CREATE TABLE table_204_981 (id DECIMAL, "ep#" DECIMAL, "title" TEXT, "broadcast date" TEXT, "written by" TEXT, "directed by" TEXT)

title of the episode that came before the one directed by bob balaban
SELECT "title" FROM table_204_981 WHERE "ep#" = (SELECT "ep#" FROM table_204_981 WHERE "directed by" = 'bob balaban') - 1
SELECT "title" FROM "table_204_981" WHERE "ep#" = (SELECT "ep#" FROM "table_204_981" WHERE "directed by" = 'bob balaban') - 1