I wrote and did all the art for this, except for “Donald Duck,” for whom credit goes to my editor C.J. Arabia.

–Reid.

Howdy!

I thought I’d indulge in some shameless self promotion here on bttm.net and announce that I’ve got a new gig writing for humor website Smosh.com. In addition to comedy content written by writers like me, Smosh.com serves as the homepage of a famous-on-the-Internet comic duo who are also coincidentally called Smosh. Hmmn… that’s quite a lucky coincidence indeed. Maybe too lucky, if you know what I mean…

Which is a perfect segue into this article I wrote and illustrated about a woman who has been so lucky as to win four different lotteries in less than 20 years (which is true). Unfortunately, her extraordinary luck seems to have caused equally extraordinarily bad luck for those around her (which I made up for humorous effect). Check it out:

Yeah!

–Reid.

Thanks to everyone who came out to Salon des Refusés to support us and drink beer with us!

–Reid.

If you haven’t bought your tickets for Salon des Refusés yet, then you’re in luck! The theater is now offering a special discount! Tickets are now only $5 to see any block of the show, or $12 to see it all! That’s chump change! We kick off the 8pm block this Saturday night, so put Mr. Lincoln to work and buy those tickets with the discount code “accepted“.

–Reid!

In our newest video, the battle between fifth graders and adults three times their size is finally settled! We pit youthful energy against life experience and very, very big muscles! Who will win? Watch Are You Stronger Than A 5th Grader and cheer on your favorite generation!

Are You Stronger Than A 5th Grader? was directed and edited by Ballard C. Boyd, guest stars Li’l Carlos (most recently exploited in our video The Sex Talk), and features Nancy Barbero.

Make sure to check back here (http://bttm.net) soon for our next brand new video!

–Reid.
Reid Levin is Reider Than A 5th Grader.

REJECTEDfest 2010 has changed its name to Salon des Refusés, the Exhibition of Rejects! Don’t worry, Better Than The Machine is still a proud group of rejects in any language! Even French! Vive Better Than The Machine! Nous sommes perdants!

Hmmn… since I have no idea what I just said, I think we’ll stick to performing in English.

“Salon des Refusés takes in the forgotten. This one night only event showcases the overlooked, festival rejected, jilted, shunned sketch groups of the world!”

Better Than The Machine kicks off the last block of Salon des Refusés shows at 8:00 pm on June 12. After us, Foolhardy Manor, Dystopia Gardens (co-everything’d by our stage director Will Nunziata!), and Dominizuelan will each take their rejected acts to the stage for your amusement, whimsy, and tomato target throwing pleasure! Remember to bring your own tomatoes!*

Salon des Refusés takes place at The PIT (The Peoples Improv Theater). The PIT is located at 154 W. 29th St. between 6th & 7th in New York City. Admission is $8; to purchase tickets, visit Brown Paper Tickets.

–Réid.

*Please forget to bring your own tomatoes.

It’s not important to know exactly which NYC sketch comedy festival rejected which hometown sketch comedy group for the fourth year in a row. This year somebody noticed that if they put together the best rejected comedy groups, they could hold one hell of another comedy festival. Better Than The Machine is proud to be a part of the first ever REJECTEDfest! It’s just like that other sketch comedy festival in NYC, but one block over and a couple blocks up.

REJECTEDfest 2010 starts at 6:00 pm on Saturday, June 12. There are three blocks of shows, each with four groups that perform 15 minutes of material. It will be held at The PIT (The Peoples Improv Theater).

We kick off the last block of shows at 8:00 pm. We’ll be doing 15 minutes of material. After us, Foolhardy Manor, Dystopia Gardens, and Dominizuelan will perform for 15 minutes each. Of particular interest in our block (other than our own REJECTED selves) is Dystopia Gardens, a sketchplay co-written by and co-starring our stage director Will Nunziata. The last block is gonna rock!

REJECTEDfest 2010 is playing at The PIT (The Peoples Improv Theater). The PIT is located at 154 W. 29th St. between 6th & 7th in NYC. For more information and ticketing, visit The PIT’s website.

–Reidjected.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Okay, I’ll admit we’re a little early for Mother’s Day. But it’s almost here and we just couldn’t wait to dedicate this video to the most important gals in our lives: our moms.

In this video, you’ll learn about what it’s like to be a single mother… of an adult cat. You’ll also learn what it’s like to be the boyfriend of of a single mother… of an adult cat. You know what, while we’re at it, we’ll just go ahead and dedicate this to all the mothers out there, no matter what kind of beasts your children may be.

“Sexy Cat Mom” was directed and edited by Ballard C. Boyd and guest starred Marcus Reynolds.

Make sure to keep an eye on bttm.net for our next brand new video! Also, we’ve got an announcement to make this week about a certain festival in New York City that showcases sketch comedy groups. And the story of a little girl who stole our logo… and how we dealt with her–only on bttm.net this week!

Heeeeey!

Great news: Bobby Fitzsimmons is back! Don’t worry if you don’t know him yet; consider this your introduction!

Bobby’s using a camera he found in the trash to vlog: today he answers some email. Maybe he’ll answer you in his next vlog if you leave him a note!

“Bobby Fitzsimmons’ Vlog: Episode 1″ was directed and edited by Ballard C. Boyd. It is based on the character created by Better Than The Machine and Will Nunziata.

Oh, and if you never saw Bobby’s first adventure as the good guy who saved everybody from the terrorism by seeing something and saying something back in 2007, take a look at our old video “See Something, Say Something”! It’s funny, but also kind of sad. Mostly funny.

Bobby’s going to have some more adventures soon, but before then, we’ve got some other hilarious videos on the burner that we can’t wait to show you! Make sure to check http://bttm.net soon, and don’t let the machine get you down!

–Reid.

Our sexy new “Med School Porn” video proves that while med school’s expensive, paying the bills can still be lots of fun! You might just be surprised at the lengths some people will go to:

“Med School Porn” was directed and edited by Ballard C. Boyd and guest stars our friend Rachel Popson, who is a great actor and an even better sport!

This video is Better Than The Machine’s 100th on YouTube!! That’s a helluva a lot of videos! Trust us, we have just enough fingers and toes between the five of us to count them all.

Enjoy “Med School Porn” (but, y’know… not too much… ahem) and remember to check bttm.net for our next video!

Don’t let the machine get you down.

–Reid.