Best tv shows like Lead Balloon
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Lead Balloon is a British television series produced by Open Mike Productions for BBC Four. The series was created and is co-written by comedian Jack Dee and Pete Sinclair. It stars Dee as Rick Spleen, a cynical and misanthropic comedian whose life is plagued by petty annoyances, disappointments and embarrassments. Raquel Cassidy, Sean Power and Tony Gardner also star. The first series 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 of the series were run on BBC Two and BBC HD, bringing it to a larger audience. A second series of eight episodes aired on BBC Two in November 2007, and a third series began airing in November 2008. A fourth and final series commenced broadcast on 31 May 2011 on BBC Two and ended on 5 July. Comparisons were made by critics to the successful American comedy Curb Your Enthusiasm, and positive comments were made about Lead Balloon's characters, particularly 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", written by Noel Gallagher and performed by Paul Weller.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration:
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, cynical, not serious, funny, hilarious, realistic, talky
Best tv shows and movies like Lead Balloon (2006):
Similar in 89%
Pastewka (2005)
Plot Summary:
Pastewka is a German television sitcom that began airing on German TV channel Sat.1 in 2005. The series, currently in its sixth season, is set in Cologne, with German actor Bastian Pastewka starring as a fictionalized version of himself. It has been compared to Seinfeld and Larry David's Curb Your Enthusiasm. The series was awarded, among others, the Rose d'Or and the German Television Prize. Series was directed by Joseph Orr and Jan Markus Linhof.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy
Country: Germany
Duration: 23 min
Plot tags: humorous, sitcom, witty, cynical, not serious, offbeat, realistic, talky, semi serious, fun
Similar in 76%
Mrs. Brown's Boys (2011)
Plot Summary:
Get ready to experience everyone’s favourite mother hen at her most outrageous in her very first Live Tour DVD. Prepare for a riot of bad behaviour as you see Mrs Brown Live and unleashed for the first time in a show jam packed with all the laughs and drama you can expect from the mother of all comedy. Featuring your favourite characters from the series, the live show is even ruder and cruder than the hit TV show and guaranteed loads of big laughs. So if you loved Mrs Brown’s Boys the series you will love Mrs Brown’s Boys Live Tour: Good Mourning Mrs Brown - Too rude for TV.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Comedy
Country: Ireland, UK
Duration: 26 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, witty, not serious, hilarious, offbeat, realistic, live comedy, nostalgic
Similar in 77%
Count Arthur Strong (2013)
Plot Summary:
Count Arthur Strong is a faded star from the golden days of variety, prone to delusions of grandeur, selective memory loss and the blurting out of malapropisms. He was never as famous as he thinks he was... or still thinks he is. Believing that another great entertainment triumph is only a phone call away, Arthur spends his day making the most of any opportunity that comes along - gaining a free lunch or selling a dodgy foot-spa he doesn't want - creating chaos and confusion wherever he goes, blissfully unaware that he has done so.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, not serious, slapstick comedy
Similar in 80%
Maron (2013)
Plot Summary:
Marc Maron has been a comedian for 25 years. He’s had his problems. He was an angry, drunk, self involved, twice divorced compulsive mess for most of his adult life, but with the popularity of a podcast he does in his garage and a life of sobriety, his life and career are turning around. MARON explores a fictionalized version of Marc’s life, his relationships, and his career, including his incredibly popular WTF podcast, which features conversations Marc conducts with celebrities and fellow comedians. Neurosis intact, Maron is uniquely fascinating, absolutely compelling and brutally funny.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 22 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, not serious, talky, funny, mockumentary, dark comedy, hilarious, realistic, independent film
Similar in 83%
House of Fools (2014)
Plot Summary:
Surreal sitcom with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer. A series of anarchic affairs featuring the uninvited lodgers and guests that cause chaos and disruption in their home.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 28 min
Plot tags: sitcom, surreal, humorous, realistic, not serious
Similar in 75%
Cuckoo (2012)
Plot Summary:
Cuckoo is every parent's worst nightmare - a slacker full of outlandish, New Age ideas. Ken is the over-protective father of a girl who's impulsively married an American hippie on her gap year.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, not serious, light, feel good, funny, dark comedy, realistic
Similar in 85%
Friday Night Dinner (2011)
Plot Summary:
Two siblings share their Friday night dinners at their parents home and, somehow, something always goes wrong.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 24 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, not serious, realistic, captivating, light hearted, nostalgic
Similar in 84%
How Not to Live Your Life (2007)
Plot Summary:
How Not to Live Your Life is a British sitcom, written by and starring Dan Clark that aired between 27 September 2007 and 22 December 2011, about a neurotic twenty-nine-year-old man who is trying to navigate his way through life but is not helped by his bad instincts. On 27 May 2011 it was announced by the new BBC Three controller Zai Bennett that the show has been cancelled.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 28 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, not serious, light, funny, feel good, captivating, entertaining, realistic, fun
Similar in 76%
Uncle (2012)
Plot Summary:
Andy is a dissolute out-of work musician who forges an unlikely alliance with his 12-year-old nephew Errol after being morally blackmailed into looking after him by his chaotic sister Sam - all on the day Andy was planning to kill himself. Not a natural with either kids or responsibility, he tries to keep his new charge out of trouble while being knee-deep in it himself.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, not serious, humorous, captivating, light, funny, realistic
Similar in 90%
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (1973)
Plot Summary:
Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em is a BBC situation comedy, written by Raymond Allen and starring Michael Crawford and Michele Dotrice. It was first broadcast in 1973 and ran for three series, ending in 1978. The series follows the accident-prone Frank Spencer and his tolerant, if long-suffering, wife, Betty, through Frank's various attempts to hold down a job, which frequently end in disaster. Noted for its stuntwork, performed by Michael Crawford himself as well as featuring various well-remembered catchphrases, the series was voted #22 in the BBC's poll "Britain's Best Sitcom".
