Stephen Colbert Uses Copyrighted ‘Peanuts’ Music During Finale: ‘I Hope This Doesn’t Cost CBS Any Money!’

During the final episode of The Late Show, host Stephen Colbert purposely used copyrighted music during a segment, a move that could potentially cost his former bosses at CBS a lot of dough if the music was unauthorized, and the usage were to end in a lawsuit.
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“Peanuts is a powerful brand and corporation in and of itself. Anyone illegally using that music is going to have to pay through the nose,” he said, before addressing his band leader, Louis Cato. “Louis, Louis! Is the band right now playing the same Peanuts music I just said people were being sued for, for using without permission? Is that what you’re doing?” The band was indeed launching into the familiar Vince Guaraldi song. “Oh no, I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money!” Colbert said.

The Late Show was canceled in July 2025 after CBS and its parent company Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit with President Donald Trump. CBS cited that it was a “purely a financial decision.” However, many speculated that Paramount killed the show to curry favor with Trump — Colbert has been a vocal critic — and the FCC to help secure the merger between Paramount and Skydance.