Legal Dispute Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal

For countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering 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 turned out to be too much for the production company and rights holders that own the intellectual property.

Court Action Launched Against Production Company

StudioCanal, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.

A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The court filing omits the specifics of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show includes sketches about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.

Disputed Characterization Details

The program is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in latest movie versions.

He then switches to a generic 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 end of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.

Background Information of Satirical Show

The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular collection of podcasts created by various media companies.

The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its targets – usually 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 declined
• Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Lasted two series before being cancelled again

Platform Adaptation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the service. 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 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 advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."

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

Official Responses

The film company declined 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 contacted for comment.