He turned to directing television when there was less need for low-budget movies to serve as the second half of a double feature. His skills were perfect for TV. His TV career began in 1950 with directing "The Jack Benny Program", on which he was played several times by actor Ross Elliott. Other programs he directed include "The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show," "The Bob Cummings Show", "The George Gobel Show", "December Bride", "Leave It to Beaver", "My Three Sons" (108 episodes), and "The Smothers Brothers Show". He directed and/or produced more than 500 TV series or segments. He produced "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" starting in 1970 using the name Fred de Cordova. He became producer of the show in 1970 and executive producer in 1984. He described his job as "..chief traffic cop, talent scout, No. 1 fan and critic all rolled into one" in a 1981 interview. de Cordova was described as ".. a large, looming, beaming man with horn-rimmed glasses, an Acapulcan tan, and an engulfing handshake that is a contract in itself, complete with small print and an option for renewal on both sides." He was executive producer when the final Carson "Tonight Show" signed off on May 22, 1992. He won five Emmys for his work on the show.