Legal Dispute Breaks Out as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Episode
Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – making this recent portrayal as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.
Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Production Company
The film producers, behind the hit 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 design right issues. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The program is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in latest movie versions.
He then changes to a stereotypical South American accent before shouting: "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 chaotic Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.
Historical Context of Satirical Show
The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful stable 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 long tradition of offending its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Original series was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Lasted two series before being cancelled again
Platform Adaptation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through suggested videos.
In the premiere episode, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington encourages the conservative 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 key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The pair also announce an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear begins another section by commenting: "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 issue was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.
