The show began its ten-year run on Saturday, January 7, 1989, with Gilbert Gottfried as host, and the first two movies shown that night were Cheerleaders Beach Party (1978) and Monte Là-Dessus! (1983).
Because of its instant popularity with USA Network viewers, a Friday-night version was added. Unlike the Saturday one, which was based in New York City, this one was based in Los Angeles. 'Caroline Schlitt' )qv_, fresh off of the short-lived Camp Midnite (1989), was originally the host of each edition, and it premiered on June 30, 1989, with the first two movies being Lâche-moi les baskets (1976) and Student Confidential (1986).
One of the hallmarks of the program was the way Rhonda Shear would pronounce the show's title whenever she said it. It's difficult to write how she would say it, as she would pronounce the first word with a kind of sexy emphasis, by saying it as, "Up! all night". The result was it had a slightly racy undertone.
Host Caroline Schlitt was let go after one season because producers said she just wasn't working out. They then hired Rhonda Shear who became an immediate hit and helped increase ratings substantially.
In 2015, Rhonda Shear for "USA Up All Night," was inducted into "The Official Horror Host Hall of Fame."