🔗 Share this article

Among millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this recent depiction as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and estate that own the character's rights.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Studio

StudioCanal, behind the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.

A high court complaint, first reported by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The legal document omits the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production includes sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.

Controversial Portrayal Details

The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who portrays the character in recent 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 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 episode, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts produced by various media companies.

The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Original series was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
• Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Continued for two series before being cancelled again

Digital Transformation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Shows 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 conservative 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 advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."

The bear starts another section 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 court action.

Avalon has been contacted for comment.