Microsoft Yanks Sponsorship of MacFarlane Show
Some people might have seen this coming a mile away. Because of content concerns, Microsoft has yanked its sponsorship from Fox's upcoming Seth MacFarlane comedy/variety special.
"Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show" on Nov. 8 was supposed to be part of a marketing partnership Microsoft sealed with several News Corp. properties to promote Windows 7. The "Almost Live Comedy Show" was set to run commercial-free, with Microsoft marketing messages built into the special.
Initially Microsoft ad exec Gayle Troberman said she wasn't concerned about how Windows 7 might be treated on the show. Then Microsoft execs attended the special's taping Oct. 16., which included MacFarlane and Alex Borstein joking about deaf people, the Holocaust, feminine hygiene and incest. During the show, Microsoft sent MacFarlane and Fox several notes expressing their concern over the show's content. Ultimately, the company decided just to drop out. The rest of the Microsoft deal with Fox is intact and the variety show hopes to nab another sponsor.
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