Microsoft drops 'Family Guy' special, had apparently never seen 'Family Guy'

Two weeks ago, Microsoft and FOX announced how excited they were to join forces in presenting a comedy special from "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane.

The special was to feature live sketches with MacFarlane and his "Family Guy" co-star, Alex Borstein, along with musical bits and original animation. It would also include "innovative brand integrations" that would talk about how awesome Microsoft's new Windows 7 is.

This was all before the special was taped. After actually seeing what MacFarlane and Borstein had planned -- Variety reports the special includes "riffs on deaf people, the Holocaust, feminine hygiene and incest" -- Microsoft has dropped its sponsorship of the Nov. 8 special.

"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," a Microsoft rep tells the trade paper.

So, yeah, Microsoft? Had you ever really watched "Family Guy" before? Because this doesn't sound too far off what MacFarlane and Co. usually put on the air.

FOX says it will still air the special, "Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show," on Nov. 8 and is looking for another sponsor. Whether MacFarlane and Borstein shoot branded spots with the new sponsor remains to be seen.

Microsoft says it "continue[s] to have a good partnership with FOX, Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein and are working with them in other areas." The company is still doing a big marketing push for Windows 7 with the network and other parts of the News Corp. family.

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