Courtroom Dispute Erupts as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Episode
For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the very essence of English politeness and understatement – rendering this recent portrayal as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.
Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the film studio and rights holders that own the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Studio
The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A high court complaint, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and design right concerns. The court filing omits 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.
This production features segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in latest 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 conclusion of the episode, a chaotic Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular stable of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures declined
- Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who browse recommended content.
In the first show, viewed 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 starts 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 representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.
