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CBS planned its first “CBS Birthday Salute” for Kathy Bates’s 77th birthday on June 28, 2025. The tribute was designed to reach viewers through broadcast and CBS and Matlock social accounts, with messages from colleagues, fan tributes, an original song and celebratory promos.
What was the CBS Birthday Salute?
It was a day-and-evening celebration CBS announced for Bates’s birthday, rather than a documentary or a single program. In a report published June 27, 2025, CBS said it had planned a collection of tribute elements across its broadcast and social platforms. The report does not provide a detailed broadcast schedule or identify every segment’s airtime. AOL’s June 27, 2025 report, republishing Stephanie Wenger’s PEOPLE story, is the account of the announcement.
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How was the tribute supposed to reach viewers?
CBS planned to share salute material on air and through CBS and Matlock social accounts. These were complementary parts of the event, not competing services. The report did not specify particular social platforms or give a complete schedule of posts and broadcast segments.
The announcement also described promotional elements tied to the date: a Candier birthday candle discount and a custom Paper Source reel inspired by Bates’s role in Matlock. Both were historical promotions offered for the June 28, 2025 event, not current deals.
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Who and what were part of the celebration?
The report described messages from Bates’s Matlock co-star Jason Ritter, as well as Billy Bob Thornton, Brooke Shields and Melissa McCarthy. CBS Mornings personalities Gayle King, Nate Burleson, Vladimir Duthiers and Adriana Diaz were also named among those taking part.
- Celebrity messages: The report named Ritter, Thornton, Shields, McCarthy and the four CBS Mornings personalities.
- Fan tributes: One was planned from a fan who dresses as Annie Wilkes, Bates’s obsessive-fan character in Misery.
- Original music: The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles was slated to perform an original “CBS Birthday Salute” song. Composer Greg O’Connor’s website lists a score titled “KATHY BATES CBS BIRTHDAY SALUTE” and provides a PDF download: Greg O’Connor’s charts and film scores.
- Charitable giving: CBS planned a $10,000 donation to charitable organizations in Bates’s honor. The report did not name the recipient organizations or establish whether the donation was completed.
What did CBS say about honoring Bates?
CBS President and Chief Marketing Officer Mike Benson was quoted in the report as saying: “Who better to celebrate than Kathy Bates for our inaugural ‘CBS Birthday Salute’?! She’s truly a national treasure.” The same report quoted him describing the broader purpose: “We’re thinking of them as a reminder to celebrate the people who bring light into our lives, on screen and off…”
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Benson also said: “We’re so proud to have her and Matlock on CBS, and we’ve had a lot of fun planning all the elements honoring her throughout the day and evening this Saturday, her actual birthday.” These remarks were presented as part of a CBS statement in the report, not as an independently reported interview.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What did the announcement say about Matlock?
The report said Matlock was expected to return for season two in fall 2025 and stream on Paramount+. That was the plan reported in June 2025; it does not by itself establish the show’s present availability, which can vary by date and market.
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