To host this show, Pat Sajak left the daytime network edition of Wheel of Fortune (1975). His last show aired on January 10th, 1989. He stayed on the nighttime syndicated Wheel of Fortune (1983), which moved production the CBS Television City, where this show was recorded.
When the show began its run, it was 90 minutes long. After low ratings, CBS reduced it to one hour.
When Sajak changed the set, TV Guide described it as "the bachelor from hell" studio.
In 1988, with Wheel of Fortune (1983) a smash hit in syndication, CBS late night executive Michael Brockman saw Pat Sajak as CBS's first hope in a generation to get something started in late night. The strategy was simple; get Sajak, who had lots of experience as a funny weather guy in Los Angeles, on the air, let him settle in behind The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) in the ratings, let him grow until Johnny Carson finally retired, and CBS would have a show in place, ready to take command of late night. Sajak would present no threat at all to Carson, especially to the young viewers Carson was apparently losing.
Rod Perth, manager of the CBS-owned station in Chicago, stood up at a closed door-session during an affiliate meeting and asked, in a loud voice: "Why Pat Sajak?" Michael Brockman suggested Perth check the ratings for Wheel of Fortune (1983).