Courtroom Battle Erupts as Satirical Show Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Episode
Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this new depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and rights holders that own the intellectual property.
Court Action Launched Against Production Company
StudioCanal, behind the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A high court complaint, initially covered by industry publications, cites copyright and design right concerns. The legal document omits the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Controversial Portrayal Particulars
The show is presented by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in latest 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 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 conclusion of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts created by multiple media companies.
The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting 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 viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Lasted two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who browse recommended content.
In the first show, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 pair also present an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear starts another section by commenting: "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 were unable to speak as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.