Courtroom Battle Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Episode

Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this new portrayal as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.

However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the film studio and estate that control the character's rights.

Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Studio

The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.

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 comes after Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production includes sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Controversial Portrayal Details

The program is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who portrays the character in latest movie versions.

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 episode, a chaotic Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular collection of podcasts produced 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 offending its subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
• Rebooted 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 appeal to viewers who browse recommended content.

In the first show, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview 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 commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."

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

Official Responses

The film company refused to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of court action.

Avalon has been contacted for comment.