Tag Archive: Family Guy

Before the launch of Windows 7, Microsoft teamed up with Fox to air a Family Guy episode to help create more buzz about the product prior to the launch. Not long after announcing the deal Microsoft pulled support for the episode because of “riffs on deaf people, the Holocaust, feminine hygiene and incest”.

Many thought that would be the end of the collaboration between the two companies, but, in a surprising move Microsoft has posted up clips from the sponsored show on to its official YouTube channel. The clips (seen here) attempt to show off how easy and powerful the operating system is with a Family Guy twist.

The move is somewhat surprising as Microsoft distanced itself from the show after viewing an early version of what might be aired. But, Microsoft has had a small change of heart and did finally post the clips onto their official YouTube channel.

As you may remember, Microsoft recently announced that a Windows 7 branded episode of Family Guy would be airing in the U.S. on November 8. In a surprise twist, Microsoft has now dropped support for the episode, meaning that it’ll still be shown, but with a different sponsor.

In a public statement, a Microsoft spokesperson confirmed, “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. According to Variety, Microsoft’s marketing deal, including the Family Guy section, remains, despite it not being a part of the “Almost Live Comedy Show.”

Strangely, however, when the deal was first announced, Gayle Troberman (a Microsoft consumer engagement & advertising general manager) stated that the way Windows 7 would be treated in the show wasn’t a concern to the company. Variety noted that in the special Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein carried on with the usual “Family Guy” jokes, which included “riffs on deaf people, the Holocaust, feminine hygiene and incest,” which lead to the dropping of sponsorship.

The Family Guy special will still be run on the evening of November 8, as we mentioned, along with the other shows on Fox, though it will have another sponsor who is yet to be named. There are no rumors yet of who that sponsor might be, but surely it’ll be announced soon, as November 8 isn’t far away.

Microsoft has signed a deal with Fox to sponsor a variety show produced by “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane. The special show, named “Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show”, will air on November 8 in the US.

The show will feature no commercial ad time, no network promotions and no commercial breaks — and instead will feature unique humor with original animation, live-action performances of “Family Guy’s” most memorable musical numbers, comedy sketches and surprise celebrity guests. It’s expected the sketches will focus on simplifying your PC and how easy and fast Windows 7 is to use.

“We’re working with FOX on innovative brand integrations that will show how the power and simplicity of Windows 7 can enhance the content FOX viewers love,” said Gayle Troberman, general manager of consumer engagement and advertising at Microsoft. “We have simplified the PC with Windows 7, and together with FOX, we’re simplifying entertainment.”

The 30 min special will be airing Sunday, Nov. 8, at 8:30 p.m. EST and PST.

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