Legal Battle Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this new depiction as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
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.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, responsible for the successful 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 publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The show 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 really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning 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 major part 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 Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab 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 offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Lasted 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, designed to appeal to viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the first show, watched more than half a million 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 announce an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear begins another section by commenting: "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 representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.
