Seeing his strong ratings, CBS offered him a network series opposite the powerhouse Tonight Show, and his program moved there in the fall of 1969, with his debut guest lineup consisting of Hedy Lamarr, Ted Sorensen, Leslie Uggams, Moms Mabley, and Woody Allen.
King World Productions took over syndication of the program in 1983 as part of a wider, blanket deal with Merv Griffin Enterprises which included the launch of the nighttime version of Wheel of Fortune, and later a revival of Jeopardy!.