Stephen Colbert seized the opportunity to take a shot at CBS one last time during his final episode of The Late Show.
On the Thursday, May 21, installment of the late night show, Colbert, 62, conducted his usual “Meanwhile” segment in which he poked fun at news headlines. Colbert specifically brought up how the owner of the music from A Charlie Brown Christmas and other Peanuts television specials has filed four lawsuits “against those illegally using the famous song ‘Linus and Lucy.’”
“Now 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, Louis,” he said to his band leader, Louis Cato.
Cato and the Great Big Joy Machine band then started to play the cartoon’s iconic song.
“Excuse me, Louis, is the band, is the band right now playing the same Peanuts music that I just said people are being sued for, for using without permission? Is that what you’re doing?” Colbert asked before he quipped, “Oh no, I hope this doesn’t cost CBS any money.”
CBS announced in July 2025 that The Late Show would end, which sparked immediate backlash. Network executives then released a statement addressing their decision, claiming it was not “related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount” but was instead due to finances.
Colbert broke his silence about the shocking cancellation at the time.
“Before we start the show I want to let you know something that I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season,” he announced during a taping in July 2025 as the audience booed. “I share your feelings. It’s not just the end of our show, but it’s the end of The Late Show on CBS. I’m not being replaced. This is all just going away.”
He continued: “I do want to say that the folks at CBS have been great partners. … And I’m grateful to the audience, you, who have joined us every night, in here, out there and all around the world.”
Some were still skeptical about the move, since it came after an episode in which Colbert spoke out about Paramount, CBS’ parent company, settling what he called “a nuisance lawsuit” brought by President Donald Trump. In his lawsuit, the president alleged that 60 Minutes had unfairly edited an interview of Kamala Harris.
“I do not dispute their rationale [that it was for financial reasons],” Colbert told The New York Times in April when asked about viewers who are questioning the reason for his late night talk show coming to an end. “I do make jokes about it.”
The comedian said he could see both sides of the argument.
“But I also completely understand why people would say (A) that doesn’t make sense to me and (B) that seems fishy to me,” he noted. “Because the network did it to themselves by bending the knee to the Trump administration over a $20 billion, settled for $16 million, completely frivolous lawsuit.”
During Thursday’s final episode, Colbert released a special message for fans.
“I talked to the audience beforehand, and tonight I thought I’d talk to the audience in here [the Ed Sullivan Theater] and the audience out there at home,” he said. “This show, I want you to know, has been a joy for us to do for you. In fact, we call this show The Joy Machine because to do this many shows, it has to be a machine.”
Colbert thanked the audience for tuning in over the years.
“I just want to let all y’all know in here and out there how important you’ve been to what we have done. The energy that you’ve given us, we sincerely need that to have done the best possible show we could have for you for the last 11 years,” he continued. “You’ve given it to us, we’ve given it all right back to you.”
He continued: “We love doing this show for you, but we really, really love is doing the show with you. Now, I’ll say to you what I’ve said to every audience for the last 11 years, and I’ve meant it every time: Have a good show. Thanks for being here. And let’s do it, y’all.”
