Legal Dispute Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Faces Legal Action Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this new portrayal as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.
Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and estate 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 high court complaint, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and design right issues. The court filing omits the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The program is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning 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 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 segment, a chaotic Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out.
Historical Context of Comedy Program
The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts produced by various media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Original series was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the premiere episode, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington encourages the rightwing billionaire to go to Mars. "You are excessively genius for one planet," he says. "As I say about my cocaine, it is only right to share."
He later says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The duo also present 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."
Company Statements
StudioCanal declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.
