5 television series Windows 7 should sponsor
A Microsoft deal to sponsor a special episode of Family Guy was cancelled. Here are 5 shows better suited for a Windows 7 sponsorship.
Microsoft planned to sponsor an upcoming episode of Family Guy but cancelled because of the show’s objectionable content. The suits at Microsoft took issue with some of the potentially controversial jokes in the Windows-sponsored special “Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show” and backed out of the deal.
I’m sure that you are just as shocked as I am about this development. No, I’m not surprised that Microsoft backed out of the deal; I’m surprised that anyone at the company didn’t anticipate some foul jokes from a show that routinely mines comedy from non-comedic topics like the Holocaust, slavery, domestic violence, and drunk driving. It’s Family Guy! Have Steve Ballmer’s people never turned on their TV before?
Microsoft had a problem with Family Guy, so here are some suggestions for television shows that are more suited for a Windows 7 promotion.
Glee
The upstart high-school comedic drama already seems like one long commercial for iTunes. These kids break into song before every commercial break, so it would be a great chance for corporate synergy. Heck, you already have a Windows 7 rap/pop song ready for Mr. Schu’s ragtag group of outcasts to belt out like it’s a Top 20 hit.
Bob & Doug
You gave people in the Dutch village Zevenhuizen 777 free copies of Windows 7 for promotion. Why not spread some of that Microsoft Love to the great folks of Maple Lake? Bob & Doug may have its share of inappropriate moments, but you probably haven’t watched this show either, so no worries. Have a special episode where Windows 7 exposes Bob and Doug to the wonders of the Internet, helping them break away from their stereotypical lives. Windows 7: Your Window to the World. Has that been trademarked?
The Office
It seems so obvious! The Office is a comedy about inept bosses, outdated practices, and annoying co-workers. There’s no better place to push Windows 7 as the evolution of desktop computing than Dunder-Mifflin, a place I’m sure is still using Windows XP…maybe even Win 95. How great would it have been to watch Michael Scott learn to convert his peripherals to Windows 7? At worst, it would have been the perfect set-up for a “That’s what she said” the moment someone brought up plugs and drivers.
Heroes
Much like Windows Vista, Heroes has been accused of bloating up with characters and suffering because it is directionless. It’s widely been reported that Windows 7 is what “Vista should have been” and a great operating system that isn’t as frustrating as a Heroes plotline. Take advantage of the stellar reviews and bring the same treatment to Heroes: sponsor the death of one of the shows’ unnecessary actors. Let’s see how bold those Mac vs. PC commercials get when Justin Long knows that Sylar is back to his bloodthirsty ways.
Amazing Race
A no brainer. Have a challenge that requires Amazing Race contestants to search a Windows 7-equipped desktop for a document containing their next clue. Viewers will discover how easy it is to use Windows 7, making the OS look good as contestants say it was “the easiest clue in the history of the show…thanks Windows!” *flash Toothpaste smile*
Such a deal will be the most blatant corporate tie-in ever, but it will still be better than this:
windows 7 should improve what they offered
before they set a commercial to any program
had it installed yesterday, and having it uninstalled
this morning.
no email program in it is for the pitts
Theresa,
Just install the Windows Live components and you have an email client, it isn’t all that complicated.
Personally I install Office anyway and use Outlook.
There are a number of ‘free’ email clients out there as well, although I honestly think you get what you pay for.
A wee bit of research goes a long way.
I know I’m a few days late, but Windows 7 is a great improvement. A lot of the tools that most people are use to are integrated within the Live components, as listed above. Even the calculator is technically different.
As for the Windows 7 Campaign, I would have loved to see the Family Guy episode, but The Office would make for a much funnier, and perhaps, more realistic approach to how businesses see it.
Hate to be a grumpy old man, but, i think it would be cool if Microsoft could just come-up with an operating system and stick with it long enough to get all the bugs out instead of giving up on a system an introducing yet another pile of CRAP and then spending the next five years developing patches ! Oh well, as long as the sheap tolerate “It`l Do” crap, thats what we can expect…..
The show that I would really like to see, and would talk up with people. Would be a reality show with Leonard Nimoy (Spock) it would be five episodes, which would contain five days/weeks ? in 1 hour with Leonard doing his day to day functions. It would have a hiper mundane name like Leonard Nimoys reality. The show would focus on him as Ozzy had been focused (from afar) With the first episode plot consisting of 45 minutes of base information covering a lot of flashbacks / black and white photos, montages/commentator (not a good voice commentator, but a great voice commentator)and the last 15 minutes feeding into an incredible section and also into a (example a requested invitation to NASA to meet with new employes course graduates who requested him as guest speaker while also a time to talk with old friends there(from earlier courses) and a convention) which would be shown on the second episode. And the third and fourth episodes would be more incredible, with the fifth being great and with a different counterpoint. (which I have already thought of the perfect story lines for) Now that kind of show would lead to all sorts of new opportunities within this style.( Other personalities, locations, etc) And of couse Windows 7 would be predominantly focused as the advertiser for the shows, old style barage advertising(the colgate hour).