Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Satirical Show Studio Faces Legal Action Over Paddington Bear Episode
For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – making this recent portrayal as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and rights holders that control the character's rights.
Court Action Initiated Against Studio
The film producers, behind the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A high court complaint, initially covered by industry publications, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Disputed Characterization Details
The show is presented by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays 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 most likely 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 episode, a chaotic Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The court action come several weeks 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 long tradition of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved 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 digital platform BritBox
- Continued for 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 half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview 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 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."
Official Responses
StudioCanal refused 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.
