Episode Details

Stephen Colbert’s final Late Show moment turned into a jazz-fueled philanthropy win when he played “Linus and Lucy,” triggering a licensing fee from Lee Mendelson Film Productions — the very company that owns Vince Guaraldi’s iconic Peanuts jazz catalog. Instead of keeping the cash, they donated it all to World Central Kitchen, the same charity Colbert had just pledged $2.5 million to. It’s a quirky, heartwarming twist that also highlights the company’s serious stance on protecting Guaraldi’s music — recently suing brands, games, and even the government for unauthorized use. Founded by Lee Mendelson, a longtime collaborator with Charles Schulz and Bill Melendez, the company’s roots run deep in Peanuts history — and this episode’s chaos ended up being a sweet, unexpected capstone to Colbert’s late-night legacy.

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