🔗 Share this article

For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – making this recent depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.

Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and rights holders that own the intellectual property.

Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Studio

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

A high court complaint, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The legal document omits the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

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

Controversial Portrayal Particulars

The show is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking 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 latest movie adaptations.

He then changes to a generic South American accent before shouting: "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 snorting a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.

Historical Context of Comedy Program

The court action come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.

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

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

Platform Adaptation

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

In the first show, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages the conservative 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 subsequently says the secret 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 starts 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

StudioCanal declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the focus of court action.

Avalon has been contacted for comment.