Courtroom Battle Erupts as Satirical Show Studio Faces Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Portrayal
Among millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – making this new depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.
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.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Studio
StudioCanal, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A high court complaint, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and design right concerns. The court filing omits the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Disputed Characterization Particulars
The program is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie versions.
He then switches to a generic 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 shown inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.
Historical Context of Satirical Show
The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular stable of podcasts created by various media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Original series 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 discontinued once more
Platform Adaptation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with 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 key 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 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 declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for response.
