Key facts
- CBS and Lee Mendelson Film Productions have reached a licensing agreement for the use of "Linus and Lucy" on The Late Show.
- Lee Mendelson Film Productions controls the music catalog of jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi, known for the Peanuts soundtrack.
- All proceeds from the licensing agreement will be donated to World Central Kitchen.
- Stephen Colbert previously donated $2.5 million to World Central Kitchen.
- The company has recently pursued legal action against other entities for unauthorized use of the music.
CBS has reached a licensing agreement with Lee Mendelson Film Productions, the company that controls the music catalog of jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi, for the use of the iconic "Linus and Lucy" song on Stephen Colbert's final episode of The Late Show. The agreement comes after Colbert's on-air performance of the song, which he jokingly expressed concern would cost the network money.
Lee Mendelson Film Productions, which has become increasingly litigious over unauthorized uses of Guaraldi's Peanuts music, announced that all proceeds from the CBS agreement would be donated to World Central Kitchen, a disaster-relief food nonprofit founded by chef José Andrés. This follows a $2.5 million donation Colbert made to the same organization during the penultimate episode of his show.
Jason Mendelson, chairman of Lee Mendelson Film Productions, stated that the company found the music's use on The Late Show "funny and entertaining" and is proud to support World Central Kitchen. He emphasized the importance of obtaining written license agreements for using music in a commercial setting, noting recent legal actions against an apparel manufacturer, a video game producer, a collectibles auction house, and the U.S. Department of the Interior for similar infringements.
The Bay Area-based Lee Mendelson Film Productions was founded by producer Lee Mendelson, who collaborated with Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz, animator Bill Melendez, and composer Vince Guaraldi on the beloved animated Peanuts specials.