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CBS Pays Peanuts Theme, Donates $2.5 M After Show Cancellation

6/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

CBS will pay Lee Mendelson Film Productions for the Peanuts “Linus and Lucy” theme used in The Late Show finale on May 21.
The proceeds, including Colbert’s $2.5 million donation, will go to Chef José Andrés' World Central Kitchen.
Paramount cancelled The Late Show after Colbert criticized a $16.5 million settlement with President Donald Trump.
Paramount said the cancellation was purely financial and linked to a Skydance merger that requires the president’s approval.

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Story summary

CBS will pay Lee Mendelson Film Productions for the Peanuts “Linus and Lucy” theme used in The Late Show finale on May 21.
The proceeds, including Colbert’s $2.5 million donation, will go to Chef José Andrés' World Central Kitchen.
Paramount cancelled The Late Show after Colbert criticized a $16.5 million settlement with President Donald Trump.
Paramount said the cancellation was purely financial and linked to a Skydance merger that requires the president’s approval.