Courtroom Dispute Breaks Out as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the very essence of English politeness and understatement – making this new portrayal 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 excessive for the film studio and estate that own the character's rights.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
StudioCanal, behind the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and design right concerns. The legal document omits the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The program is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in latest movie adaptations.
He then switches 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 conclusion of the episode, a chaotic Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection of podcasts created by multiple media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its subjects – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
- Rebooted 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. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through suggested videos.
In the first show, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with 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 key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The duo 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."
Company Statements
The film company declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for response.
