Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Faces Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character epitomizes the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this new depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.
However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the film studio and rights holders that control the intellectual property.
Court Action Initiated Against Studio
The film producers, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and creative ownership concerns. The legal document omits the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes segments about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Disputed Characterization Details
The program is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who portrays the character in latest movie adaptations.
He then switches to a stereotypical South American accent before exclaiming: "I am from Peru, motherfuckers – I am Paddington Bear from Peru! You most likely remember me from the films Paddington, Paddington 2 and Paddington in Peru. I also had a major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the end of the episode, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts created by various media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Original series was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
- Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Lasted two series before being cancelled again
Digital Transformation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who browse recommended content.
In the first show, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages the conservative billionaire to go to Mars. "You are excessively genius for one planet," he says. "As I say about my cocaine, it is only right to share."
He later says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The pair also present an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear begins another segment by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Official Responses
StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for comment.