Win7 to hit Prime Time TV with Family Guy Pact

Apparently, throwing a Windows 7 party in honor of the new Microsoft operating system is not enough.

The Fox network has recently announced an exclusive one-night partnership with Microsoft featuring the ever-controversial grown-up cartoon, "Family Guy". The idea for the partnership was instigated by Microsoft in the hopes of generating more interest in Windows 7.

Special to Air in November

The partnership will not be evident during the 9 p.m. Family Guy timeslot, however. Rather, a special half-hour television special, with the working title "Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show" will air at 8:30 PM on November 8th, 2009, and features series creators Seth MacFarlane and co-star Alex Borstein. (Source: yahoo.com)

Commercial-Free

The special is slated to air without traditional commercials. Instead, it will feature a series of Microsoft-branded programming with a blend of Family Guy's core content. The special will include original animation, live-action performances of Family Guy's musical numbers, comedy sketches and celebrity guests.

The air date on November 8th, will give MacFarlane as much exposure as Windows 7. He'll present back-to-back-to-back-to-back original programs including "American Dad", "The Cleveland Show" and "Family Guy," as well as this special. (Source: reuters.com)

Microsoft to Target Youth

The promotion is also a sweet deal for Microsoft. While it remains unclear exactly how much money was doled out to feature Windows 7, the campaign should do wonders in reaching the same youthful demographic that is most likely to purchase the new operating system.

Still, it is worth mentioning that Microsoft's latest attempts at bridging their products with comedy have not worked out so well. (Anyone remember those dreadful Bill Gates/Jerry Seinfeld vignettes?) Apparently, the only way Microsoft is making anyone laugh these days is in response to the Windows 7 promotion involving an infamous party planning video.

Expect the results to be much better for Microsoft this time around, even if it means capitalizing on someone else's completely unrelated popularity.