[adamrezich]

I guarantee they focus-tested it and found that most people who remember Clippy don't have fond memories of him (and/or remember the memes/jokes about him more than they remember the actual Clippy), but, more importantly, most people don't remember him at all and wondered why this weird paper clip guy was talking. he hasn't been in an Office product since, what, 23 years ago or something? (not counting cameos)

[oneeyedpigeon]

And probably a fair number asked "what is this weird bent line thing and what does it have to do with searching the internet?"

[knodi123]

"Okay, fine, we'll make him an anthropomorphic phone dial. Or maybe a floppy disc."