Courtroom Dispute Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Faces Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Episode
For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – making this recent depiction as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and rights holders that control the character's rights.
Court Action Launched Against Production Company
StudioCanal, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and creative ownership concerns. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.
Controversial Portrayal Details
The show is presented by a characteristic 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 prize-earning actor who portrays the character in recent movie versions.
He then changes 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 chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.
Background Information of Comedy Program
The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered 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 marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Lasted two series before being cancelled again
Digital Transformation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse recommended content.
In the first show, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 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 begins another segment by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Official Responses
StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.
