The Pat Sajak Show was an American late-night talk show that premiered on CBS on January 9, 1989. It marked CBS’s first attempt at a late-night talk show since The Merv Griffin Show left the network in 1972. At the time, Pat Sajak was one of the most recognisable faces on television, thanks to his long-running role as host of Wheel of Fortune.
The show followed the classic late-night format — opening monologue, celebrity interviews, and musical performances. Initially, it ran for 90 minutes each weeknight. However, CBS trimmed it to 60 minutes in October 1989, concluding that the shorter runtime better suited the late-night format. Chevy Chase was the show’s first-ever guest, setting the tone for a parade of high-profile celebrities that followed throughout the season.
Despite a strong premiere week — topping all late-night competitors — the novelty quickly wore off. Within months, the show had fallen behind not only NBC’s Tonight Show but also Late Night with David Letterman and ABC’s Nightline. As ratings continued to slide, Sajak’s hosting duties were reduced to Monday through Thursday, with rotating guest hosts handling Fridays. The show’s most talked-about moment came on March 30, 1990, when guest host Rush Limbaugh broke format by taking the show’s debate into the studio audience — an episode that made national headlines.
CBS cancelled the show on April 9, 1990. Sajak had already taped his final appearance on April 5 and was traveling in Europe when the network announced the cancellation. Comedian Paul Rodriguez guest-hosted the final broadcast on April 13, 1990. After the show’s end, Sajak returned to Wheel of Fortune full-time and continued to host it until his retirement in 2024. Dan Miller served as Sajak’s announcer and sidekick throughout the show’s run, while jazz musician Tom Scott led the in-studio house band.
