Stephen Colbert may have signed off from “The Late Show” with one final joke, but it turns out the gag came with real-world consequences for CBS. 

Nearly a month after the comedian playfully suggested that a musical stunt during his show’s finale could cost the network money, a licensing agreement has now been confirmed. 

The situation, which began as a tongue-in-cheek moment involving one of television’s most recognizable tunes, ultimately led CBS to strike a deal with the company that controls the rights to the beloved music.

During the final episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on May 21, the longtime host appeared to knowingly flirt with copyright trouble while discussing legal disputes surrounding music from the classic “Charlie Brown” television specials.

The segment focused on recent enforcement efforts involving the “Peanuts” franchise and the iconic music composed by Vince Guaraldi. 

As Colbert spoke about lawsuits tied to unauthorized use of the music, he reminded viewers that the rights holders take the matter seriously.

“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,” Colbert said during the broadcast. 

The warning set up what would become one of the show’s final comedic moments.

Colbert Called Out His Own Band Mid-Segment

As Stephen Colbert continued speaking, bandleader Louis Cato and “The Late Show” house band, the Great Big Joy Machine, began playing Guaraldi’s instantly recognizable “Linus and Lucy” theme in the background.

The host immediately drew attention to the music, pretending to realize what was happening in real time. 

“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?” he asked.

Moments later, Colbert delivered the joke that would later prove surprisingly prophetic. “Oh no, I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money!” he joked.

At the time, the line appeared to be just another playful jab during his farewell episode. 

Weeks later, however, it became clear there was more truth behind the joke than viewers realized.

Stephen Colbert’s Musical Bit Led To A Licensing Agreement

According to the Daily Mail, Lee Mendelson Film Productions, Inc., the company that oversees Vince Guaraldi’s musical catalog, has now confirmed that CBS entered into a licensing agreement covering the use of “Linus and Lucy” during the finale.

According to the company, the performance required formal licensing approval after the episode aired. While the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, the arrangement officially resolved the use of the famous Peanuts tune featured during the broadcast.

The licensing agreement also produced an unexpected charitable benefit. Lee Mendelson Film Productions announced that all proceeds generated through the CBS licensing deal will be donated to World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit founded by celebrity chef José Andrés.

The organization is known for providing meals to communities affected by humanitarian crises, natural disasters, and conflicts worldwide.

The donation carries additional significance because World Central Kitchen had already played a role in the final days of Colbert’s program.

During the penultimate episode of “The Late Show,” Colbert and the show presented a $2.5 million donation to the organization and Andrés.

Stephen Colbert’s Final CBS Gag Earns Praise From Rights Holders

Rather than expressing frustration over the unauthorized use of the music, Lee Mendelson Film Productions embraced both the humor and the outcome.

Jason Mendelson, the company’s chairman, praised the segment while explaining the broader purpose of the organization’s enforcement efforts.

“LMFP found the music’s use on The Late Show funny and entertaining, and is proud to support World Central Kitchen’s mission,” Mendelson said in a statement.

He also emphasized that protecting the music remains an important part of the company’s work.

According to him, “A principal goal of our enforcement actions is to educate individuals, businesses, and government entities about the need to obtain written license agreements to use music in a commercial setting.”

Colbert Takes Aim At CBS During Surprise Hosting Return

Last month, Stephen Colbert made an unexpected return to television less than a day after ending his 11-year run on CBS’ “The Late Show,” stepping in as guest host of Michigan public-access program “Only in Monroe.”

As The Blast reported, the comedian used the appearance to poke fun at his former network, joking, “It’s been an excruciating 23 hours without being on TV, so I am grateful to be able to be here on Monroe Community Media before they also get acquired by Paramount.” 

Colbert also mocked CBS’ approach to streaming, telling viewers they could watch online through technology and adding, “which I promised not to learn about while I was on CBS. And evidently CBS also decided not to learn about it.” 

Ultimately, the surprise hosting stint became a talking point among fans, as it also featured appearances by Jeff Daniels, Jack White, Steve Buscemi, Eminem, and Byron Allen.

Sofía Vergara has once again shown herself to be one of Shakira’s biggest supporters.

