The series was one of the results of Carson coming to terms with NBC on a contract extension in 1981. In exchange for his continued services, Carson received ownership of the show, including the rights to the entire extant archive of his hosting span. "Carson's Comedy Classics" was one of the most immediate ways Carson cashed in on his product; he and his staff created a clip show consisting of highlights from the 20 years of "The Tonight Show" Carson had hosted up to that point and sold the rights to Columbia Pictures Television for $26 million.