Microsoft News Tracker

The appalling Microsoft ad campaign featuring Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates that was crafted by Crispin Porter + Bogusky has apparently run off the rails and is being canceled, or redefined, or something:

Remember those awful Microsoft ads with Jerry Seinfeld and Bill Gates? Well, now you can forget them. Microsoft flacks are desperately dialing reporters to spin them about "phase two" of the ad campaign — a phase, due to be announced tomorrow, which will drop the aging comic altogether. Microsoft’s version of the story: Redmond had always planned to drop Seinfeld.

Ah, the old "I meant to do that" defense.  The only flaw in the alibi is why did they bother wasting everyone’s time with "phase one" in the first place?

By the way, if you haven’t seen the second episode of this foolishness, check out this long form Web version of the actual TV ads:

Disparaging your customers, claiming the "out-of-touch" crown, being unfunny – what’s not to like? Unless you are Microsoft who forked over $300 million for it.

Update: The NY Times’ Stuart Elliott apparently ingested an overdose of CP+B Kool-Aid and is now directly channeling "Phase Two." Here’s a clue, fellas: if you have to explain it, it is too complex for advertising. Still, there’s one fun part:

Beginning on Thursday night, visitors to windows.com will be able to upload video clips and photographs demonstrating how they, too, are PCs.

They spend most of their time crashed or snoozing? Or stopped at a UAC prompt? Or maybe moving really, really slowly? The possibilities for hilarity at Microsoft’s expense will be endless.