Since Bill Gates handed over the reigns to Steve Ballmer, Microsoft has been searching for a polarizing figure to become synonymous with the brand. Somebody that can compete with Steve Jobs and Apple, become the face of the franchise, and stand for everything the company believes in. To help promote the release of Windows 7, Microsoft may have finally found who they’ve been looking for: the Griffin family.
Taking its inspiration from Texaco Star Theater, a Milton Berle-hosted 1950s variety show that was television’s first big hit, the computer giant is teaming with “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane to sponsor a 30-minute show to air on the Fox network next month.
The show will run without commercials, and promises to feature “unique Windows 7-branded programming that blends seamlessly with show content.”
With any luck, in a few short months the addition of the Griffin household to the Microsoft team will allow Steve Ballmer to kick back and declare ‘victory is mine’. And celebrate by enjoying a piece of his favorite pie. Heavy on the Cool Whip.
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 5:30PM
Greg,
How you uh, how you comin' on that novel you're working on? Huh? Gotta a big, uh, big stack of papers there? Gotta, gotta nice litte story you're working on there? Your big novel you've been working on for 3 years? Huh? Gotta, gotta compelling protaganist? Yeah? Gotta obstacle for him to overcome? Huh? Gotta story brewing there? Working on, working on that for quite some time? Huh? Yea, talking about that 3 years ago. Been working on that the whole time? Nice little narrative? Beginning, middle, and end? Some friends become enemies, some enemies become friends? At the end your main character is richer from the experience? Yeah? Yeah? No, no, you deserve some time off.
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 5:31PM
Greg,
It appears you forgot to take your focus factor again.
Dr. Mitch - Chiropractor
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 5:34PM
@1 FTMFW!
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 5:40PM
Dealbreaker - A Wall Street Tabloid
Remember why we're here. This article isn't Wall Street and it isn't Tabloid.
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 5:41PM
this $hit has FAIL all over it
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 5:43PM
Don't you have any shame left in you?
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 5:48PM
Greg,
Please go away and do whatever. It'll be better for all the DB readers, and for you too.
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 5:52PM
@1-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbksBk8ZHlQ
Posted by Anal_yst , Oct 14, 2009 5:54PM
Way to not sell out McFarlane, I bet this 30 min spot is gonna be eyes glued to the tv awesome!
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 5:59PM
@ Analyst,
The only worse thing would be if South Park decided to do this.
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 5:59PM
There should be limits on how far and how long a bad product can be in circulation.
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 6:20PM
this will be as successful as the Seinfeld bit that microsoft did.
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 6:24PM
you want to go to D&B's?
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 6:40PM
For a subject that should be fairly not boring - a cartoon for Christ's sake - I stopped reading halfway through. Couldn't take it.
Seriously, take a fucking class or something.
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 7:08PM
@12
I found those Seinfeld skits humorous. Not sure what other DB readers feel, or the impact they had on the brand image, but they were refreshingly subtle (unlike the no-holes-barred MS bashing of the Apple adverts.) Crispin, Porter and Bogusky deserve some credit for making Gates seem part human!
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 7:12PM
Greg -
Now this is getting serious. Stop posting this shit, for Christ's Sake. I am getting death threats. Go back to be the circus geek from whence you came. This writing stuff is not for you, you suck at it, and it is really pissing people off. Including me. You douche bag.
Love,
Mom
Posted by Joe Mac , Oct 14, 2009 7:27PM
Greg is my spawn.
CG
Posted by Member of Peanut Gallery , Oct 14, 2009 7:29PM
Can't believe I'm saying this, but this was actually OK esp. the Cool Whip reference.
Posted by Extreme Cock , Oct 14, 2009 8:01PM
What's with the shitheel at the first post? That's pretty scary that some raisins for balls douche would deem it necessary to come in here and post bile like that. Ye Gads, what kind of public toilet masturbastionist is that? Get some help you fink. Call your Rabbi, or your Guru, the help you need is out there. In the meantime, piss off, you fuck, you fuck.
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 8:16PM
@19 - Greg -
Relax bro
Posted by Fan o the Macke , Oct 14, 2009 8:30PM
Greg,
You have really done it this time. All week you've posted one shitty thing after the other.
I'm going to glue your eyelids to your eyebrows and make you watch every episode of Nanny 911.
-Not JM, but JM needs to step it up again
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 9:57PM
Moron @19, it was a Family Guy reference. The entire thing.
-Not 1
Posted by guest , Oct 14, 2009 10:48PM
Greg,
WTF does Family Guy have to do with Wall Street?
Just asking.
Stan Motherfucking O'Neal
Posted by guest , Oct 15, 2009 1:04AM
Since we’re on the subject of completely un-fucking-related commentary I’d like to make a pitch to the folks at DB to change fonts in the comment section. The current font looks like the print on dollar bills. While I can appreciate the rich metaphorical underpinnings of such a choice I’d like to insult Greg’s genitalia in a breezier, more playful medium. May I suggest Cambria or Arial, or perhaps we go with a sequence of fonts -New Times Roman for Mondays; come Friday it’s Hawaiian shirts and Wingdings. In any event I want Greg’s resignation letter handwritten, in blood. In conclusion, when writing on DB, abso-fucking-lutely use infixes.
Posted by mrpink , Oct 15, 2009 3:21AM
My vote is for Calibri Wednesdays.
Posted by guest , Oct 15, 2009 9:51AM
I speak wing ding
Posted by guest , Oct 15, 2009 10:09AM
Three way featuring Stewie, Brian and the Mac Guy only possible positive result of this..