🔗 Share this article

For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation epitomizes the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this new depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and estate that own the intellectual property.

Court Action Launched Against Studio

The film producers, behind 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 radical reimagining.

A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show includes segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.

Controversial Portrayal Details

The show is presented by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by proclaiming he doesn't really 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 exclaiming: "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 segment, a disorderly Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

The court action come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular collection of podcasts created by multiple 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 targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved 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 digital platform BritBox
• Lasted two series before being discontinued once more

Digital Transformation

Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who browse suggested videos.

In the premiere episode, 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 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 representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of court action.

Avalon has been contacted for comment.