🔗 Share this article

Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new portrayal as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

However, the comedic reinterpretation 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 successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.

A legal filing, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The legal document doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production features sketches about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Controversial Portrayal Particulars

The show is hosted by a characteristic 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 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 chaotic Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular stable 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 targets – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings waned
• Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Lasted two series before being cancelled again

Platform Adaptation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed 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 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 starts another section 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 declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of court action.

Avalon has been contacted for comment.