Microsoft has backed out on Seth MacFarlane comedy special

When we first heard about Microsoft and Family Guy teaming up, I’m sure that many of us thought that either Seth had made a deal with the devil, or Microsoft had literally never seen the show and thought perhaps it was loosely based on “Superfriends”. Looks like it was the latter, because Microsoft has backed out.

See, apparently bits on incest, abortion, rape, and the Holocaust just aren’t up to Microsoft’s high standards. Seriously, it is to laugh. I doubt that any of the folks in the marketing department have even watched Family Guy, because I can guaran-freaking-tee that they would have NEVER partnered up with this show to peddle Vista 2, I mean, Windows 7. Here’s what a Microsoft spokesperson had to say about this kerfuffle:

“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,” said a Microsoft spokeswoman. “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.”

Looks like the college tour will still be going ahead as planned, presumably with much less Family Guy than initially planned. This deal is getting worse all the time, to quote Lando, and I don’t see it getting any better.