Legal Battle Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Portrayal
Among millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this recent portrayal as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property.
Court Action Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production includes segments about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The program is presented 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 portrays the character in recent 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 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 seen snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular collection of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Original series was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Platform Adaptation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the first show, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges 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 subsequently says the key 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."
Company Statements
StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for comment.