The actress attended the World Cup opening ceremony, where the singer performed the event’s anthem, “Dia Dia.”

Vergara later took to Instagram to share a photo of herself with the “Hips Don’t Lie” hitmaker, as well as a video of herself dancing while Shakira performed on stage. The singer was also spotted blowing a kiss to her fellow Latin star.

At Shakira’s World Cup opening ceremony performance, Vergara was front and center, dancing along as the singer thrilled the packed crowd.

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The actress was there to support her friend, and the gesture seemingly didn’t go unnoticed by the Latin superstar. In viral videos that circulated online, the two shared a brief but heartwarming moment that drew cheers from attendees.

While singing and dancing on stage, Shakira spotted Vergara in the front row, fully immersed in the performance. The singer then blew her a kiss before continuing her choreography.

The gesture immediately brought a huge smile to Vergara’s face, and she continued dancing and singing along to the performance.

Fans Call Shakira And Vergara ‘Latina Royalty’

Fans on social media appeared to enjoy the heartfelt moment between the two Latin stars and expressed their excitement in online comments.

“Two icons in one moment, that’s a cultural crossover we didn’t know we needed,” one individual wrote.

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“Aww man, two queens from Barranquilla just making the whole stadium melt. Shakira blowing that kiss was so pure,” a second user commented.

“Latina royalty acknowledging Latina royalty. The crowd never stood a chance,” said a third.

“Shakira spotting Sofia and blowing that kiss is pure bestie energy,” one more wrote, while another remarked, “you can tell there’s a lot of mutual respect between them.”

Another user also praised Shakira for acknowledging her friend’s support.

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“I really like the way she cares about the people she knows,” the individual mentioned.

Sofía Vergara Gushed Over Shakira After The Show

After the performance, Vergara headed backstage to see Shakira and ended up taking a photo with the singer.

She later took to Instagram to share the picture, which showed both women all smiles as they enjoyed each other’s company.

In the shot, Vergara remained dressed in the outfit she wore to the event, a yellow tank top paired with denim jeans. Meanwhile, Shakira had changed out of her performance attire and was wearing what appeared to be a glittering light blue tracksuit.

Vergara also added another clip from the performance showing her dancing, singing, and clapping along as Shakira performed. She captioned the post, “Con la más más!!!! Barranquilla in tha house!!!” which loosely translates to, “With the best of the best! Barranquilla is in the house!”

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Shakira Celebrated Sofía Vergara’s ‘Griselda’ Success

Last year, Shakira also shared her love for Vergara by congratulating her ahead of the premiere of Vergara’s Netflix series “Griselda.”

“Hi Sofi, congratulations on your new show ‘Griselda’, I’ll be seeing you this Thursday, a kiss,” the singer said in a social media post, referencing the premiere date in January 2024.

In the series, Vergara stars as Griselda Blanco, the former leader of the Medellín Cartel and mentor to Pablo Escobar, who became known as the “Godmother of Cocaine.”

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Following its debut, the series received positive reviews from critics, with much of the praise directed at Vergara’s performance in the lead role.

Subsequently, the “Hot Pursuit” star was nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film.

Shakira Will Return For The World Cup Final

Fans of Shakira will see her on stage again to round off the 2026 World Cup on July 19.

The singer is set to make history as a co-headliner of the inaugural World Cup Final halftime show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. During the event, she will share the stage with music legend Madonna and global K-pop powerhouse BTS.

The event will also serve a charitable purpose, with proceeds supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The initiative is dedicated to expanding access to quality education and football opportunities for children around the world.

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Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO’s split has dominated headlines, but it was the reaction from the country star’s daughter that quickly grabbed attention. 

As fans flooded social media with theories and speculation about the end of the couple’s nearly decade-long marriage, Bailee Ann decided she had seen enough. 

The 18-year-old took aim at those dissecting her family’s personal life, delivering a blunt message that left little doubt about how she feels. Her comments come as new attention falls on the bond she has long shared with Bunnie XO.

Bailee Ann has broken her silence following news that Jelly Roll and Bunnie XO are ending their marriage. 

