Michael Spicer: Before Next Door

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What happens when a socially awkward part-time comedian becomes an internet sensation?

What happens when a socially awkward and neurotic part-time comedian becomes a global internet sensation?

What happens when a socially awkward and neurotic part-time comedian becomes a global internet sensation? Michael Spicer: Before Next Door charts Michael's real-life progress - sort of - as his Room Next Door videos amass tens of millions of views online and win him acclaim for his comedy, at last.

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Michael Spicer: Before Next Door: Series 1: Cheesy Strings

Cheesy Strings

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 - Michael Spicer: Before Next Door, Series 1, Cheesy Strings

An odd A-List invite for the Room Next Door Man and an audition - to play a cheesy string.

Michael’s Room Next Door character being mentioned in parliament brings an A-List invite that tests his principles even more than an audition to play a cheesy string.

His Room Next Door videos are getting tens of millions of views online, a mention in the House of Commons and plaudits from highbrow cultural commentators so, by rights, Michael should be drowning in big money offers. But, in reality, he’s sat at his desk writing copy for a kitchen worktop company worrying about the restructuring consultant they’ve brought in. Getting the axe would be catastrophic for Michael and his family. 

This strange position is heightened when A-list British actor Emily Mallaby contacts Michael to invite him to a political dinner party at home. She is starting a new movement to shake up Westminster and wants the famous Room Next Door Man, who lampoons cabinet members so mercilessly, to spearhead the campaign. 

At the same time, Michael’s wife Roberta is channelling her energy into hustling for Michael as a distraction from having to make a work friend redundant. She secures him  an audition for a potentially lucrative commercial. OK, the role is to play a cheesy string, but a gig’s a gig and shows that Michael should take Roberta’s ambitions to be his manager seriously. 

Unfortunately, he fails to acknowledge her skills and they have a massive falling out, just as he needs his wife’s advice on the work situation. Michael tries to enlist his eldest son, Sam’s help to extract that advice, but he’s useless. Perhaps Daddy is expecting too much of a nine-year old?

Both the audition and the political dinner party test Michael’s patience and integrity but fortunately Peter Curran is on hand to reassure and unnerve him in equal measure. Can Michael emerge with his principles intact and what will happen when Roberta’s ex-colleague Alexandra turns up at her doorstep while Michael is gallivanting with the A-Listers? 

Continuing to listen to this excellent comedy series will not only answer those questions, but also make it more likely that Michael will never have to go back to his office job. So please continue to listen. After this, there’s only more episode and the tension just keeps on mounting. As do the jokes. 


Cast: Michael Spicer with Ellie Taylor, Joanna Neary, Beattie Edmondson, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Peter Curran and Kipp Spicer. 

Writer: Michael Spicer 

Producer: Matt Tiller 

A Starstruck and Tillervision production for BBC Radio 4

Michael Spicer: Before Next Door: Series 1

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Comedy: Sitcoms

Office bod by day, Room Next Door Man by night. His road to fame is paved with anxiety.

The neurotic part-time comedian finally wins acclaim for his Room Next Door videos. But can he cash in or will his ambitions crash in a mountain of social awkwardness?

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