Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Faces Legal Action Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
For countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – making this recent portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the film studio and estate that own the character's rights.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Studio
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, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and design right concerns. The court filing omits the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production includes sketches about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.
Disputed Characterization Particulars
The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent 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 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 end of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its targets – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
- Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Lasted two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who scroll through suggested videos.
In the first show, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview 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 subsequently says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The pair also announce 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."
Company Statements
StudioCanal refused to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.
