Family Guy sells out to Microsoft

[Kaslo]

Family Guy + Microsoft: Does not Compute

Stewie is shilling for the computer behemoth and we're none too thrilled. The first video clip suggests we haven't jumped the gun.

This news passed through our inboxes late last week, but we're only now picking our jaws up off the ground and formulating coherent thoughts about the situation. Fox is teaming up with Microsoft by letting the computer giant sponsor 30 minutes of a Family Guy special that features live (as in non-animated, not LIVE live) performances of Family Guy musical numbers and plenty of Microsoft jokes in an effort to promote their new Windows 7 operating system.

Fox is treating the situation like we should all feel freakin' blessed about the whole thing, touting a commercial-free thirty minutes of Seth MacFarlane and his overflowing pockets prancing about a stage and introducing video clips of Peter Griffin virtually fellating a computer operating system. Here's an excerpt from Fox's press release:

"While the way people watch TV has evolved, their desire to be entertained, and marketers' need to deliver compelling content, hasn't changed. Microsoft and FOX are joining forces to showcase how the power and simplicity of Windows 7 can enhance blah blah blah..." Okay we added the blahs, but you get the idea.

MacFarlane is walking a tightrope here. A few years ago, he had a ton of "cred" among the kids and was hailed by many as one of television's greatest new forces. Remember his stance on the writers strike? He fought the power (Fox) and called them "dicks." Awesome stuff.

But we all love to tear our idols apart as quickly as we push a pedestal underneath them, and the backlash has been in full effect. Yes, his shows are still doing well in the ratings on Sunday nights, but overexposure is unkind and with Family Guy, American Dad, and The Cleveland Show dominating Sundays, well, that's a heck of a lot of Seth.

Selling out to Microsoft (and let's not pretend that this stunt is anything other than selling out) may be the last straw, even for stoners who normally wouldn't have enough sense to pick up the remote and change the channel. Check the clip below and get ready to be underwhelmed!

[kuronosan]

Oh noes! Someone trying to make money!

Seth sold out when he booked two more shows with Fox, with one getting ready to air and the other one being a huge waste of a time slot.

[Deftscythe]

So, let me get this straight. The writers of this article are concerned about the artistic integrity of Seth McFarlane and Family Guy?

[Necronus]

I admit, he could have just done a simple commercial as a celebrity endorser, no different than a sports player would, but lets face it, Microsoft is selling to people who probably have no idea who he is by face recognition alone.

Otherwise Windows 7 is a good Microsoft product( did I just say that?) so I'm not personally opposed to him doing this. I might have face palmed if he was endorsing something more retarded



Plus, lets face it, you'd sell out too if someone handed you lots and lots of money.

[Cephius]

Yeah, let's get this straight.

Insulting the Jews = Okay
Insulting blacks and black history = Okay
Pedophilia = Okay
Letting Microsoft sponsor your show = Not Okay

Perfect logic, here.

[kuronosan]

It's right up Seth's alley to endorse things like this anyway. He always has that liberalist attitude towards pop-culture.

[Isiolia]

Seth probably learned early on with Family Guy to get while the gettin's good.

But besides that, how is this really that "out there"? Product placement, commercials, mascots (c'mon, Bart Simpson has been hawking Butterfingers for how long now?), and so on...that's the business. No different to me than Burger King Transformers promotions...

[kuronosan]

No, this is different. Seth is a genius. He's the voice of his generation. He likes fish sticks! He's a mother*&#$ing genius!

[Neoscrilla]

"Family Guy sells out to Microsoft"

This is no surprise, Family Guy has been selling out for years.

[Odesseiron]

LOL M$ LOL!

[Cephius]

No, this is different. Seth is a genius. He's the voice of his generation. He likes fish sticks! He's a mother*&#$ing genius!

I think that's the main thing here. Seth for some reason has a cult following because Family Guy used to be "edgy" and "risky" and after the whole writer's strike fiasco, gave the impression that Seth was "on our side". Well guess what, he's in it for the money, just like everyone else. People shouldn't be surprised, but they are.

[Necronus]

I think that's the main thing here. Seth for some reason has a cult following because Family Guy used to be "edgy" and "risky" and after the whole writer's strike fiasco, gave the impression that Seth was "on our side". Well guess what, he's in it for the money, just like everyone else. People shouldn't be surprised, but they are.

Why can't you be both? Even rebels need money.

[Deftscythe]

Seth has almost an entire night of programming to himself, he doesn't need money.

[Lahan]

I still watch family guy but, I like it better when stewie was trying to take over the world now hes just trying to have sex with the dog. sad. kinda funny but still sad.

[Furoris]

No, this is different. Seth is a genius. He's the voice of his generation. He likes fish sticks! He's a mother*&#$ing genius!

I think that's the main thing here. Seth for some reason has a cult following because Family Guy used to be "edgy" and "risky" and after the whole writer's strike fiasco, gave the impression that Seth was "on our side". Well guess what, he's in it for the money, just like everyone else. People shouldn't be surprised, but they are.

Wooosh

Letting Microsoft sponsor your show = Not Okay

Perfect logic, here.

That's not the problem, the problem is turning a popular tv show into a 30 min infomercial.

[Ksandra]

Oh noes! Someone trying to make money!

Seth sold out when he booked two more shows with Fox, with one getting ready to air and the other one being a huge waste of a time slot.

I still keep by the stance that the Cleveland Show was the most brilliant idea ever. A.K.A. wanted an excuse to get rid of an annoying character while trying to make a little money on the side off it before it collapses.


Also, I can't stand microsoft, but flipping over this is just silly. This is not the first time cartoons have been used to sell a product, just people don't like microsoft.

I give you!

http://gosublogger.com/wp-content/up...ones-pills.png

http://www.sobelmedia.com/wp-content...oad_runner.gif

and lets not forget:

http://www.i2ko.com/travel/images/disneyw.jpg

[Jakson]

I'd much rather have Seth trying to sell me Microsoft products than shit I'd never ever even remotely consider buying. Would we have the same reaction if he were trying to sell us life insurance?

[Ksandra]

I'd much rather have Seth trying to sell me Microsoft products than shit I'd never ever even remotely consider buying. Would we have the same reaction if he were trying to sell us life insurance?

holy shit that's another one:

http://vintage-original-ads.com/Pict...y-Met-Life.jpg


Really, a 30 minute episode is no different than all of these, just another way to advertise.

[Jakson]

Yeah, this whole thing reminds me of some Kerry King said, which was something about the "music business" and how a lot of people forget the second part of the phrase.

[Correction]

What's that? A tv comedy that's stolen scripts and jokes from the internet and other tv series for 10 repetitive years is shilling for 30 minutes for a company that has stolen software and UI ideas from other software companies for 30 repetitive years?

Match made in heaven.