Courtroom Battle Erupts as Satirical Show Production Company Faces Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this new depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and estate that own the character's rights.
Court Action Launched Against Studio
The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The court filing omits the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The show is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who portrays the character in latest 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 probably 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 seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out.
Historical Context of Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful stable of podcasts produced 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 upsetting its subjects – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who browse suggested videos.
In the first show, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges 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 subsequently says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The duo 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."
Company Statements
StudioCanal declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.