Legal Dispute Erupts as Satirical Show Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this new portrayal as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.
Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and estate that control the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right concerns. The court filing omits the particulars of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production features sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The show is hosted by a typical 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 voices the character in recent 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 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 conclusion of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out.
Background Information of Comedy Program
The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular collection of podcasts produced by various media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its subjects – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Lasted two series before being cancelled again
Digital Transformation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who browse recommended content.
In the first show, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges the conservative 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 secret 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 begins another section 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 spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.
