Courtroom Dispute Erupts as Spitting Image Studio Faces Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this recent depiction as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the production company and rights holders that control the character's rights.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, behind the successful 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 legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and design right issues. The legal document doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The show is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't really 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 end of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.
Background Information of Comedy Program
The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular collection of podcasts created by multiple media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its subjects – typically 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
- Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Platform Adaptation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who browse suggested videos.
In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The pair 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 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 were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for comment.
