Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
For countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the very essence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this new depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.
Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and estate that own the intellectual property.
Court Action Launched 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 created Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, first reported by industry media, cites intellectual property and design right concerns. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics 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 segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The program is presented by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in latest movie adaptations.
He then changes 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 starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the end of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.
Background Information of Comedy Program
The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular collection of podcasts created by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures declined
- 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 appeal to viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the first show, watched 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 key 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 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 declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for comment.