Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation epitomizes the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – making this recent depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.
However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and estate that own the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
StudioCanal, behind the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A high court complaint, first reported by industry media, cites copyright and design right issues. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Disputed Characterization Particulars
The program is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions.
He then changes 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 end of the episode, a chaotic Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection of podcasts produced by various media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Lasted two series before being discontinued once more
Platform Adaptation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who browse recommended content.
In the first show, viewed 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 subsequently 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 section by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Official Responses
The film company declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.
