Courtroom Battle Erupts as Spitting Image Production Company Faces Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character epitomizes the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – rendering this recent depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Studio
StudioCanal, behind the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A legal filing, first reported by industry media, cites copyright and design right issues. The legal document omits the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production features sketches about Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes 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 unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington begins by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie versions.
He then switches to a stereotypical 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 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 shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.
Historical Context of Satirical Show
The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular stable of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse recommended content.
In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 subsequently says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The duo also present an commercial 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."
Official Responses
The film company declined 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 contacted for comment.
