Courtroom Battle Erupts as Spitting Image Studio Faces Legal Action Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this recent portrayal as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, behind the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, initially covered by industry publications, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Disputed Characterization Particulars
The show is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in latest movie versions.
He then switches 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 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 seen snorting a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come three months 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 marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its subjects – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Lasted two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse recommended content.
In the premiere episode, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview 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 subsequently says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The duo also announce an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear starts another segment by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Company Statements
StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the focus of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for comment.