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, not serious, humorous, realistic, melancholic, touching, captivating, atmospheric, offbeat, slapstick
Similar in 81%
Roger & Val Have Just Got In (2010)
Plot Summary:
Roger & Val Have Just Got In is a British sitcom that stars Dawn French and Alfred Molina playing married couple Roger and Val Stevenson. The show premiered on BBC Two on 6 August 2010 and six episodes were broadcast for the first series. The show was created by Dawn French, directed by Jamie Rafn, and written by Beth Kilcoyne and Emma Kilcoyne. Each episode is set in the half hour after Roger and Val arrive home from work. Episodes play out in real time with no laughter track. The deeper issues in the couple's lives are often underplayed by being glossed over in conversation. The longing for escape is a trait prevalent in both characters' personalities. Episode by episode, the series gradually permits the viewer an insight into the reality of Roger and Val's life. Underneath the mundane middle aged couple's daily routine, the viewer becomes aware of a real heartache which both characters avoid talking about but which has altered their life fundamentally: the death of their infant son Christopher. The screenwriters include subtle hints in regard to Roger and Val's heartache - a photo of Val holding a baby, for example - rather than introduce the topic directly. Over the series the viewer slowly realises that both Roger and Val's lives have been devastated.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 401
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 29 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, light, feel good, entertaining, sitcom, sincere, realistic, talky
Similar in 84%
The Fast Show (1994)
Plot Summary:
The Fast Show is a multi BAFTA award winning sketch comedy show written and produced by Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sketch comedy, sitcom, hilarious, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, not serious, fast, offbeat
Similar in 90%
Him & Her (2010)
Plot Summary:
An acutely observed, forensically honest, warts-and-all look at a working-class couple in their mid-20s.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 28 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, sincere, light, feel good, captivating, hilarious, touching, realistic, witty
Similar in 89%
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret (2009)
Plot Summary:
Comedy about an inept American placed in charge of sales at his company's London branch. He has no experience with British culture, knows nothing about sales, and has only one employee, Dave. Each episode begins with a scene of Margaret appearing in dire circumstances.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, not serious, realistic, feel good, entertaining, light, sincere, captivating, funny
Similar in 86%
Siblings (2014)
Plot Summary:
Each week, through their own selfishness and idiocy, we see Hannah and Dan — the worst brother and sister in the world — spectacularly wreck the lives of those around them — old friends, love interests, family members, and the unlucky individuals who just happen to cross their paths.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration:
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, not serious, entertaining, captivating, hilarious, realistic
Similar in 83%
Miranda (2009)
Plot Summary:
Socially inept Miranda always gets into awkward situations; working in her joke shop with best friend Stevie, being hounded by her pushy mother, and especially when she's around her crush Gary.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, witty, not serious, atmospheric, hilarious, feel good, game show
Similar in 78%
Pete versus Life (2010)
Plot Summary:
Pete versus Life is a Channel 4 sitcom created by George Jeffrie and Bert Tyler-Moore. It stars Rafe Spall and the first episode was aired on 6 August 2010. It was recommissioned for a second series after averaging 1.6 million viewers and a young demographic during its first run, and series two started airing on 21 October 2011.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 891
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, surreal, not serious, light, feel good, captivating, dark comedy, offbeat, realistic
Similar in 87%
Hello Ladies (2013)
Plot Summary:
Stuart Pritchard is an awkward, overly-confident Englishman trying to date in Los Angeles – where he repeatedly attempts to infiltrate the world of beautiful people.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 29 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, cynical, light, feel good, captivating, offbeat, entertaining, dark comedy, realistic
Similar in 81%
In with the Flynns (2011)
Plot Summary:
