Microsoft Backs Out of Sponsoring Family Guy Special

By Geoff Duncan October 28, 2009

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Software titan Microsoft has been blitzing the media to let the world know Windows 7 is available and the company thinks people should buy it. Part of that media blitz was to include sponsoring a one-off comedy special on the Fox network, Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show on November 8. However, on actually seeing a recording of the show, Microsoft has now withdrawn its sponsorship, saying that the content was not a good match with the Windows brand.

The show is set to feature Family Guy creator Seth McFarlane (who voices several characters on the show) and Alex Borstein (who voices Lois Griffin on the show) in a half-hour sequence of comedy sketches and animated shorts. In keeping with Family Guy’s content, the special reportedly features edgy material, including jokes based on incest and the Holocaust.

“We continue to have a good partnership with Fox, Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein and are working with them in other areas,” Microsoft said in a statement.

Fox and McFarlane have not commented.

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