The 18-year-old, whom the country star shares with ex-girlfriend Felicia Beckwith, took to TikTok on Tuesday to address the growing public interest surrounding the breakup.

Rather than discuss the divorce directly, Bailee criticized those closely following developments within her family. 

“I am disgusted at how invested everyone is in a very clearly private family matter,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself lying in bed.

The teenager then urged followers to focus on their own lives instead. “Worry about your house – not mine,” she shared per the Daily Mail.  

While many hoped she would provide clarity about the situation, Bailee made it clear she was not prepared to speak publicly. “I’m not speaking on it – yet,” she added. 

Her comments arrived less than 24 hours after reports surfaced that Jelly Roll had filed for divorce from Bunnie last month.

Jelly Roll’s Daughter Has Always Shared A Close Bond With Bunnie XO

Bailee’s reaction drew attention partly because of the famously close relationship she has with Bunnie. 

When Jelly Roll gained primary custody of his daughter in 2017, Bunnie stepped into a motherly role and helped raise her. 

Over the years, the pair frequently documented their relationship online, sharing videos and photos that showcased their bond. Many of those clips carried the hashtag “#baileeandbunnie,” while Bailee has often referred to Bunnie as her mom on social media.

Last year, she even joked about having her “mom” Bunnie’s back “a little too much” while discussing how fiercely she defended her against critics. The affection has gone both ways.

During an appearance on “Today with Jenna and Sheinelle,” Bunnie reflected on how deeply she connected with Bailee because they shared similar childhood experiences involving mothers who struggled with addiction.

“When I met Bailee, I was looking at a younger version of me. Our lives are so parallel with the addict moms and just in and out of our lives,” the media personality shared. 

She described Bailee as “so independent and so headstrong and tenacious,” adding, “When I saw her, I was like this is me and she deserves the chance I didn’t get.”

Jelly Roll And Bunnie XO Often Spoke About Building A Family Together

Bunnie has repeatedly credited Bailee with changing her and Jelly Roll’s lives for the better. 

Speaking about their journey as parents, she admitted that discussions about Bailee often left her emotional.

According to Bunnie, helping raise Bailee forced both adults to embrace responsibilities they had previously avoided.

“She really just was such a catalyst in my husband and I having to grow up and become adults. We were running from becoming adults for so long, and it was all because we wanted to give Bailee a chance,” Bunnie explained.

The podcast host also made it clear that she considered Bailee her daughter in every way that matters. 

In her words, “She’s such a good kid, and I’m like, you know what, we did that. Like, I know that I didn’t birth her, but that’s my child. That’s my kid. I will ride for her until forever.”

Jelly Roll And Bunnie XO Overcame Major Obstacles During Their Marriage]

Jelly Roll and Bunnie’s relationship was far from perfect, but both frequently spoke about the challenges they overcame together.

They first met in 2015 while she was still involved in another relationship. After that romance ended, the two began dating and married the following year at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

Recalling their first meeting during a 2022 appearance on “Taste Of Country Nights,” Jelly Roll said, “We hit it off. She said she fell in love with the saddest eyes in the room.”

Their marriage faced a major setback in 2018 when they briefly separated after the singer admitted to having an affair. Speaking candidly about it last year, he described it as “one of the worst moments” of his life.

He explained that they worked hard to repair their relationship and said the healing process had been meaningful.

Jelly Roll Continued Working As Divorce News Became Public

Despite the headlines, Jelly Roll has largely remained focused on his career. Rather than retreat from the spotlight after the news emerged, he traveled to Toronto to perform with Post Malone at Rogers Stadium as part of their joint tour. 

The tour, which was delayed from its original May launch date because of a scheduling conflict, is expected to continue through October.

Meanwhile, the timing of the split is particularly notable given the public praise the couple exchanged earlier this year. 

In February, Bunnie spoke warmly about Jelly Roll’s 300-pound weight-loss transformation, saying it had given him a “new zest for life.”

That same month, the 41-year-old honored his wife during a Grammy acceptance speech. “I want to thank my beautiful wife. I would have never changed my life without you,” he said, adding, “I would have ended up dead or in jail. I would have killed myself if it wasn’t for you and Jesus. I thank you for that.”