Legal Battle Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Faces Legal Action Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this recent depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and rights holders that own the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
StudioCanal, behind the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.
A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The legal document doesn't detail 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.
The show includes segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.
Disputed Characterization Details
The program is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who portrays the character in recent movie adaptations.
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 starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the conclusion of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The court action come several weeks 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 marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
- Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being cancelled again
Platform Adaptation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the first show, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with 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 present an advert 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
StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for response.
