On April 15, 1946, WABD opened new studios at Wanamaker's department store and on the 18th, James appeared in an episode of Famous Jury Trials.

[9] James became the host of many game shows; his first was WABD's DuMont Beepstakes on May 29, 1946,[10][11] followed on June 20 with the more successful Cash and Carry[12] from the same program packager, Carr and Stark.

[13] James often addressed the TV audience as "Mother", a practice he had begun when discussing the finer points of wrestling during his sports broadcasts.

During the 1953–54 season, James was the announcer of the quiz program Judge for Yourself, which aired on NBC, with Fred Allen as the emcee.

[16] In 1956, James emceed High Finance on CBS in which contestants answered current events questions to build up a jackpot for prizes.

On the nighttime Price Is Right, James was reunited with another DuMont Television Network host, Johnny Olson, who served as announcer.

[citation needed] Outside of sports and game shows, James was also held in high esteem as a commercial spokesman.

James's friend Andy Granatelli hired him to serve as the original commercial spokesperson for Tune-up Masters.

James hosted the charity's primary telethon (in New York City on WOR-TV (now WWOR-TV) for 47 years, aided by Jane Pickens, Paul Anka, Florence Henderson, and other performers.

Hundreds came to the dedication and many luminaries got up and spoke, including Bob Hope, Foster Brooks and Kevin Dobson.

Fellow game show host Jack Narz's son David has been actively involved with the office and the James tournament.

Through the years dozens of James's close friends have come out to support the event, including Monty Hall, Jack Narz, Tom Kennedy, Peter Marshall and Joe Pesci.