In Depth
It's a Wrap for 'Montel' at End of Season
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 31
Red Blanchard
Why don't those people realize we don't turn on our sets to be hit with "social responsibility!"
RooGrrrl
"Social Responsibility?" You mean like allowing a charlatan hag like Sylvia Browne to milk publicity from other peoples' tragedies?
Shyeah, right.
Good riddance.
T Dog
If that was the case, then "Oprah" would be gone too...
Hammer
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.
Aaron
DOES THE MS HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH MONTEL WILLIAMS SHOW ENDING AFTER 17 YEAR'S ON TELEVISON
le tigre
to hammer. the answer to your question is "jerry springer" since thats the kind of people who watch these shows anyway haha
barb
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!
Frances
This is the first I have heard of this.
I enjoy the show and will miss Montel.
Darlene Thole
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!
sandra pennington
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
Lora
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
Lari
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.
Dee
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
sandy
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.
cynrey
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.
Nancy
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!
Anne
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.
Jeanne Green
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!!!!
darren
As stated above, Montel Williams is on of the only people who did in fact help his guests instead of exploit them. That's what people who really care about people in general do!!!! And if KEEPING IT REAL is what got his show canelled, then it only means that God has something greater awaiting him in the wings. May God continue to shine his light on Montel and everything he stands for as a person!!!
joanne
i just found out today about montel show i watch his show every day i will miss very much hope to see you on lots of show an good luck with your new wife and ms.miss your show god bless
nora
I feel like an huracine just hit me. What do you mean last show? Where are you going? Why end so soon? You still have to help sooooooooooooooo many people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Where ever you go keep on being the Montel I love.
Honest, kind hearted, compasionate person.
Maybe I can see you and share my story sometime before you leave of after. My intent with my story
is to help and be cusified by all adience.Never the less I still want to tell my story.Please
See you on the other side some day. Will you give me you time there? we would have time to spare.
How about here.please before we finish this life time?
Nora Dubon (562) 298-0138 cell
Waiting on your reply
Thanks in advance
Rachel Adams
I think it is a shame that Montel's show has been cancelled. He has helped so many people, and now they will more than likely put on a show that no one will care to watch. Montel is an angel. and I will surely miss the show.
christina abney
I cant belive his show is being cancled he is such a great person & has helped so many people this is just crazy
Sylvia Bock
So sad and such a huge loss. Love Montel his joy, his honesty and integrity. I can only believe that he will appear again with a wiser network. This seems to be another example of people with power trying to keep a good man down.
alice
I really miss Montel already. This gentleman has done so much good for so many, many people, I can only wish him success and good health to continue his endeavors of helping and sharing with others.
peggy
Montel your a wonderful, warmhearted person, that so many of us look up to. I always wanted to come to see you and sylvia. I wish you both the very best. I will truly miss you, and the show. I wish you well with everything that comes your way and in everything you do. It just won't be the same without you. Take Care and God Bless You.
Debbie
Just want to say that I love you Montel and Sylvia and certainly hope to see you on another network.
Cathy Marzano
Montel you will surely be missed, I just want to say that I have loved watching your show. You have entertained us for 17 wonderful years. Please stay as wonderful as you are,I know that you will. I wish you good health forever and alot of happiness in the future you are a wonderful person, ( and also very handsome) your loyal fan forever Cathy Marzano
Bobbie Riplie
Montel you saved my life and you don't even know it. How will I ever thank you. The show was when you told about taking a gun and wanting to end your life due to your M.S. You had me crying. My husband and I went right out and got your book. I have MS and planned my funeral. You told me how to eat, and excerise. The most I had gotten was to reach for the tv remote. Wheel-chair bound,sleeping in a hospitol bed and giving up on life. That was the first day of the rest of my new life. Now I work out at the 24 fitness cent where my trainer helped to learn I could do much more than I ever dreamed. Please God let him know. Oh I didn't like Ms Brown. You were awsume. Read my story in 24 hr. fitness magazine.
Connie Risner
Is Montel Williams alive I heard he passed away?
maxine douglas
I saw someone by the name of Cupcake Brown on the Montel show. How canI get in touch with her?