Michael Spicer: Before Next Door

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BBC Radio 4 FM

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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: To Put It Another Way

To Put It Another Way

Series 1

BBC Radio 4 - Michael Spicer: Before Next Door, Series 1, To Put It Another Way

An excruciating TV panel show experience is also revelatory for the Room Next Door Man.

A panel show run-through makes the Room Next Door Man question his potential for comedy success, just as the work-restructuring process brings surprising news.

Roberta’s networking as Michael’s part-time, unpaid manager is finally paying off, and she is beginning to get her husband some serious industry traction. She lines up an audition for the prestigious topical panel show, To Put It Another Way. Unfortunately, this lands Michael in a bear pit of bullying stand-up comedians who are used to the gladiatorial nature of these shows. Encountering a bitter, aggressive stand-up is enough to put Michael off being a comedian for good. 

As the restructuring process at work comes to a climax (being re-interviewed for the job he already has) Michael is at a very low ebb. Feeling like a comedy failure after acting as a punch bag at the panel show run through, he is now certain he is for the chop. 

In spite of the battering he received in front of an audience at the TV run through, he receives encouragement from stand-up comic Natalie Duke, who gives Michael an idea that might change everything. Could he really could give up the day job?

Roberta is pushing Michael hard to take the plunge and use the platform his Room Next Door following has created to forge a comedy career, with her as his full-time manager, of course. But it seems that she is far more keen to ditch her secure day job than Michael is, especially when his boss at the kitchen worktop company delivers his plan to reorganise the company.

Will Michael take the plunge? Will Roberta take the plunge? Will you take the plunge and give it a listen? It’s the last episode so plunge into the other three first and then plunge into this one as the series reaches a satisfying conclusion that also leaves everything open for another series.

Performers: Michael Spicer with Ellie Taylor, Joanna Neary, Susan Wokoma, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Greig Johnson, Tara Flynn and Peter Curran 

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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Michael Spicer: Before Next Door

Series 1

To Put It Another Way

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