Courtroom Dispute Erupts as Spitting Image Production Company Faces Legal Action Over Beloved Character Episode
Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and understatement – making this recent portrayal as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.
Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the production company and rights holders that own the intellectual property.
Court Action Initiated Against Production Company
StudioCanal, 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 drastic reinterpretation.
A legal filing, initially covered by industry publications, cites copyright and design right issues. The court filing omits the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion 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 ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about 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 actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in latest movie versions.
He then changes 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 end of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular stable of podcasts produced by various media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a new chapter 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 most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the premiere episode, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with 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 subsequently says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The pair also present an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear starts another section by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Company Statements
The film company refused to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been contacted for response.
