Well, that lasted for about a second. Microsoft has officially put the kibosh on its Windows 7-sponsored variety show called “Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show”, which is hosted by creator Seth MacFarlane.
While the show is still set to air on November 8th, Microsoft has pulled its Windows 7 theme from it. Variety reports that the deal fell apart after MS execs attended a taping on October 16th and witnessed MacFarlane and co-star Alex Borstein–aka Lois Griffin–exploring taboos like incest and cracking racy jokes, something which we’ve come to expect from Family Guy over the years.
Apparently Microsoft couldn’t handle the humor (had they ever even seen the show?) and nixed the campaign. In a statement, a Microsoft spokeswoman explains:
“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.”
Brand integration in this case still includes Family Guy-themed movie nights as part of a Fox Licensing and Merchandising college tour and spots on Fox, FX, Hulu, etc.
More: “Microsoft’s New Mantra: It Takes a Nation of Billions to Bring Us Back”