Legal Battle Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Portrayal

Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this recent depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.

Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators 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, behind the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.

A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and design right concerns. The court filing doesn't detail the specifics of the claim, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production features sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Disputed Characterization Details

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

He then switches to a generic South American accent before exclaiming: "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 segment, a disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular stable of podcasts produced by various media companies.

The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its subjects – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Original series was one of 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 discontinued once more

Platform Adaptation

Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through suggested videos.

In the first show, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges 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 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 begins 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

The film company refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been contacted for response.