Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Spitting Image Studio Faces Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.
However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the film studio and rights holders that control the character's rights.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
StudioCanal, behind the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and design right issues. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.
Disputed Characterization Details
The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington begins by proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie adaptations.
He then switches to a generic 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 major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the end of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.
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 created by various media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its subjects – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Continued for two series before being cancelled again
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges the rightwing 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 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 spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.
