Legal Dispute Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Episode
For countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and understatement – rendering this recent depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
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 own the intellectual property.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company
The film producers, behind the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and creative ownership concerns. The legal document doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.
Disputed Characterization Details
The show is presented 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 prize-earning actor who portrays the character in latest movie versions.
He then changes 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 end of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.
Background Information of Comedy Program
The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection of podcasts produced by various media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings waned
- Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Digital Transformation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages the conservative 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 duo also present an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear begins 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
The film company refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.
