Legal Dispute Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Faces Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Episode

Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – making this new depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the film studio and rights holders that control the intellectual property.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company

StudioCanal, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.

A high court complaint, initially covered by industry publications, cites copyright and design right concerns. The legal document doesn't detail the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show includes segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.

Controversial Portrayal Details

The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent 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 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 segment, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection of podcasts produced 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 upsetting its subjects – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings waned
• Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Lasted 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, created to appeal to 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 duo also announce an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."

The bear begins another section by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."

Official Responses

StudioCanal declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the subject of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.