Hiken was one of TV's first writer-producers and was the head writer for NBC's "Four Star Revue". He moved from radio to TV as a writer for Milton Berle's radio show, which preceded his legendary TV variety show "Texaco Star Theater". As a writer for "Car 54, Where Are You?" and "The Phil Silvers Show", he exhibited a comic flair, and his capacity for spoofing such entities as the United States Army, the U.S. government, and police forces was exceptional. TV historians attest to Hiken's talent to create zany but lovable characters and also to his ability to draw strong comedic performances from such unlikely celebrities as boxer Rocky Graziano on NBC's sitcom "The Martha Raye Show".