Courtroom Battle Erupts as Spitting Image Production Company Faces Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this recent portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and rights holders that control the character's rights.
Court Action Initiated Against Studio
StudioCanal, behind the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, first reported by industry media, cites copyright and creative ownership concerns. The court filing doesn't detail the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features sketches about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The program is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington begins by proclaiming 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 generic South American accent before shouting: "I am from Peru, motherfuckers – I am Paddington Bear from Peru! You most likely 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 conclusion of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its subjects – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Continued for two series before being cancelled again
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the first show, 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 later says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The pair also present 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."
Company Statements
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 contacted for response.
