CBS pays for Colbert’s Peanuts music gag — fee goes to World Central Kitchen

For U.S. late-night fans, Stephen Colbert’s final joke on CBS now has a real-world price tag — and a charitable ending. CBS has reached a licensing agreement with Lee Mendelson Film Productions over the use of Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus and Lucy” during the May 21 finale of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. The amount was not disclosed, but the proceeds will be donated to Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen.

The Backstory

The music at the center of the story is “Linus and Lucy,” Vince Guaraldi’s famous jazz composition associated with Peanuts television specials. Lee Mendelson Film Productions, which owns and stewards Guaraldi’s music, has recently been enforcing its copyright over the catalog through a series of legal actions.

Those actions targeted several alleged unauthorized uses, including by an apparel accessories manufacturer, a video game producer, a collectibles auction house and the U.S. Department of the Interior. For television networks, streaming platforms, advertisers and creators, the case is a reminder that familiar music can carry serious licensing obligations when used in a commercial setting.

That context is what made Colbert’s finale bit land. During the May 21 episode, he was discussing the company’s copyright enforcement while Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine began playing the very song at issue. Billboard reported that the agreement means CBS took a license for the song after the episode.

Here's What Happened

The segment unfolded as a deliberately risky joke. Colbert referenced the copyright crackdowns, then turned toward bandleader Louis Cato as the band played “Linus and Lucy.” The punchline was simple: CBS might have to pay for the music after the fact.

That is now what happened. Variety reported that CBS struck a deal to pay Lee Mendelson Film Productions an undisclosed amount for the use of the song in the finale. The company said the proceeds from the agreement will be donated to World Central Kitchen.

The charity angle is not incidental. The Late Show and Colbert had already donated $2.5 million to World Central Kitchen and José Andrés during the show’s penultimate episode. Lee Mendelson Film Productions said its donation follows that lead.

CBS did not immediately respond to requests for comment in some reports, while Billboard said a CBS spokeswoman confirmed the agreement but declined to comment. The fee itself has not been made public.

What People Are Saying

Jason Mendelson, chairman of Lee Mendelson Film Productions, framed the deal as both good-humored and educational. His company did not treat the Late Show segment as a routine infringement fight; it used the moment to point back to licensing rules.

LMFP found the music’s use on The Late Show funny and entertaining, and is proud to support World Central Kitchen’s mission.

Mendelson also said the company’s enforcement work is meant to teach businesses and organizations that written licenses are needed before using music commercially. Colbert’s own line from the finale became the story’s hook because it predicted the outcome.

Oh no! I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money!

The Bigger Picture

The agreement matters beyond one late-night joke because it shows how fast a nostalgic song can turn into a legal and financial issue. “Linus and Lucy” is widely recognizable, which makes it valuable; that same value gives the rights holder a strong reason to police unauthorized use.

For U.S. media companies, the lesson is practical. A network show, a brand video, a social post or a digital card can all require music clearance. The cost of skipping that step can exceed the price of a license, especially when a rights owner is actively enforcing its catalog.

The charitable outcome softens the story. Instead of a public lawsuit over the Late Show finale, the fee will support World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that provides meals during crises including natural disasters and civil unrest. That keeps the final chapter of Colbert’s CBS run closer to comedy than courtroom drama.

The Road Ahead

Lee Mendelson Film Productions has already signaled that it will continue pushing for proper licensing of Guaraldi’s music. The company’s broader legal actions show that the CBS deal was not an isolated concern.

For Colbert, the gag now has the ending he joked about: CBS paid, the amount stayed private, and the money is headed to a relief organization the show had already supported.