Legal Dispute Erupts as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal

Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and understatement – rendering this new portrayal as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.

Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and estate that own the intellectual property.

Court Action Initiated Against Studio

The film producers, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.

A high court complaint, first reported by industry media, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The court filing omits the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show features segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Disputed Characterization Details

The show is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie adaptations.

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 end of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.

Background Information of Comedy Program

The court action come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful stable of podcasts created by various media companies.

The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings declined
• Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Continued for two series before being discontinued once more

Digital Transformation

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

In the first show, watched more than half a million 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 subsequently says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The duo also present an commercial 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

The film company 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 contacted for response.