ot: Mister Softee

Okay, here's the deal: In 2003, Ricky Gervais (The Office) and Stephen
Merchant (his writing partner) made some hysterical training films for
Microsoft for a tidy sum. The fee is rumored to be in the six-figure
range, and it was on the condition the films were never made public.

They popped up on You Tube this month. I saw them before they were
yanked, and the were very very funny. Fans of The Office will find them
hysterical.

The latest rumor is that Microsoft has "started an investigation after
two supposedly private training videos made for the software company by
the comedian appeared on the internet."

This raises the question of just why these two hilarious Faux Training
videos were yanked from You Tube in the first place. You cannot blame
Microsoft for the content, which is mild compared with even Comedy
Central, (forget HBO). And the gentle insults to Bill Gates? They are
so soft-handed, it couldn't be that.

You would think Mister Softee would be more PR savvy by now . . .

As of this morning, you could still catch them on Google Video (parts
one and two). Better hurry, cause they will be gone by Monday . . .



Sources:
Faux Trainging Video Part I
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9076288729387457440

Faux Trainging Video Part II
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=959125392868390030

YouTube reveals 'what not to do' at Microsoft
Aug 25, 2006
http://www.contractoruk.com/news/002818.html

David Brent's top tech tips
Matt Loney
ZDNet UK
http://news.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029694,49283062,00.htm

Brent's secret Microsoft Office
Fran Yeoman
The Times, August 24, 2006
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2326336,00.html

.

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