What is this program? British comedy series
When and where? premieres Sept. 8, 10 p.m., on BBC America
Who should watch this program? faux intellectuals, homeless comedians
So how is it? Promoted as Curb Your Enthusiasm U.K. style, Lead Balloon weakly apes the improvisations of HBO's innovative program. Jack Dee stars as Rick Spleen, a disaffected comedy writer and host of People Do the Dumbest Things (not that you'd know he's a comedian from his moribund demeanor) as he navigates the meanderings of modern life. He's got an American best friend (easily the snarkiest character in this ensemble), a frustrated live-in girlfriend, and a stereotypical Eastern European cleaning lady. The running gag of the debut episode is the lack of teaspoons in Spleen's kitchen. This setup could birth comedy genius, but here it barely registers a pulse, let alone an IQ. When Spleen's complaint at the newspaper-delivery office turns to questioning his marital status and then the assumption that he's gay, the scene simply ends in exasperation. The potential for outrageousness is ignored, or perhaps overlooked. The fundamental problem is Dee's constant grimacing. His character's attitude is the polar opposite of Larry David's blissfully offensive ignorance. Rick Spleen hates the world, and the world hates him back. Deservedly so.
Do you want to save this program or delete? DELETELabels: BBC AMERICA, comedy |
