Courtroom Dispute Erupts as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
For countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – making this new portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and rights holders that own the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Studio
StudioCanal, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The legal document omits the specifics of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes sketches about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.
Disputed Characterization Details
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 declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices 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 major part 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 snorting a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Lasted two series before being cancelled again
Digital Transformation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who browse suggested videos.
In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with 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 later says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The pair also announce an advert 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
The film company declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for comment.
