Legal Dispute Erupts as Satirical Show Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Episode
Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this new depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the film studio and estate that own the intellectual property.
Court Action Initiated Against Studio
StudioCanal, behind the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A legal filing, initially covered by industry publications, cites copyright and creative ownership concerns. The court filing omits the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production includes segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal 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 really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions.
He then switches to a generic South American accent before shouting: "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 segment, a disorderly Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.
Background Information of Comedy Program
The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection of podcasts produced by various media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse suggested videos.
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 excessively 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 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 spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been contacted for response.
