The Pat Sajak Show was an ambitious attempt by CBS to enter the late-night talk show arena, airing from January 1989 to April 1990. Hosted by Pat Sajak, best known for his role on Wheel of Fortune, the show marked CBS's first foray into late-night talk since The Merv Griffin Show. Despite its promising start, the show faced challenges that led to its eventual cancellation.
Launch and Format
The Pat Sajak Show debuted on January 9, 1989, with a format similar to The Tonight
Show Starring Johnny Carson. It featured a monologue, comedy bits, celebrity interviews, and musical performances. Initially, the show ran for 90 minutes but was later reduced to 60 minutes in October 1989, as CBS executives believed the format was better suited for a shorter time slot.
Pat Sajak left the NBC daytime version of Wheel of Fortune to host the show, although he continued with the syndicated nighttime version. His announcer and sidekick was Dan Miller, a friend and former colleague from WSM-TV in Nashville. The in-studio band was led by jazz musician Tom Scott, adding a musical flair to the program.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite the initial excitement, The Pat Sajak Show struggled to compete with established late-night programs. The ratings were generally half those of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show and were further diminished by the success of The Arsenio Hall Show, which launched in syndication the same month.
A notable controversy occurred when radio host Rush Limbaugh guest-hosted the show shortly before its cancellation. Limbaugh's departure from the regular format to engage with the audience on political topics led to heated exchanges and accusations of prejudice against him. This incident highlighted the show's struggle to find its footing in the competitive late-night landscape.
Cancellation and Legacy
On April 9, 1990, CBS announced the cancellation of The Pat Sajak Show due to low ratings. The final episode aired on April 13, 1990, with comedian Paul Rodríguez hosting in Sajak's place. CBS returned to its CBS Late Night block of movies and reruns, and would not attempt another late-night talk show until the Late Show with David Letterman debuted in 1993.
The show's legacy includes its impact on CBS's late-night programming strategy and the use of Studio 42 at CBS Television City, which later hosted numerous other talk shows. Although The Pat Sajak Show was short-lived, it remains a notable chapter in the history of late-night television.
