An infant's unwavering devotion to matricide—good. Jokes about incest and deaf people—now that, according to Microsoft, is crossing the line.
Doing absolutely nothing to fight its uncool reputation, the software giant has pulled out of sponsoring Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show, what would have been an otherwise ad-free variety special from Stewie mastermind Seth MacFarlane.
In exchange for the corporate backing, the show would have seamlessly woven promotions for Windows 7, Microsoft's latest operating system, into the program. But after some Microsoft bigwigs attended the live taping of the special on Oct. 16—and heard jokes about deaf people, the Holocaust, incest and feminine hygiene—the company bailed.
As the jokes themselves were completely in keeping with the MacFarlane brand of envelope-pushing comedy, the abrupt pullout certainly gives off the impression that no one from Team Gates had bothered to check out an episode of the show prior to signing up for the deal.
Either that or the Microsoft crew has particularly delicate sensibilities.
"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," Microsoft said in a statement.
"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."
Believe it or not, that's not only lip service: While Microsoft is no longer associating with the Fox special, the company is moving forward with a 12-week youth-targeting college tour, promoting its new OS, which will feature, among other interactive extras, Family Guy-themed movie nights.
The show, meanwhile, will still go on Nov. 8—possibly with the last-minute addition of a few extra software-centric jokes—with an unnamed new sponsor.
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