Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Episode
Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the very essence of English politeness and restraint – making this new portrayal as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and rights holders that control the character's rights.
Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Studio
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 radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, first reported by industry media, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The court filing omits the specifics 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 sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.
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 proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in latest 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 disorderly Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.
Background Information of Comedy Program
The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular collection of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – typically 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 declined
- Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Lasted two series before being cancelled again
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the first show, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges the conservative 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 commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Official Responses
StudioCanal refused to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for comment.
