• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, October 25, 2010

Some 2.4 million viewers will be able to watch Friday's "Rachael Ray Show" in a special 3D format. In a promotion involving Sara Lee, TV Guide is distributing special glasses in 2.4 million-plus copies of its Oct. 25 issue for the viewing opportunity.

The glasses are all that's needed -- not a 3D TV or other hook-ups -- to view the "Halloween Bash" show in the third dimension, where Pee-wee Herman cooking with Ray, and Penn & Teller's tricks, will take on a different look. Still, people without the glasses -- which were developed by 3D Vision -- will be able to watch the show as usual in 2D.

The "Ray" show is the first to use what's known as "FullColor 3D" -- from 3D Vision -- in a commercial broadcast. And the broadcast marks another evolution in growing 3D TV production, with potential to expand rapidly, since it does not require a viewer to buy a pricey new set.

Joe Freed, a co-executive producer of "Ray," stated that the show has been hungry to do an episode for some time. And Ray confirmed that in an interview with TV Guide, saying she saw a 3D demonstration at a conference with scenes from "The Departed" and "Kung Fu Panda," and was inspired enough to call the show's executive producer and say: "We have got to be the first daytime show that does a 3D production."