I remember watching the local show (before they went national) and LOVING it when a big star would come on. For instance, Tony Bennett would come out and someone would pledge $5,000 if he sang, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" (that was BIG money back then). They couldn't do that on a national show.

I still say that one of the biggest thrills I've ever seen on tv was the live reunion of Jerry and Dean Martin back in the '70s.