Legal Battle Erupts as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Episode
For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character epitomizes the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this new portrayal as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and estate that own the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, behind the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.
A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and design right concerns. 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.
This production includes sketches about Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The program is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie adaptations.
He then switches to a generic South American accent before exclaiming: "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 episode, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out.
Historical Context 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 created 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 – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Original series was among the popular 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
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview 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 later 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 segment by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Official Responses
StudioCanal declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.