Fox reveals 'Family Guy' special details

Will feature sponsorship from Microsoft

By James Hibberd

Oct 13, 2009, 07:14 PM ET

Fox announced details about its "Family Guy" special, including an airdate, working title and an exclusive sponsorship with Microsoft.

The half-hour "Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show" will air at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 8 and star series creator Seth MacFarlane and his co-star Alex Borstein. The special will air without traditional commercials and instead will feature Microsoft-branded programming that Fox said will blend with the show's content. The show will promote Microsoft's latest operating system, Windows 7, which will be released Oct. 22.

"We're thrilled to be joining forces with Windows 7 on such an exciting, highly collaborative marketing campaign featuring the very unique talents of Seth MacFarlane as he overhauls the old Hollywood tradition of the sponsored variety show by marrying Windows 7 messaging with content," Fox executive vp sales Jean Rossi said.

The special will include original animation, live-action performances of "Family Guy" musical numbers, comedy sketches and celebrity guests. The evening also will feature an all-MacFarlane lineup with new episodes of "American Dad," "The Cleveland Show" and "Family Guy."

The marketing partnership will include collaboration with Fox properties 20th TV, Fox Sports, FX, Fox.com, Fox¬Sports.com on MSN and Hulu.

Fox reveals 'Family Guy' special details

Will feature sponsorship from Microsoft

By James Hibberd

Oct 13, 2009, 07:14 PM ET