Microsoft cancels Family Guy deal

The comedy show features Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane

Microsoft has pulled out of sponsoring a TV spin-off show of animated comedy Family Guy because of concerns over edgy material.

The software giant was to have sponsored Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show, to promote the launch of Windows 7.

The one-off special includes sketches by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane.

But after seeing a recording of the show, the company said "the content was not a fit with the Windows brand".

The show is still due to be broadcast in the US on 8 November.

It is part of a special night of programming on the Fox TV network dedicated to MacFarlane, who voices Family Guy characters including patriarch Peter Griffin.

The show, which stars MacFarlane and Alex Borstein - who voices Griffin's wife Lois - is billed as a half-hour special of comedy sketches and animated shorts.

But after attending a taping of the show, which reportedly contained jokes about deaf people, the Holocaust and incest, Microsoft bosses pulled the plug on its sponsorship deal.

"We continue to have a good partnership with Fox, Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein and are working with them in other areas," Microsoft said in a statement.

Fox made no comment on Microsoft's decision.