In a world obsessed with good looks, friends on the Internet, and pretending to care about stuff, Better Than The Machine dares to be ugly, have no friends, and care about nothing.
Since its inception in 2003 at Pace University in New York City, Better Than The Machine and their videos have appeared on MTV, Comedy Central, The WB/CW Network, mtvU, and G4TechTV. Their videos have been featured on websites such as YouTube, CollegeHumor, Funny or Die, Cracked, Spike, and The Apiary. In addition to their over 100 public web videos, Better Than The Machine accepts commission requests to create videos for large companies, small businesses, non businesses, and anyone or anything in between. If you’re interested in commissioning a video, please visit the Contact page.
Better Than The Machine is Carlos Cabrera, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Christina Reynolds, and Paul Syracuse. They have written and performed several original stage revues under the tutelage of director Will Nunziata, a graduate of The Second City. Better Than The Machine also collaborates regularly with acclaimed video director Ballard C. Boyd on many of their videos. To date, they have written eight original stage revues, which they have performed across the country, including in several comedy festivals. Information about all eight shows can be found below.
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| April 10; May 2, 3, and 4, 2003
Presented live at The Schaeberle Studio Theater, NYC
Produced and Directed by Reid Levin
Associate Producer: Victoria Carter
Musical Director: Chris Zalewski
Written by Sarah Antalek, Liz Blanchard, Kelli Bragdon, Dave Costello, Raquel Florim, Aaron Levene, and Reid Levin
Performed by Sarah Antalek, Liz Blanchard, Kelli Bragdon, Victoria Carter, Dave Costello, Raquel Florim, Joe Grassia, Rusty Gunther, Aaron Levene, Reid Levin, Marge Lewit, Paul Syracuse, and Chris Zalewski
Featuring James Bedell, Jessica Jacobson, Erin Leahy, Ben Lebish, and David Reiman
Original Music Written and Performed by Zed’s Dead: Victoria Carter, Joe Grassia, Rusty Gunther, Reid Levin, and Chris Zalewski
Sketches:
The Failed Comics Support Group
Intro: Is That You, God?
Keytar Love Song
The Speed Sketch
The Ambassador From Sincostan
Happy Metal
The Angry Mime
Justice League Auditions
Jesus In A Tractor Trailer & Company Bows
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| February 13 and 15, 2004
Presented live at The Schaeberle Studio Theater, NYC
Produced and Directed by Victoria Carter and Reid Levin
Written by Victoria Carter, Trey Compton, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Jeff MacKinnon, and Paul Syracuse
Performed by Joanna Cappola, Victoria Carter, Trey Compton, Tucker Dyer, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Jeff MacKinnon, Christina Reynolds, and Paul Syracuse
Featuring Joe Grassia
Videos featuring James Bedell, Amy L. Kirner, and Marge Lewit
Sketches:
Reality Bites
Two Guys a Girl and Death
A Day In The Life Of Tucker Dyer, Part 1
Germany Rockin’ Face, Part 1
Three Men and a Black Baby
A Day In The Life Of Tucker Dyer, Part 2
Mobile Home Phone
Poppycock
The New Odd Couple
Mark Twain & The Bathroom Kid
The Metrosexual
A Day In The Life Of Tucker Dyer, Part 3
A Day In The Life Of Paul Syracuse
Germany Rockin’ Face, Part 2
Company Bows
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| May 7, 8, and 9, 2004
Presented live at The Schaeberle Studio Theater, NYC
Produced and Directed by Victoria Carter, Reid Levin, and
Paul Syracuse
Written by Trey Compton, Tucker Dyer, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Christina Reynolds, Jame Rose, and Paul Syracuse
Performed by Joanna Cappola, Victoria Carter, Trey Compton, Tucker Dyer, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Christina Reynolds, Jame Rose, and Paul Syracuse
Videos featuring Erin Cervone, T.J. Collins, Hayden Connors, John Creenan, Jenn Dottino, Joe Grassia, Lara Hayhurst, Deborah Sklar, and Christopher Thomas
Sketches:
Versus The Industrial Revolution
Roommates
Children’s Story 1
Missus
American Beauties
Bibliophiles
God And Satan
Children’s Story 2
Everman/Shore ’04
Peter Pan’s Monologue
D.A.R.E.
