Legal Dispute Erupts as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and restraint – making this recent depiction as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and estate that own the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right concerns. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The program is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions.
He then switches 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 seemingly losing consciousness.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The court action come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular collection of podcasts produced by various media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Original series was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who browse recommended content.
In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges the rightwing billionaire to go to Mars. "You are too much genius for one planet," he says. "As I say about my cocaine, it is only right to share."
He subsequently says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The duo also present an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear starts another section 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 representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.