In the days before cable and home video, a network "special" was usually special only in contrast to the weekly series it pre-empted. The format rarely varied. The star (Bing Crosby, Jack Benny, Perry Como, et al) stepped into the spotlight, sang a song or told a few jokes, then performed in a sketch featuring one of the guest stars. If the guest was a musical performer, he or she would have a solo before joining the host in a duet. A few more sketches and musical numbers followed, then came the grand finale involving the entire cast. After the final commercial break, the star returned to the spotlight for a quiet farewell. The only variable was the host.