Courtroom Dispute Breaks Out as Satirical Show Studio Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character epitomizes the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this recent portrayal as a drug-taking, potty-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 estate that control the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The program is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays 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 major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the end of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular stable of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings declined
- Rebooted 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. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through 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 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 begins 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 spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for comment.
