Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
Among millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – making this new portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the film studio and estate that own the intellectual property.
Court Action Initiated Against Studio
StudioCanal, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The legal document omits the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The show is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually 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 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 starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the conclusion of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.
Background Information 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 created by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Lasted two series before being cancelled again
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who scroll through suggested videos.
In the first show, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges 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 pair also announce an advert 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
The film company refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for response.
