Stephen Colbert arrives for The Hollywood Reporter's The Most Powerful People in Media, in New York, on May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz
Stephen Colbert left one last gift — or "final revenge" — for CBS before he exited the network.
CBS will now have to pay an undisclosed amount to Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Inc. after the comedian and host used the Peanuts TV specials’ theme during a segment of The Late Show finale, The Daily Beast reported on Tuesday.
"The Late Show house band, Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine, played the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s well-known 'Linus and Lucy' music in a segment where the host discussed Lee Mendelson Film Productions’ stringent enforcement of its copyright on the song," according to The Beast.
"Oh no! I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money!" Colbert joked.
The "pre-planned gotcha" stunt was not an accident, but instead a move to hit CBS's wallet. According to the licensing agreement, the payout will go to World Central Kitchen — Colbert's charity of choice and his final word in the feud.
Colbert accused Paramount of buying President Donald Trump's favor — $16 million to settle a 60 Minutes suit — right as the company was courting the Trump administration's approval for its Skydance deal.
Report typos and corrections to corrections@rawstory.com.
For customer support contact support@rawstory.com.
