Legal Battle Breaks Out as Satirical Show Studio Faces Legal Action Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – making this recent depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property.
Court Action Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, behind the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and design right concerns. The legal document doesn't detail the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production features sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The show is presented by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking 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 versions.
He then switches 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 chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.
Historical Context of Satirical Show
The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – usually politicians, rather than treasured 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 streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
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 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 subsequently says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The duo also announce an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear starts another segment 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 spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been contacted for response.
