What is Microsoft thinking?

I have had to hold off on any criticism or judgement on the new Microsoft/Seinfeld ad campaign launched by Microsoft recently.

I have seen it enough times now to officially form an opinion. It's ridiculous. Seinfeld needs to just walk away. His show was and to a great extent still is funny. He has even stated that the show was a prime example of what a person with no acting talent can accomplish when they surround themselves with great talent. Bill Gates is not funny. He is not a pretty face. He is not an actor.

The story line is reasonable. Bill Gates in a discount shoe store in a mall. It falls apart quickly from there. "Is that your toe?" "No, it's leather." and a stupid awkward moment of staring between the two? Showering while dressed? Will computers be like cakes so we can eat them while we work? I can't believe that CP+B did this. With great campaigns like the counterfeit mini spots, and many very clever print ads for mini, this is terrible.

I wonder what CP+B got paid for this. I wonder if Seinfeld has full 'comedic' control over it. I wonder....