Legal Dispute Erupts as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Legal Action Over Paddington Bear Episode
Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this new depiction as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.
Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the film studio and rights holders that control the intellectual property.
Court Action Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.
A legal filing, first reported by industry media, cites intellectual property and design right concerns. The legal document 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 segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump 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 dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie adaptations.
He then changes to a generic 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 major part 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 passing out.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular stable of podcasts produced by various media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
- 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 service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
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 secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The pair also announce an advert 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."
Official Responses
StudioCanal refused to comment. A representative 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.
