'The Today Show,' Tomorrow The Oscar?

While plenty of pundits and insiders are running around town saying the Oscar race is a done deal, the fact is, no one really knows what's going to happen on Sunday night when it comes to Best Picture, Best Actor or Actress, Best Director, et cetera. There are season-long track records, of course, but there are also big upset possibilities. The Help is still hoping to pull a big upset over The Artist Sunday night, and anything's possible.

our editor recommends

It's Not Just 'The Artist': An Oscar Race Dominated by the Sound of Silence (Analysis)

'Artist' vs. 'The Help': The Final Round!

NBC's 'Today Show' Features THR's Year-End Rule Breakers Issue (Video)

PHOTOS: Academy Awards 2012: The Nominees

But NBC's Today has already bet on the silent charmer to take home the gold. THR hears the show's been wooing the stars and director of The Artist for months, for the coveted morning-after interview. Of course, Michel Hazanavicius, Jean DuJardin and Berenice Bejo are in Paris for most of this week, in anticipation of the French Cesar Awards. But they land in L.A. this Saturday, in time for the Indie Spirit Awards.

Now, it's an interesting point that Today wouldn't have much luck with The Help - the Disney-produced film would be much more likely to have its players show up on Disney-owned Good Morning America the day after the Oscars.

But Today's Oscar streak is more than impressive. Its hosted Best Picture winners every morning after Oscar since 2006, when Crash was the surprise recipient. "We broadcast live at 4 am in L.A.," Today executive producer Jim Bell told THR of the on-air festivities, which are recorded at the Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills. "So the casts are usually still in Oscar attire, continuing the celebration on Today." Beyond the burble of rumors about the Artist cast and crew appearing on the show, however, Today Show spokespeople would not confirm their guests, or comment officially on this year's post-show bookings.