In with the Flynns is a British sitcom created by Caryn Mandabach, produced by Caryn Mandabach Productions, and broadcast by the BBC. The first series began broadcast on 8 June 2011 for six episodes on BBC One and in high definition on BBC One HD in the United Kingdom. It is an adaptation of the American series Grounded for Life. Set in Manchester in northern England, the series stars Will Mellor as Liam Flynn, Niky Wardley as his wife Caroline, and Nadine Rose Mulkerrin, Daniel Rogers, and Lorenzo Rodriguez as their children, Chloe, Steve, and Mikey. Other characters include Liam's brother Tommy and Liam and Tommy's father Jim. Originally given the working title of Meet the Doyles, this was changed during production. The theme song is "For Anyone" by the band Beady Eye. On 22 December 2011, Will Mellor confirmed in an interview that the show had been given a second series, which was filmed and broadcast in 2012. Taping took place at the new MediaCityUK in Salford and the second series, of six episodes, began on BBC One on 17 August 2012. On 30 October 2012, it was reported that BBC One had cancelled In With The Flynns.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 204
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, feel good, light, captivating, realistic, not serious
Similar in 79%
Real Husbands of Hollywood (2013)
Plot Summary:
Comedian and actor, Kevin Hart teams up with BET Networks to bring viewers one of the funniest shows on television "Real Husbands of Hollywood". The semi-scripted series is the fakest reality show ever following these men of Hollywood along their surreal lives. Enjoy the ride as these guys take on all things, from the husband's point of view. You may recognize some situations or characters from those other reality shows.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 21 min
Plot tags: parody, humorous, mockumentary, feel good, captivating, light, funny, sitcom, realistic, not serious
Similar in 82%
British Men Behaving Badly (1992)
Plot Summary:
Men Behaving Badly is a British sitcom that was created and written by Simon Nye. It follows the lives of Gary Strang and his flatmates, Dermot Povey and Tony Smart. It was first broadcast on ITV in 1992. A total of six series were made along with a Christmas special and three final episodes that make up the feature-length "last orders". The series was filmed in and around Ealing in west London and the final scene of series six was filmed at the Cerne Abbas giant. The setting however is implied to be South London and many references are made to Surrey. It was produced by Hartswood Films, and Thames Television co-produced the first two series for ITV. They also assisted with production of the third series onwards that aired on the BBC. After being moved to a post-watershed slot on BBC1, Men Behaving Badly became highly successful. It was voted the best sitcom in the BBC's history at BBC Television's 60th anniversary celebrations in 1996. It also came sixteenth in the Britain's Best Sitcom poll commissioned in 2004 on BBC2. It has also won the Comedy Awards' best ITV comedy, and the first National Television Award for Situation Comedy.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, talky, not serious, realistic, witty, offbeat, sexual, sexy
Similar in 86%
Legit (2013)
Plot Summary:
Jim Jefferies, an edgy, foul-mouthed stand-up comedian from Australia, in his mid-30s and living in LA, is endeavoring to make his life and career more “legit,” only to find it a difficult, uncomfortable uphill struggle every step of the way. Jim is encouraged in his quest by Steve, his neurotic best friend and roommate, a cyber-law library salesman who struggles to stay on his feet in the wake of a divorce, and Steve’s brother Billy, who suffers from advanced staged Muscular Dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: humorous, cynical, not serious, sitcom, funny, offbeat, realistic, talky
Similar in 87%
Twenty Twelve (2011)
Plot Summary:
Twenty Twelve is a BBC television comedy series written and directed by John Morton. Starring Hugh Bonneville, Jessica Hynes and Amelia Bullmore, the programme is a spoof on-location documentary following the organisation of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. It was first broadcast on UK television station BBC Four in March 2011 to coincide with the 500 day countdown to the opening ceremony. Twenty Twelve gained mainly positive reviews from critics, and a four-part second series was announced on 15 April 2011, which began airing on 30 March 2012 on BBC Two. A further three episodes of series 2 began airing from 10 July 2012. The series' last episode was broadcast on 24 July 2012, three days before the opening ceremony of the London Olympic Games.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, mockumentary, humorous, semi serious, realistic, talky, fake documentary
Similar in 76%
Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge (2010)
Plot Summary:
Famous DJ Alan Partridge gives us an insight into what happens behind the microphone at North Norfolk digital radio.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 23 min
Plot tags: clever, humorous, not serious, realistic, witty, talky, sitcom, offbeat, cynical
Similar in 85%
Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000)
Plot Summary:
The off-kilter, unscripted comic vision of Larry David, who plays himself in a parallel universe in which he can't seem to do anything right, and, by his standards, neither can anyone else.
