Fans of The Montel Williams Show will have to look elsewhere for surprise paternity tests after this season, as CBS Television Distribution announced the cancellation of the talk show after 17 seasons:

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. […]

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.

Montel Williams, the person, is said to be focused on continuing his activism for MS research and becoming a fulltime actor.

[Source]