Hosted by experienced radio performer Garry Moore, the series helped launch the careers of many comedic talents, such as Dorothy Loudon, Don Adams, George Gobel, Carol Burnett, Don Knotts, Lee Goodman, James Kirkwood, Jr., Lily Tomlin, and Jonathan Winters.

The series featured a relaxed and flexible combination of comedy skits, monologues, singing, and interaction with the studio audience.

[1] In 1958, Moore ended the previous show because of his demanding work schedule, but he returned in the fall with a weekly, hour-long evening series, with the same title and similar format.

[2] The show was taped every Friday evening at CBS Studio 50 (later renamed the Ed Sullivan Theater) and was broadcast the following Tuesday night.

The cast of the second version included Marion Lorne (who appeared as her other Broadway and acting commitments permitted throughout this run) and rising star Carol Burnett (1959–62), who honed her comedic skills for her own future successful variety show.