Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Episode
For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and understatement – making this new portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the production company and rights holders that control the character's rights.
Court Action Initiated Against Production Company
StudioCanal, responsible for the successful 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 high court complaint, first reported by industry media, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes sketches about Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington begins by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions.
He then changes to a generic South American accent before shouting: "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 major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the end of the episode, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The court action come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular collection of podcasts created by multiple media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
- Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Continued for 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, designed to appeal to viewers who scroll through suggested videos.
In the premiere episode, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges the rightwing billionaire to go to Mars. "You are excessively 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 pair also present an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear starts another section by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Official Responses
The film company refused to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for comment.
