Courtroom Dispute Breaks Out as Spitting Image Studio Faces Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Portrayal
Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – making this recent depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and rights holders that control the character's rights.
Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Studio
StudioCanal, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A high court complaint, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The legal document doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show includes segments about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Disputed Characterization Particulars
The program is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions.
He then switches to a generic 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 major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."
At the end of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.
Historical Context of Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection of podcasts created by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.
- Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures declined
- Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Lasted two series before being cancelled again
Digital Transformation
Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who browse suggested videos.
In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with 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 key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."
The duo also announce an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear starts another segment 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 spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.
