[1] The CBS series used a subjective camera, as Cesana spoke directly to women in the viewing audience in a suave manner, with each episode a different romantic rendezvous, accompanied by lounge music played by Eddie Baxter on an electronic organ.
[2] In an era when advertisers and advertising agencies played major roles in program creation and sponsorship, the show began as a syndicated 15-minute radio show created, written and produced by agency owner Cesana on Los Angeles station KHJ in February 1951.
[4][5] It directly followed The Lonesome Gal, a nationally syndicated radio show in which host Jean King played records and spoke in a soothing monologue to male listeners.
[citation needed] Cesana was back as the Continental on New York radio station WMGM in 1953.
[2] Despite the fact that the show was short-lived, The Continental has been satirized and referenced in the years following its cancellation: Cesana obtained a recording contract with Capitol Records during the run of The Continental, although he confessed to Time magazine, "I'm the only Italian living who can't sing."