The Cure
The Douche Sketch
Children’s Story 3
The Incredible Mallo
Company Bows
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| February 11, 12, and 13, 2005
Presented live at The Schaeberle Studio Theater, NYC
Produced and Directed by Reid Levin and Paul Syracuse
Written by Carlos Cabrera, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Christina Reynolds, Jame Rose, and Paul Syracuse
Performed by Carlos Cabrera, Victoria Carter, Trey Compton, Tucker Dyer, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Christina Reynolds, Jame Rose, and Paul Syracuse
Videos featuring Christmas Cronin, Mike Diehl, Muriel Gibson, Lara Hayhurst, Sarah McDaniel, Matt Williams, and a tour bus of babes from Alabama
Sketches:
Soap Opera A
Half-Off Christmas Spectacular
Boobah
The Incredible Hemmingway in “The Old Man & The Seaport”
In The Kitchen With Hitler
Gerentrophobia
Booster Club Meeting
Soap Opera B
Soap Opera C
Merry Christmas
Pure Evil
The Reid Levin Story
Cupid
A Hand for Country Crock
Random Sketch
iMad: A Cautionary Tale
It’s A Mad, Mad, Matt World
Company Bows
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| May 5, 6, and 7, 2005
Presented live at The Schaeberle Studio Theater, NYC
Produced and Directed by Reid Levin and Paul Syracuse
Written by Trey Compton, Tucker Dyer, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Christina Reynolds, Jame Rose, and Paul Syracuse
Selected sketches developed with assistance from David Reiman
Performed by Carlos Cabrera, Trey Compton, Tucker Dyer, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Christina Reynolds, Jame Rose, and Paul Syracuse
Videos featuring Tristan Clark, Dave Costello, Jenn Dottino, Jessica Duncan, Lara Hayhurst, Elizabeth Johnson, Alissa Laderer, Mikey LeBalsamo, Brooke Mallon, Ashley Marinaccio, John Mason, Kelvin Ortega, Brianna Rosado, Julia Royter, Peter Sullivan, Christopher Thomas, and Ruis Woertendyke
Sketches:
Return of the Machine
Extreme Knitting
Jack & Jake
Sketch Noir
I Love Lucifer A
Sloth Hunter
Paul & Matt’s Excellent Adventure
Mrs. Parker
Law & Order: S.A.S.U.
After Sketch Special
PACE Commercial
Cellphone Pickup
Revenge of Sketch Noir
Showdown
Trix Rabbit
When Nielsens Attack
I Love Lucifer B
Firefighting Chemist
Outro
Company Bows
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| March-September, 2006
Presented live at CBGB, Galapagos, The National Comedy Theater, The New York Underground Comedy Festival, The Peoples Improv Theater, Sam’s Cabaret, and The Schaeberle Studio Theater
Produced, Written and Directed by Reid Levin and Paul Syracuse
Performed by Carlos Cabrera, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Christina Reynolds, and Paul Syracuse
Videos featuring Kaseem Bristow, Joanna Cappola, Victoria Carter, Trey Compton, Mike Diehl, Julia Dudeck, Tucker Dyer, Alex Gerlach, Kahlil Gonzalez-Garcia, Danielle Henderson, Rob Hinderliter, Rachel Jones, Bradley LeBoeuf, Wes Mallgren, Sarah McDaniel, James Reynolds, Emily Schultz, Deborah Sklar, Jeff Syracuse, and Aubrey Watson
Featuring Animation by Wes Mallgren and Jason Shwartz
Sketches:
Let Freedom Bling
Soap Opera A
Accusol
A Pill For All Seasons
Realities Bite
Soap Opera B
The American Dream
Paris Hilton In “It Came With No Talent!” (A Double Feature)
Gimme SomeSpace
Gay Marriage Propaganda
Better Than The Machine Hates Gays
Why Hybrid Cars Are So Gay
The Convenient Burglar
Betty’s Big Problem (An After Sketch Special)
A Sketch About Booze
Playtime With Friends
I’d Tap That
Soap Opera C
Disabled Debbie
Homeless
Give A Shit
Company Bows
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| March-September, 2007
Presented live at Jimmy’s #43, The Magnet Theater, Mo Pitkins, The National Comedy Theater, The Parkside Lounge, The Peoples Improv Theater, and RiFiFi
Directed by Will Nunziata
Produced by Reid Levin and Paul Syracuse
Written by Carlos Cabrera, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Will Nunziata, Christina Reynolds, and Paul Syracuse
Performed by Carlos Cabrera, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Christina Reynolds, and Paul Syracuse
Sketches:
Bank Robbery
Seesaw
The Massage
Surprise Party!
Office Hookup
Deaf Girl
Apple Store
True Things That Happened
Lady Livin’
Threesome
Jesusaurus Rex
Games Before Dames
It’s Not Me. (It’s You.)
Company Bows
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| June-October, 2008
Presented live at Binghamton University, The Broadway Comedy Club, The Green Room, Jimmy’s #43, The National Comedy Theater, and The Peoples Improv Theater
Directed by Will Nunziata
Produced by Paul Syracuse
Written by Carlos Cabrera, Matt Gallo, Reid Levin, Will Nunziata, Christina Reynolds, and Paul Syracuse
Performed by Carlos Cabrera, Matt Gallo, Christina Reynolds, and Paul Syracuse
Videos featuring People from the great city of New York
Sketches:
Intro: Telling Christina Reid Has Cancer
Trust Falls
Father Son Catch
Open Mic Night I: The Original Vagina Monologues
Pigeons
Paul’s Street Interviews
Charades
Open Mic Night II: The Impersonator
Carlos Interviews Big Gay Bears
Whale Song
Strangers Wish Reid A Happy Birthday
See Something, Say Something
Never Have I Ever
Open Mic Night III: Feels Like Passion
Company Bows
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| Also featured in… |
The BIG Things, The Los Angeles Sketch Comedy Festival, New York Sketchprov Festival, New York Underground Comedy Festival, The Philadelphia Sketch Comedy Festival, Private Show (Denver, CO), Project Breakout (Ft. Lauderdale, FL), Salon des Refusés, The Secret Circus (Boulder, CO), Sketchblock Sunday, Sketchblock Thursday, Sketchfest NYC, The Sketchubator, Variety Underground, and Zebro: A Laugh Show
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| And on… |
Comedy Central, G4TechTV, MTV, mtvU, NBC-Universal, and The WB/CW Network
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