One commercial that we won't be seeing at the 2011 Super Bowl

First there was the 2007 ad with David Letterman and Oprah Winfrey.



Then there was the 2010 ad with Dave, Oprah, and Jay Leno.



The 2007 spot aired after a 2005 reconciliation between Letterman and Winfrey, while the 2010 spot aired during the midst of the Conan-Jay moves at NBC which had elicited comment from Letterman.

As I started thinking about the upcoming Super Bowl, I began wondering - would this be the time for a foursome, with Conan invited to the party?

But as I looked into it further, I realized that this was not to be - at least in 2011.

The 2007 and 2010 spots were promos for The Late Show With David Letterman, which airs on CBS. The 2011 Super Bowl is being televised by Fox, which is just about the only network that ISN'T involved in the talk show news of the moment. (Their former talk show host, Chevy Chase, now appears on an NBC show that I've half watched.)

But guess who will televise the Super Bowl in 2011? According to Wikipedia, NBC has the rights. So, at least theoretically, Jay could tape a promo commercial with Conan, Dave, Oprah, or anyone he wants.

However, there are three mitigating factors that cast doubt on whether this will happen. First, Leno may not be willing (for a variety of reasons) to tape such a spot. Second, there is the possibility that Leno may not be at NBC in 2012. Third, there is the possibility that there may not be a Super Bowl in 2012.

But CBS has the Super Bowl rights in 2013. Now there's a commercial to look forward to...assuming that Letterman is still at CBS in 2013.