IMDB Rating: 8.8
IMDB Votes: 139000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 28 min
Plot tags: sitcom, funny, humorous, dark comedy, witty, light, hilarious, thought provoking, feel good, epic
Similar in 75%
Life's Too Short (2011)
Plot Summary:
Life's Too Short is a British sitcom mockumentary created and written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant from an idea by Warwick Davis, and is as described by Gervais, about "the life of a showbiz dwarf".
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, mockumentary, funny, humorous, witty, cynical, not serious, light, feel good, captivating
Similar in 83%
Extras (2005)
Plot Summary:
Andy Millman gave up his day job five years ago in the hope of achieving the big time, but he’s yet to land a speaking part, let alone saunter down the red carpet to pick up an Oscar. He remains optimistic however, as rubbing shoulders with the A-list on-set only serves to reinforce his belief that the big time is just a job or two away.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 60000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, witty, cynical, not serious, funny, mockumentary, hilarious, light, feel good
Similar in 84%
I'm Alan Partridge (1997)
Plot Summary:
I'm Alan Partridge is a BBC situation comedy starring Steve Coogan, of which two series of six episodes each were produced — the first in 1997 and the second in 2002. The series followed the titular Alan Partridge, a failed television presenter whose previous exploits had featured in the chat-show parody Knowing Me, Knowing You with Alan Partridge, and who is now presenting a programme on local radio in Norwich. Both series were written by Peter Baynham, Coogan and Armando Iannucci; supporting Coogan were Felicity Montagu as his faithful, mouse-like personal assistant, Lynn Benfield; Simon Greenall as Geordie Travel Tavern handyman/BP garage attendant Michael; and Phil Cornwell as disc jockey Dave Clifton. It has been well received by both critics and fans, and was nominated for three BAFTAs, two British Comedy Award, and a Royal Television Society award.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 29 min
Plot tags: sitcom, hilarious, clever, offbeat, humorous, realistic, witty, talky, cynical, not serious
Similar in 75%
Peep Show (2003)
Plot Summary:
Peep Show is an award-winning British sitcom starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb. The television programme is written by Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, with additional material by Mitchell and Webb amongst others. It has been broadcast on Channel 4 since 2003. The show's eighth series makes it the longest-returning comedy in Channel 4 history. Stylistically, the show uses point of view shots with the thoughts of main characters Mark and Jeremy audible as voiceovers. Peep Show follows the lives of two men from their twenties to thirties, Mark Corrigan, who has steady employment for most of the series, and Jeremy "Jez" Usbourne, an unemployed would-be musician. The pair met at the fictional Dartmouth University, and now share a flat in Croydon, South London. Mark is initially a loan manager at the fictional JLB Credit, later becoming a waiter, and then a bathroom supplies salesman. He is financially secure, but awkward and socially inept, with a pessimistic and cynical attitude. Jeremy, having split up with his girlfriend Big Suze prior to the first episode, now lives in Mark's spare room. He usually has a much more optimistic and energetic outlook on the world than Mark, yet his self-proclaimed talent as a musician has yet to be recognised, and he is not as popular or attractive as he would like to think himself, although he is more successful with the opposite sex than Mark.
IMDB Rating: 8.7
IMDB Votes: 65000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, funny, feel good, witty, not serious, buddy comedy, light, entertaining, satirical
Similar in 89%
Black Books (2000)
Plot Summary:
Black Books centres around the foul tempered and wildly eccentric bookshop owner Bernard Black. Bernard’s devotion to the twin pleasures of drunkenness and wilful antagonism deepens and enriches both his life and that of Manny, his assistant. Bearded, sweet and good, Manny is everything that Bernard isn’t and is punished by Bernard relentlessly just for the crime of existing. They depend on each other for meaning as Fran, their oldest friend, depends on them for distraction. Black Books is a haven of books, wine and conversation, the only threat to the group’s peace and prosperity is their own limitless stupidity.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 61000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 25 min
Plot tags: humorous, sitcom, talky, not serious, offbeat, witty, surreal, realistic, funny, hilarious