Courtroom Battle Erupts as Spitting Image Studio Faces Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Episode
Among millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the very essence of English politeness and understatement – making this recent depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.
Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and estate that own the character's rights.
Court Action Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A high court complaint, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The court filing omits the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Disputed Characterization Details
The program 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 really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who portrays the character in recent movie adaptations.
He then switches to a generic South American accent before shouting: "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 seemingly passing out.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts created by multiple media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history 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 streaming service BritBox
- Lasted two series before being cancelled again
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the premiere episode, viewed more than 500,000 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 later says the secret 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."
Official Responses
The film company declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.
