Legal Battle Erupts as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Episode
For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this new depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and estate that own the character's rights.
Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Studio
StudioCanal, behind the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A legal filing, first reported by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.
Disputed Characterization Details
The program is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions.
He then changes to a stereotypical South American accent before exclaiming: "I am from Peru, motherfuckers – I am Paddington Bear from Peru! You probably remember me from the films Paddington, Paddington 2 and Paddington in Peru. I also had a starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the end of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.
Historical Context 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 produced by various media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July marked 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 one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
- Rebooted 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 suggested videos.
In the first show, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges 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 subsequently says the key 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 starts another segment by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Company Statements
StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.
