Microsoft pulls Windows 7 edition of Family Guy over risqué humor
Two weeks ago, Microsoft proudly announced it was to be the sole sponsor of Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show. Now, all of a sudden, it has pulled out due to issues over the content. Has no one at Microsoft ever seen Family Guy before? Because it looks as though someone made the decision after finally watching an episode of the hit show.
I admit to being a little surprised when it was revealed Microsoft was sponsoring this Seth MacFarlane special on Fox, both at MacFarlane for selling out and at Microsoft for getting involved with a risqué performer. But it could be explained away by the oodles of cash being thrown at MacFarlane and the high-profile advertising the slot would give to Windows 7.
Still, it should come as no surprise to anyone that Microsoft has now backed out of the deal. Variety reports how Microsoft execs attended the recording of the show on Oct. 16 and soon after made the decision not to sponsor the show as intended. Apparently, as well as the numerous mentions of Windows 7, there was the kind of humor MacFarlane and Family Guy is known for, “including riffs on deaf people, the Holocaust, feminine hygiene and incest.”
This was all clearly a little too much for Microsoft to stomach and so it pulled its support of the show. Microsoft issued a statement that said it all without actually going into any real detail as to its reasons:
We initially chose to participate in the Seth and Alex variety show based on the audience composition and creative humor of ‘Family Guy,’ but after reviewing an early version of the variety show it became clear that the content was not a fit with the Windows brand. We continue to have a good partnership with Fox, Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein and are working with them in other areas. We continue to believe in the value of brand integrations and partnerships between brands, media companies and talent.
As well as animated portions of the show featuring Windows 7, MacFarlane and Alex Borstein also pitched the new OS live on stage in the middle of the show. It’s not clear how much clever editing/re-shoots will have to take place now to compensate for Microsoft getting cold feet. However, Fox made it clear that the show is going ahead on Nov. 8 with an as-yet-announced sponsor taking Microsoft’s place in sponsoring the whole kit and caboodle.
I can’t help feeling this is an own goal for Microsoft because it shows its unwillingness to even move slightly out of its comfort zone in what it and its products are connected with. Then again, the original announcement and the revoking of the sponsorship deal have no doubt got Windows 7 enough column inches to ensure the whole thing wasn’t a complete waste of time for the company.
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October 28th, 2009
Both sides get two rounds of publicity. Microsoft presumably doesn’t have to spend anything. MacFarlane comes off as too edgy for the corporate suits.
They couldn’t have planned it better.
October 28th, 2009
Ahahahahahahahahahahaha…this is just too funny!!!!
October 29th, 2009
At least they knew to pull out before the episode aired. I suggest checking out Carl Dunham’s post on the how the Family Guy/ Microsoft extravaganza reflects the changing nature of television advertising.
Cheers,
Camille
http://www.thesearchagents.com/2009/10/family-guy-starring-windows-7-old-media-jumps-the-shark/