Microsoft Pulls Out Of 'Family Guy' Holocaust, Incest, Tampon Special

NEW YORK — Fans of "Family Guy" are chortling about Microsoft's belated discovery that a "Family Guy" special might not jibe with the software giant's corporate image.

On Monday, Microsoft said it's pulling out as sponsor of a "Family Guy" variety show, just two weeks after announcing its sole sponsorship of the special, "Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show," scheduled to air Nov. 8.

The Fox special apparently follows in the racy tradition of the animated "Family Guy" series – just as any fan would expect.

The special includes "typical 'Family Guy'-style jokes, including riffs on deaf people, the Holocaust, feminine hygiene and incest," said Variety, which first reported Microsoft's exit.

The special stars "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane, who voices many of the characters, and Alex Borstein, who furnishes the voice of Peter Griffin's wife, Lois.

In the original announcement, the half-hour special was billed as a half-hour with no commercial breaks that blends "unique Windows 7-branded programming" seamlessly with "original animation, live-action performances of 'Family Guy's' most memorable musical numbers, comedy sketches and surprise celebrity guests."

Microsoft had originally touted the "subversive and unique humor" of the show's co-hosts.

But apparently it was all too subversive and unique for Microsoft. Backing off with Monday's statement, the company said that, after reviewing an early version of the special, it had decided the variety show's content "was not a fit with the Windows brand."

In its statement, Microsoft hastened to add there are no hard feelings. The company said it continues to have "a good partnership" with MacFarlane, Borstein and the network, and is "working with them in other areas."

Fox plans to air the show, which was taped Oct. 16, as scheduled, with a new, as-yet-undisclosed integrated sponsoring partner. The network had no comment on Microsoft's defection.

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Fox is owned by News Corp.

Comments

[slaxx]

holocaust, incest, tampons....sounds like fox.

[SuperMoncho]

Cant wait, im sure that special is going to be really funny. Microsoft should stop worrying about Family Guy and start worrying making a computer that can last more then a year.

[JFD8]

When Microsoft, lumbering giant,
Had Family Guy as a client
It was eager to plug
Till it found a late bug:
The program's not Windows-compliant.

News Short n' Sweet by JFD8
http://twitter.com/JFD8

[MsMsBurning]

ROTFLMAO!

[zombywulf]

Could it be because Windblows 7 is just Vista with lipstick???
All flash and no real substance, AGAIN.

[Antacid]

Totally untrue. It's Window XP with lipstick.

[stonesfan30]

At least someone said NO to this Mcfarlane guy. I am still confused how he was able take Fox for the amount of money he has. Family Guy is terrible and his ensuing shows are worse.

[Seaglass]

The whole point of Family Guy is how completely subversive it is--no sacred cow goes untipped. It may get awfully uncomfortable, but, god--it's funny.

[Antacid]

Why are you complaining about Fox losing lots of money? Surely that's a good thing.

[stonesfan30]

That's up to you, I'm not that bitter about Fox

[josephbua]

"I am still confused how he was able take Fox for the amount of money he has."

a) Ratings, my dear. Ratings.
b) DVD sales
c) Merchandise
d) Off Network Syndication
e) Cartoon Network/Adult Swim deal
f) Emmy nomination
g) The kids love it
h) And many adults (me included)

TV is a business.

[stonesfan30]

Don't call me dear, that's weird.

[w0rld0fw0rcraft]

holocaust, incest, and tampon? One of these is the ONLY reason they're pulling out. Who REALLY controls the reins of power in America?

[Synnerman]

They were probably seduced by the Shipoopi football spectacle.

[XRaraavis]

Perfect opportunity for Apple to swoop in and take over sponsorship of the special. Perhaps even Ubuntu could try it if Shuttleworth wants to pony up that much cash out of his own pocket.

[JimR]

That is their right, of course, but why agree to sponsor it in the first place? Did they ever actually WATCH the show?

[lmt78]

the issue is bigger than most here are seeing...it's time to stand up to fuchs

[jalowe1957]

And they say Bill Gates does Windows.

[highflag]

I guess I'm actually a little disappointed. I expected a little more enlightenment from Bill Gates. But I suppose the marketing department concluded that they shouldn't jeopardize the racist demographic...

[SuesW]

"unique" humor. Uh huh.

[sheoples]

dang.........and i was sooooooooooooooo looking forward to it

[Biscuit]

Only the Fox network would air such immoral programming! Limbaugh and Beck must be furious/crying over this! Fox should be off the air. Dangblasted Liberals!

[lovestoread]

family guy is great. i hope you were being facetious