Legal Battle Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Faces Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Episode
For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this new depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.
Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and rights holders that own the character's rights.
Court Action Launched Against Studio
The film producers, behind 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 legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and creative ownership concerns. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes segments about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The program is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in latest 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 major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the conclusion of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts produced by various media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures declined
- Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Lasted two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
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 too much genius for one planet," he says. "As I say about my cocaine, it is only right to share."
He subsequently 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 begins 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
StudioCanal refused to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.