Legal 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 marmalade-loving creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – making this recent depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and estate that control the intellectual property.
Court Action Launched Against Production Company
StudioCanal, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.
A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and creative ownership concerns. The court filing omits the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
The show features segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.
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 declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices 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 most likely 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 chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out.
Background Information of Comedy Program
The court action come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular collection of podcasts created 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 subjects – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
- Rebooted 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 service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse suggested videos.
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 duo also present an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."
The bear starts another segment by observing: "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 could not comment as the issue was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been reached out to for comment.
