We're really starting to get the feeling our grandparents are the ones running Microsoft's marketing arm. First there was the whole Windows 7 launch party thing. (You'll notice we couldn't even bring ourselves to post about that one.) We gave the fuzzy kitten commercial a pass -- some of us have kids now and have learned to appreciate fuzziness. And kittens.
Now, according to Variety [via], Microsoft apparently has changed its deal regarding the Nov. 8 "Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show." Turns out there were some crude jokes and unseemly humor. You know, the bread and butter of that show since it debuted. Windows 7 will still appear throughout the show, but Microsoft won't be doing heavy advertising during commercial breaks.
"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 spokesperson. "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."
So what began as an all-out pandering marketing push will now in all likelihood appear to be cheap and forced. If you're going to pull a stunt like this, go all out. bombard people for an hour. Otherwise, it's wasted.
Expecting "Family Guy" to do something other than its usual schtick is like asking Jack Bauer not to scream "Damn it!" every other line. Or like expecting a well-rounded person to appear on one of those "Real Housewives of ..." shows. Or like Brett Favre to retire gracefully. (Need we go on?)
Seriously, what did Microsoft think was going to happen?
