Legal Dispute Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Portrayal
For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this new portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.
However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the production company and rights holders that own the character's rights.
Legal Proceedings Launched Against Studio
The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.
A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The court filing omits the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production features sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.
Disputed Characterization Details
The show is presented by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in latest movie adaptations.
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 conclusion of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out.
Background Information of Comedy Program
The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection of podcasts created by multiple media companies.
The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
- Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Lasted two series before being discontinued once more
Platform Adaptation
Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.
In the first show, 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 pair 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 commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Official Responses
The film company declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of court action.
Avalon has been contacted for comment.
