Legal Dispute Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Faces Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Portrayal
Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the very essence of English politeness and understatement – rendering this recent depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the film studio and estate that own the intellectual property.
Court Action Initiated Against Studio
The film producers, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A legal filing, first reported by industry media, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The court filing doesn't detail the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Disputed Characterization 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 voices the character in recent movie versions.
He then switches to a stereotypical 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 conclusion of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.
Historical Context of Satirical Show
The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection 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 offending its subjects – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
- Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Shows 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 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 later says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The duo also announce an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear begins another section by commenting: "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 representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.
