A lot of comparisons to Curb Your Enthusiasm. I can understand that to some extent but the characters are a lot different and of what I've seen of Curb, the stories in Lead Balloon are different.

Very amusing stuff each episode. How someone can judge something after seeing one episode as another reviewer did. If that was the case, I wouldn't be a 24 fan.

'Curb Your Enthusiasm' without the jewishness. Quirky characters and very funny.

As for jesperson's review. Why would you buy a DVD without knowing why you wanted it? It is a very fynny thing to do. I can only assume that YOU are really Jack Dee?

This is brilliant. So well written and superbly delivered. Rick Spleen is such an excellent character, but what an arse. Well done.

Lead Balloon is not fynny. I've bought this DVD for some reason, and I'm gonna throw it away after seeing just one episode. I didn't even smile once. It's extremely un-fynny!

I've just recently heard and seen Lead Balloon for the first time and i've been hooked ever since.
Each episode is quite unique with many expierence's that most people may have encountered within their own life's.

After watching a couple of episodes i knew i had to buy this DVD, and it's been way better than i had imagined, i recomend this very highly to anyone who enjoys life-like comedy - Jack Dee at his best.

Nicky.

Rick Spleen is the funniest tragic neurotic since Basil Fawlty. He lives his life in a state of constant discomfort, and even his good deeds go unrewarded as his selfish ulterior motives become apparent. An excellent portrayal of a tortured, cynical human being. This is British social satire at its very best.

As another reviewer mentioned, this is a bad imitation of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm'. I sat through this first series hoping it would get better, but it didn't. I think the two fundamental problems are that (1) it's just not funny enough, and (2) Jack Dee's character is wholly unlikeable, so you can't sympathise with him. Plus, the supporting players are very one-dimensional.

In a nutshell: unless you unreservedly love Jack Dee, avoid this and just watch Curb - it's a far better use of your time and money.

This has to be one of the most underrated comedies on TV in the last few years. Jack Dee is likeably unlikeable in this comedy. It's transfer to BBC2 is justified. I hope they commission a third series.

Anyone searching for a half-assed, hackneyed formulaic 99% unfunny attempt to create a British "Curb Your Enthusisasm" - this is for you. Anyone who likes decent comedy - beware. Comparisons with the quality of "The Office" and "Extras" are wholly inappropriate, and Jack Dee should stick to stand-up.

Jack Dee excels himself as both writer and star of this superb comedy. You will cringe at Rick Spleen as he tries so hard each week to cope with the problems that he creates for himself. Raquel Cassidy plays his long suffering partner Mel, who craves Rick to just use his common sense and Magda his East European home help does very little helping.

Also hilarious is Michael the owner of the local restaurant where Rick and his writing partner Marty end up most days. We don't know a lot about him but it's hinted that he once had a high-powered job in the city but suffered a breakdown and now runs the restaurant.

Rick's weakness is that he is brought down by stupid little things that he should have left well alone; noisy paperboys, broken toasters where it would be easier to buy a new one but he insists on trying to get it fixed ("it's not the fuse").

I defy anyone not to be highly amused by the exploits of Rick Spleen. He is a character that you cannot help but be amused by.