Legal Battle Erupts as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Episode

Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and understatement – making this new depiction as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and estate that own the intellectual property.

Court Action Launched Against Studio

The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.

A high court complaint, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and design right concerns. The legal document omits the specifics of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show features sketches about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.

Disputed Characterization Particulars

The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie versions.

He then switches to a stereotypical 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 end of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out.

Background Information of Satirical Show

The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular stable of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.

The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Original series was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
• Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Lasted two series before being cancelled again

Platform Adaptation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse suggested videos.

In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages the rightwing 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 later says the secret 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 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 refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.