Legal Battle Erupts as Satirical Show Production Company Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this new depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
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 control the character's rights.
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 produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A high court complaint, first reported by industry media, cites copyright and creative ownership concerns. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest 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 talk about achieving success.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The show is presented by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices 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 conclusion of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular collection of podcasts created by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Original series was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who browse suggested videos.
In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages the conservative 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 pair also present an advert 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."
Company Statements
StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.
