Legal Battle Breaks Out as Satirical Show Studio Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Episode
For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – making this recent depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and rights holders that own the intellectual property.
Court Action Initiated Against Studio
The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A high court complaint, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The court filing 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 features segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Disputed Characterization Particulars
The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning 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 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 disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before apparently 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 collection of podcasts created by various media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures declined
- Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being cancelled again
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who browse suggested videos.
In the premiere episode, viewed more than 500,000 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 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 section by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Official Responses
StudioCanal refused to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.