After 17 years on the air, “The Montel Williams Show” is preparing for its grand finale. Barring a reversal by distributor CBS Television Distribution, "Montel" will depart the airwaves following this season.
CBS TV Distribution will offer 260 episodes of the best of "Montel" to stations for fall 2008.
Fox stations, which carried the series in the country’s top two markets, declined to renew the series, according to multiple executives attending the National Association of Television Program Executives convention in Las Vegas.
"We've been honored to have Montel as part of the CBS family for the past 17 years, and we're very excited that 'Montel' will live on through best-of episodes," said John Nogawski, president of the CBS Television Distribution Group. "Stations continue to embrace Montel and his message of social responsibility that has been the cornerstone of his show."
In an interview last year, Mr. Williams alluded to a career change in his future and discussed becoming a full-time actor.
The series is averaging a 1.5 national Nielsen rating this season, down 12% from the same period in the 2006-07 television season. At the top of its game, “The Montel Williams Show” peaked with a 4.4 score during the 1996-97 season.
The off-syndication "Montel" episodes are being offered to stations as well as potential cable outlets without barter. Currently, stations give up 3 1/2 minutes of ad time.
"If they can't make that work, I'd be shocked," said Mr. Nogawski. "This is a chance for the industry to open up its vaults and turn our built-up content into an asset."
11:35: Updated number of seasons in first paragraph
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Comments (18)
Why don't those people realize we don't turn on our sets to be hit with "social responsibility!"
Posted by Red Blanchard | January 30, 2008 2:39 PM
"Social Responsibility?" You mean like allowing a charlatan hag like Sylvia Browne to milk publicity from other peoples' tragedies?
Shyeah, right.
Good riddance.
Posted by RooGrrrl | January 30, 2008 3:15 PM
If that was the case, then "Oprah" would be gone too...
Posted by T Dog | January 30, 2008 3:38 PM
He has been socially responsible and battling with a debilitating disease that doesn't seem to be slowing him down. Lay off. Other than Oprah, what other talk shows that speak such truths do we have to look forward to.
Posted by Hammer | January 30, 2008 4:42 PM
DOES THE MS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MONTEL WILLIAMS SHOW ENDING AFTER 17 YEAR'S ON TELEVISON
Posted by Aaron | January 30, 2008 5:40 PM
to hammer. the answer to your question is "jerry springer" since thats the kind of people who watch these shows anyway haha
Posted by le tigre | January 31, 2008 8:41 PM
I enjoy watching Montel Williams. He is compasionate and helps many people in many situations.
He doesnt NEED the Show, Montel Williams is a succesful person, he has the intellegence to continue to succeed in life without this show.
If you read about his accomplishments in his life, you will learn that.
I am so happy to know that Montel Williams took the time to bring to the medias attention the loss of life of these UNITED STATES SOLDIERS, which were fighting for OUR COUNTRIES FREEDOM! Montel Williams used his FREEDOM OF SPEECH and was fired, how sad is Our good OLE AMERICA, HOME OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE, when they take away our FREEDOM OF SPEECH. THE VERY FREEDOM THESE SOLDIERS FOUGHT AND DIED FOR!
Posted by barb | February 8, 2008 9:09 AM
This is the first I have heard of this.
I enjoy the show and will miss Montel.
Posted by Frances | March 30, 2008 9:24 AM
I totally agree with barb.
He is someone who is honest and sincere with the public on many issues. The leaders of our country could take a lesson from him on being truthful!
Posted by Darlene Thole | April 30, 2008 11:55 AM
i am so sorry to hear this,they take montels show off and leave shows on like jerry springer,who can figure.sorry to see you go,but good luck in whatever you do. god bless sandra
Posted by sandra pennington | May 1, 2008 8:40 AM
I really hate to hear that the show is going off the air Montel is a wonderful person I really love to watch his show he gives a lot of hope to people all over the world. I wish him the best.I pray that someone somewhere will soon find a cure for MS. Id love to see someone be able to help Montel and so many others.
Good luck and remember every one love Montel he is the best of the best
Posted by Lora | May 5, 2008 1:31 PM
Not to mention Maury's miserable screaming paternity show!
I hate Sylvia Browne as much as anyone, but the rest of the show was great.
I dug Montel, especially when he would start to cry. I wish him luck.
Posted by Lari | May 7, 2008 1:47 PM
Montel's show is great! He is a wonderful person and I really enjoy his show. I wish him all the luck in the world and hope to see him in different shows and articles. He is a great humanitarian and will be missed. Dee
Posted by Dee | May 12, 2008 1:33 PM
Montel's show is the most believable talk show left, that is, except for the Sylvia Browne episodes. I'll be sorry to not be able to see new Montel shows. It is a shame that some of the best of TV is lost to the ratings war, but I guess that's the way it goes. Hope to see Montel in other projects to come. I wish for him the best in life, and also with his battle with MS.
Posted by sandy | May 15, 2008 3:00 AM
I enjoyed the Montel show greatly. While there were some shows I liked better than others and while I disagree with some of his guests, why do we have to resort to calling his guests Charlatans or degrading other talk show hosts. Whether we agree or disagree with someone, degrading and name calling is inappropriate. We should try more to be like what Montel and others teach and that is to love and care for each other no matter if we agree or disagree with them. While we may not ourselves agree with Sylvia Browne some people do and Montel obviously did and that does not make them wrong they just have different beliefs.
Posted by cynrey | May 15, 2008 7:55 AM
Just want to say that I love you Montel and Sylvia and certainly hope to see you on another network.
I was absolutely tired of hearing the celebrity gossip prompting this matter. It was overkill on every station. Our country needs to worry and discuss more important matters!
Thank you for all do and try to do Montel! Don't let this little setback upset you!
God Bless!
Posted by Nancy | May 15, 2008 1:12 PM
I will miss his show. Montel Williams is the first talk show host that helped his guests instead of just exploiting them. I notice other talk show hosts started following his example. I admire how he has even used his battle with MS to help other people with his book and his Living Well series.
Posted by Anne | May 15, 2008 2:56 PM
What a GREAT loss to TV to see Montel go. I am in shock!! I have watched & enjoyed him for years. He has such compassion for others and has done a LOT of good during the last 17 years. God Bless you, Montel. You WILL be sorely missed! I repeat-- I am in shock!!!!
Posted by Jeanne Green | May 16, 2008 4:51 PM