Courtroom Dispute Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal
Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – rendering this recent depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property.
Court Action Initiated Against Studio
The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A legal filing, initially covered by industry publications, cites copyright and creative ownership concerns. The legal document omits the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production features segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Disputed Characterization Particulars
The program is presented by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in recent movie adaptations.
He then switches to a stereotypical South American accent before shouting: "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 disorderly 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 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 targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures declined
- Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
- Continued for two series before being discontinued once more
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who browse recommended content.
In the premiere episode, 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 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 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
The film company refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been contacted for response.
