Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Satirical Show Studio Faces Legal Action Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – making this recent portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.
However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and estate that control the character's rights.
Legal Proceedings Initiated 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 produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, first reported by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The legal document omits the specifics of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie adaptations.
He then switches to a stereotypical 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 major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the end of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful stable of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
- Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who browse suggested videos.
In the first show, watched 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 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 segment by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Official Responses
StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.
