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.

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CBS Television Distribution has renewed talk show Rachael Ray through 2009-2010.

The program is this season’s highest-rated new syndicated show:

“It’s clear that Rachael’s devoted fans are happy to welcome her into their living rooms every day, and the positive response from our affiliate stations has been tremendous,” Roger King, chief executive officer of CBS Television Distribution, said in a news release.

Rachael Ray premiered in September with the highest-rated talk show debut since Dr. Phil in 2002.

Geraldo Rivera’s Geraldo at Large show airing in syndication has been cancelled after receiving low ratings and only managing to attract an older demographic:

The news-oriented newsmagazine was foiled, in part, because it didn’t have a distinctive home within the 93 markets that were airing it, said Bill Carroll, an expert in syndication for Katz Television. It was broadcast live in the late afternoon, but nearly half the stations are showing it after 11:30 p.m., he said.

The show’s audience also proved too small and too old, he said.

Rivera will return to work at Fox News Channel, which will bring back At Large with Geraldo Rivera on weekends.

The Megan Mullally Show has been cancelled by NBC Universal Television Distribution after only 5 months, after receiving low ratings in syndication.

“I am extremely proud of the show we created and am thankful for the passion and tireless efforts of (executive producer) Corin Nelson and the entire staff,” Mullally said in a statement Wednesday issued by NBC Universal.

Mullally, who played the outrageous and spoiled socialite Karen on “Will & Grace,” was lauded by NBC Universal as “one of the most talented people in our business,” and the company thanked her for her “tireless commitment.”

Her talk show only managed to attract 1 million daily viewers.

Mullally became interested in hosting her own show after filling in for David Letterman on The Late Show in 2003.

CBS Television Distribution renewed Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! through the 2011-2012 season:

Wheel of Fortune,” in its 24th season, draws more than 46 million viewers weekly and consistently has ranked as the top-rated syndicated show, CBS said. “Jeopardy!” is in its 23rd season, is seen by more than 37 million viewers a week and is among syndication’s top three shows.

Show hosts Pat Sajak and Alex Trebek have yet to be offered talent contract renewals through 2011, however. Nor has letter-turner Vanna White.