Legal Dispute Erupts as Spitting Image Studio Faces Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Portrayal

For countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this new depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

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

Court Action Launched Against Production Company

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

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

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

Disputed Characterization Particulars

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 really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who portrays the character in recent movie adaptations.

He then switches to a stereotypical South American accent before shouting: "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 Satirical Show

The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke 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 rich history of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings declined
• Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Lasted two series before being discontinued once more

Platform Adaptation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.

In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with 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 later says the key 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 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

StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the focus of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.