Powell had intended for the program to feature himself, Charles Boyer, Joel McCrea and Rosalind Russell; however, Russell and McCrea backed out, and David Niven came on board as the "third star". The fourth star would be a guest star at first. CBS liked the idea, and "Four Star Playhouse" made its debut in the fall of 1952. While it ran on alternate weeks during its first season (the program it alternated with was the television version of "Amos 'n' Andy"), it was successful enough to be renewed and become a weekly program beginning with the second season and until the end of its run in 1956.