One of Stephen Colbert’s final bits as host of “The Late Show” was a prank that’s now costing CBS a little cash, with the money going to a good cause.
In his “Meanwhile” segment during the May 21 finale, Colbert noted that the owners of the iconic “Linus And Lucy” song from the Charlie Brown TV specials had filed four lawsuits over the unauthorized use of the tune.
“Anyone illegally using that music is gonna have to pay through the nose,” Colbert said.
As he spoke, Louis Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine ― the “Late Show” house band ― began playing the song.
“Is the band right now playing the same ‘Peanuts’ music that I just said people were being sued for, for using without permission?” Colbert asked.
“Yeah,” Cato confirmed. “That’s what we’re [doing] right now.”
“Oh no. I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money,” Colbert deadpanned.
The audience erupted in laughter.
Lee Mendelson Film Productions, which owns the music, said in a news release on Tuesday that CBS is indeed paying up. The company didn’t reveal how much it was getting, but said that it would donate the proceeds to World Central Kitchen, a charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés to provide food in times of crisis.
Colbert donated $2.5 million to the organization last month, raised via an auction of “Late Show” items.
Colbert’s joke about costing CBS money may have also been a dig at the network for claiming “The Late Show” was canceled because it was losing $40 million a year ― a number many people have doubted. Rival late-night host Jimmy Kimmel called the figure “obvious lies.”
Many observers believe the real reason is that parent company Paramount needed FCC approval to complete a massive merger ― and killing “The Late Show” was an offering to President Donald Trump, who often called for the show to be taken off the air.
That merger was approved just one week after CBS announced the end of “The Late Show.”