The second instalment of the new Microsoft ad campaign featuring Bill and Jerry has hit the web (watch it here.), clocking one million YouTube views on its first day.

It’s actually pretty funny, and it’s generally got a much better reception than the widely maligned first instalment. Deadpan throughout, it features the ex Microsoft CEO and the 1990s comedian spending some time with a crusty “real” family to try and get back in touch. Jerry cuts his toe nails. Bill complains about the food. Bill does some robot dancing.

Unlike the first ad , which briefly mentions Microsoft, the new clip doesn’t mention the company or any of its products once, giving the segment a vaguely Fellini-esque feel, or what its target audience would call “totally random”. The closest it comes to any sort of branding is a Microsoft logo on a briefly glimpsed bag.

However, there still aren’t enough laughs, deadpan or otherwise, to justify the 4 min 30 sec clip being so much longer than its 90-second predecessor.

Microsoft’s campaign is now officially more “out there” than Apple has ever been. But to what end? In the war for the hearts and minds of the cynical, media-overload generation, it still doesn’t come as close as being as hip or funny as the Mac vs PC guy. Still, part of me wants to know where Bill and Jerry are heading with their drollery, and I’ll be logging on for episode three.