Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Faces Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Portrayal
For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and understatement – making this recent depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.
However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the film studio and rights holders that own the intellectual property.
Court Action Initiated Against Production Company
StudioCanal, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.
A high court complaint, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The court filing omits the particulars of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.
This production includes segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.
Disputed Characterization Details
The program is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie adaptations.
He then changes to a stereotypical 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 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.
Background Information of Satirical Show
The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular collection of podcasts produced 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 upsetting its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.
- Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
- Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
- Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
- Continued for two series before being cancelled again
Platform Adaptation
Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who browse suggested videos.
In the premiere episode, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview 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 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 observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."
Company Statements
The film company declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of legal proceedings.
Avalon has been reached out to for response.
