Courtroom Battle Erupts as Satirical Show Studio Confronts Legal Action Over Paddington Bear Portrayal

For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – making this new depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and rights holders that own the character's rights.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Studio

The film producers, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.

A high court complaint, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The court filing omits the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show includes sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.

Controversial Portrayal Details

The program is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by proclaiming 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 stereotypical South American accent before shouting: "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 episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.

Background Information of Comedy Program

The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection of podcasts produced by various media companies.

The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its subjects – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Original series was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
• Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Continued for two series before being cancelled again

Platform Adaptation

Its latest version 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, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges 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 subsequently says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The pair 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."

Company Statements

StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.