Legal Dispute Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Episode
Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the very essence of English politeness and restraint – making this new portrayal as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the film studio and rights holders that control the intellectual property.
Court Action Initiated Against Studio
The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A legal filing, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The court filing omits the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production includes segments about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The program is hosted 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 really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in latest movie adaptations.
He then switches to a stereotypical South American accent before shouting: "I am from Peru, motherfuckers – I am Paddington Bear from Peru! You most likely 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 chaotic Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.
Historical Context of Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful stable of podcasts produced by various media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings waned
- Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Lasted two series before being cancelled again
Digital Transformation
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 premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges 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 subsequently says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The pair also announce an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear begins another section by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Company Statements
StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for comment.
