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Microsoft releases Windows 7 Family Guy clips, horrifies world
Remember when Microsoft thought it was a good idea to enlist characters from Family Guy as their new Windows 7 spokespeople? It was a funny idea, but somewhere between the beginning of production and the scheduled air-date, Microsoft executives realized two things: a) the target audience for a Windows 7 commercial is probably not getting high and watching cartoons right now, and b) the ads just weren't very good.After seeing clips of the Family Guy ads, I'm not convinced they're better than Microsoft's previous big-budget ad failure, those Seinfeld and Bill Gates spots. At least the Seinfeld ads were totally weird, instead of taking a show you know and love and painfully shoehorning some product placement where it doesn't belong. A mention of Windows 7 in an actual episode of Family Guy could at least have been played for big laughs, but these clips fall flat.
Don't believe me? See for yourself after the jump.
[via Gizmodo]
Comments
18
Subscribe to commentsAnthonyNov 29th 2009 1:17PM
Wow.
TOO much product placement much.
JasonNov 29th 2009 11:20PM
It isn't product placement when it is in a commercial, you are dumb.
HUPextremeNov 29th 2009 1:17PM
Riiiiiiiiight,
Hey i love family guy, and windows 7, but i just don't get how this publicity stunt is working, its just really weak.
Saint SeminoleNov 29th 2009 1:26PM
At least it was better than all those "Windows 7 was *my* idea" ads over the last few weeks.
All those people in the ads seem way too happy that they've struggled along with poor operating systems in the past and finally got a little feedback from a major corporation that's charging $200 for the newest "upgrade" when a new Windows PC (OS included) costs less than $400.
fiendsanNov 29th 2009 1:34PM
don't understand, sure its not that razor sharp humor, but its witty and funny in the family guy universe, the seinfeld ads were way worse, especially because they were also so long, these are short and silly, whats the problem with that?
Brian!Nov 29th 2009 4:01PM
I agree. They are not horrible. I won't say it is my favorite commercial by a long shot, but they are cute.
Hell, almost anything is better than those smarmy Apple ads these days. I am so tired of smugness mixed with misinformation. Bring on the cute and silly.
chodorowiczNov 29th 2009 7:02PM
same here, I think they're really OK
RususeruruNov 29th 2009 2:32PM
Yeah, Microsoft did the right thing by killing this.
__smooth__Nov 30th 2009 7:19AM
I agree, although videos number 2 and 3 are funny, if you watch them already knowingly it's going to be a win7 commercial.
PS: I liked the Seinfeld ads.
Scuba SteveNov 29th 2009 2:59PM
wow... yea really not that good, seems too much M$ not enough Family Guy. Tho the "spelling Bee" did at least give me a smile
kingabraham3Nov 29th 2009 3:35PM
the spelling bee was hilarious.
but the one with stewie as president, seriously microsoft, are you really trying to reinforce your image as the evil monopolistic behemoth that is trying to control everyone's life (even if not true).
FyrewerxNov 29th 2009 5:22PM
Family Guy is practically required watching for our NOC and Help Desk teams. But then .... they're really not the target audience to "buy" Windows 7.
NotRocketboyNov 29th 2009 11:48PM
Man, I'm glad I don't work there.
Just like that job I had as a marriage counselor for Tiger Woods.
JasonNov 29th 2009 11:20PM
This article would be a lot more interesting if the author understood the concept of humor and the basic idea of commissioning popular public figures to advertise manufacturer's products. Dumb.
Mundo ExchangeNov 30th 2009 1:41AM
Boy are those bad. Family guy have jumped the Jaws on this one.
PaulmichaelNov 30th 2009 1:48AM
Most of those were actually pretty funny, the last one the least so.
gtnconceptNov 30th 2009 2:03AM
Anyone else notice that all of these are just old episode footage re-dubbed with new dialogue?
bug frawgNov 30th 2009 7:29PM
Microsoft has a history of weird/stupid ads, MS dos 5 ad was wtf:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmEvPZUdAVI