

The dialogue is fantastic, very dry and spot on. Jack Dee us brilliant at playing that got the world on my shoulders, why me attitude. The playing is really what makes it special. Rick himself isn't that funny, in fact he is a miserable git but its the sparking off of everyone around that lifts it into a whole new area.

Definitely not to be missed.

LEAD BALLOON / ABC1 on Tuesdays @ 8.00pm

back to Articles | home

Custom Search

Subscribe to memorable tv for updates,comp news and more or Via Email