Jay Leno and David Letterman took Super Bowl viewers by surprise Sunday afternoon. Perhaps the most talked about commercial around the watercooler on Monday was Jay Leno’s guest appearance in a promo for “The Late Show with David Letterman.” The two late-night talk show hosts, with Oprah Winfrey sandwiched in the middle, shared a couch to view the game as buddies. On Monday night, Jay explained how this came to fruition, crediting his “old friend” with the idea. Dave’s producer contacted Jay’s producer to see if he would be game. Jay said, “No matter what animosity there is between comedians, a good joke is a good joke.” Both parties had to keep their lips sealed, not even able to reveal the secret to their own staffs. Jay hopped on a flight to New York and pulled up to the Ed Sullivan Theater in an SUV with an entourage of security. In a disguise including a mustache and hood, Jay entered to film the spot. Back on the west coast, NBC executives called Jay in for a meeting to warn him they thought President Barack Obama had recorded a commercial for the rival show because of the security measures surrounding the SUV outside the studio. Even Jay’s own bosses were in for a surprise on Sunday. Jay thanked Dave for asking him to participate and said that the hard feelings of their tumultuous past “disappeared.” He joked that the reunited pair, who parted ways 18 years ago, will team up again—this time in the two-man luge competition at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

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