Stung by the recession, some of America's biggest companies are slashing their advertising budgets. But television viewers won't know it by watching the commercials during this year's Super Bowl.

Football fans tuning in for the championship game Sunday will see a 2 1/2-minute block of commercials they can watch in 3-D with special glasses. They'll also see ads featuring celebrities such as comedian Conan O'Brien and cellist Yo-Yo Ma; a reprise of the famous "Mean Joe Greene" Coca-Cola ad from 1979, this time with Pittsburgh Steelers player Troy Polamalu; and even commercials for commercials, telling viewers to stay tuned for the 3-D spots just before halftime.

Advertisers are defying the downturn by shelling out millions to create the ads, then paying NBC as much as $3 million for 30 seconds of airtime during the game between the Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals. That's 11 percent more than the $2.7 million Fox Broadcasting charged for the top slots during last year's game.

A few companies, such as FedEx Corp. and General Motors Corp., decided not to advertise during this year's Super Bowl. And some viewers have tuned out from the NFL playoffs; 13 percent fewer homes watched this year's AFC Championship game than in 2008, and 23 percent fewer homes watched the NFC Championship game.

Companies say they're still spending big on Super Bowl ads, because no other event captures the attention of an estimated 100 million TV watchers who actually pay attention to the commercials.

"I would have anticipated that more would have dropped out," said Walter F. Guarino, advertising professor at Seton Hall University. "But this thing is going to be a sellout of major proportions."

Next year's Super Bowl might be a different story. Many advertisers bought ad time in the spring or summer, before the severity of the economic meltdown had become clear.

LAW AND ORDER

MAN GOING TO TRIAL IN HARRISON GUN CASE

A Philadelphia man shot with a gun owned by Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison is headed to trial today, accused of lying to police.

Dwight Dixon is scheduled to appear in a Philadelphia municipal court on a charge of making false sworn statements.

Dixon initially told police he was shot during a robbery but later accused Harrison of shooting him. Dixon's attorney, Robert Gamburg, said Dixon did not immediately identify Harrison because he was afraid of him.

The shooting last April happened near a North Philadelphia car wash owned by the All-Pro receiver that is about a half mile from Playmakers, a bar he also owns.

The 32-year-old Dixon filed suit last September against Harrison.

Investigators have conflicting witness accounts of who fired the gun.

ELSEWHERE

Obituary: Former San Francisco 49ers receiver Billy Wilson, a six-time Pro Bowler who starred for the team in the 1950s, died yesterday. He was 81. Wilson died peacefully in the presence of his family in Southern California after a battle with cancer, the team said. Wilson led the NFL in receptions three times during his career from 1951-60, retiring with 407 catches for 5,902 yards and 49 touchdowns.

Patriots: New England has hired former Tennessee Titans general manager Floyd Reese as part of a restructuring of the team's front office. Reese will have the title of senior football advisor in New England and his responsibilities will include contracts. The team also announced that Nick Caserio will manage the daily operations of the personnel department.

49ers: Hue Jackson is getting a second interview with San Francisco for its vacant offensive coordinator position. Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens' quarterbacks coach, was an offensive coordinator in Atlanta and Washington.