Courtroom Battle Erupts as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Episode
Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the film studio and estate that own the character's rights.
Court Action Launched Against Production Company
StudioCanal, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The court filing omits the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The show is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in latest movie adaptations.
He then changes to a generic 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 segment, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out.
Historical Context of Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke 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 treasured children's characters.
- Original series was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings declined
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Continued for two series before being cancelled again
Digital Transformation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse recommended content.
In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview 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."
Company Statements
StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been contacted for response.
