🔗 Share this article

Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – rendering this recent portrayal as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.

Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the film studio and estate that own the character's rights.

Court Action Initiated Against Production Company

StudioCanal, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.

A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The legal document omits the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production includes sketches about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.

Disputed Characterization Details

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

He then changes 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 seemingly losing consciousness.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular stable 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 long tradition of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings waned
• Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Continued for two series before being cancelled again

Platform Adaptation

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

In the premiere episode, 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 later says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The pair 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."

Official Responses

StudioCanal refused to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.