MONTEL WILLIAMS ON HIS FIGHT WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ON OPRAH, MARCH 17

MONTEL WILLIAMS OPENS UP TO OPRAH
ABOUT HIS FIGHT WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS ON
"THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW" TUESDAY, MARCH 17

--Basketball legend Magic Johnson, actress Fran Drescher and figure skater
Scott Hamilton also share their stories of life after a devastating medical
diagnosis--

CHICAGO, IL – Emmy Award-winning talk show host and author Montel
Williams is opening up like never before and sharing the private pain behind his
very public battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) on "The Oprah Winfrey Show"
Tuesday, March 17, 2009. For the past ten years, Williams has been in the
fight of his life; diagnosed with MS, a life-threatening neurological disease, he
spiraled into depression and came close to ending his life. Now, in an
emotional interview, Williams talks candidly about his daily battles, his hopes,
his fears and his new book, "Living Well Emotionally."

Says Williams, "My primary symptom is pain. I've got pain from my shins to
my feet 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and it's been there for the last ten
years."

During his 17 years as host of "The Montel Williams Show," he reveals to
Oprah the times when he struggled behind-the-scenes: "Â…a couple times my
commercial breaks would be a little long and people wouldn't understand why.
Because when I hurt like this, I go backstage, sit down for a second, let out
a good cryÂ…let it goÂ…refocus, come back out and sit down and do another
interview...I was doing that every day."

Williams shares a revealing day-in-the-life that includes his daily medication
regimen ("about 27 pills every day," according to Williams), the injections he
must take and his fight to stay active. Williams says, "I can't run anymore.
Running is gone." And when asked what his biggest fear is, he answers "Not
being able to walk."

Through it all, Williams maintains his determination. Says Williams, "I could
quit and say that's it -- stay in bed and not get up. Or I can get my butt up
every single day [and be] a contributing member to this society and try and
figure out how I deal with it. This is what God gave me. So rather than look
at it as a bane, it's got to be a gift."

Finally, Dr. Oz gives a special report on how to cope after being diagnosed
with a life-threatening illness. Plus, basketball legend Magic Johnson, actress
Fran Drescher and figure skater Scott Hamilton share their stories of how
their lives have changed since being diagnosed with critical illnesses.

"The Oprah Winfrey Show" has remained the number one talk show for 22
consecutive seasons, winning every sweep since its debut in 1986.** It is
produced in Chicago by Harpo Productions, Inc. and syndicated to 214
domestic stations by CBS Television Distribution Group and to 144 countries
by CBS Paramount International Television.

Sources:
**Nielsen Cassandra Ranking Report - Nov'86 to July '99 and Wrap Sweeps,
Nov '99 to July '08. Primary Telecasts Only.
# # #