CBS reaches agreement over Stephen Colbert’s musical choice in final show
On his last day hosting CBS’s The Late Show, Stephen Colbert purposefully played the iconic jazz song ‘Linus and Lucy’ from the Peanuts soundtrack without authorisation, in an effort to drum up a licensing fee for the network.
“Oh no! I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money!” Colbert joked cheekily as Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine performed the song live on air.
The musical move was a final dig at the network, which appeared to have shouldered Colbert out due to his criticism of the Trump administration.
Notably, the decision coincided with Paramount, the owner of CBS, seeking federal approval from the Trump administration to complete its merger with Skydance. At the time, Paramount also settled a $16million lawsuit with the president, described by Colbert on air as a “big fat bribe”.
Colbert’s final wish on his final show came true. Lee Mendelson Film Productions, the company that controls jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi’s Peanuts catalogue, has announced a licensing agreement with CBS for an undisclosed amount.
The company has become increasingly litigious over unauthorised uses of the music in recent memory, hence Colbert’s pointed request.
The production company has confirmed that all proceeds would go to World Central Kitchen, the disaster-relief food nonprofit founded by chef José Andrés. Colbert donated $2.5million to the same company during the penultimate episode of The Late Show.
“LMFP found the music’s use on The Late Show funny and entertaining, and is proud to support World Central Kitchen’s mission,” admitted Jason Mendelson, chairman of the company, as per The Guardian.
The statement continued, “A principal goal of our enforcement actions is to educate individuals, businesses, and government entities about the need to obtain written license agreements to use music in a commercial setting.”
Elsewhere in his final episode, Bryan Cranston, Paul Rudd, Tim Meadows, Tig Notaro, and Ryan Reynolds all showed up, while Paul McCartney gave the host his final-ever interview.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.