Microsoft exits as sponsor of 'Family Guy' special

[October 28, 2009]  NEW YORK (AP) -- 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.

[Associated Press; By FRAZIER MOORE]

Fox is owned by News Corp.

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