After 20 years of making comedy under the radar, Michael Spicer is on the cusp of leaving the office behind and - with the help of his wife Roberta - making a living out of being funny. But will an ordinary person like Michael be able to successfully navigate the unpredictable road to fame?
There is always the risk a comedian-led mockumentary like this will tip into self-indulgence, especially when the central character is so insular and inward-looking, but there's a big enough dollop of quirk in Before Next Door to make it feel fresh and funny. Even the meta moments - acknowledging a flashback or the artifice of a sound effect - are done with a light, deft touch.
