Colbert's Final Dig Hits CBS in the Wallet

Stephen Colbert's farewell musical gag ended up costing CBS, but it's all going to charity. After Colbert closed out his final Late Show on May 21 by having his house band play "Linus and Lucy" from the Peanuts specials—all as he joked, "Oh no! I hope this doesn't cost CBS any money!"—the company that controls Vince Guaraldi's Peanuts tunes says it has now struck a licensing deal with the network, reports CBS News. Lee Mendelson Film Productions didn't reveal the amount, but it said every dollar will go to World Central Kitchen, the food-relief nonprofit founded by chef Jose Andres.

Colbert made his dig as he was discussing lawsuits that had been filed over copyrighted Peanuts music and licensing, per USA Today. The former late-night host had already pledged $2.5 million to the group on his second-to-last show. The Mendelson company, which has recently stepped up enforcement of unlicensed Peanuts music use, said it saw the bit as "funny and entertaining," but also as a teachable moment on getting proper music licenses, per a release.