A little over a year ago, a bartender at Pizzeria Paradiso’s Spring Valley location decided to switch on an episode of Bob Ross’ much-loved instructional TV series “The Joy of Painting” as a joke. Since then, it’s been playing nearly nonstop at Spring Valley and recently at the restaurant’s Hyattsville location — and regulars and their kids came to watch Bob Ross while enjoying their Neapolitan-style pizza and beer.

It began with – as the location’s general manager Tony Hamilton told DCist/WAMU – a “happy little accident,” one that generated a sense of community at the restaurant and even led to a planned beer series: “The Joy of Drinking with Hop Ross.” When Pizzeria Paradiso launched the series in February, it put up posters of “Hop Ross” – a happy hop with Bob Ross’ iconic curls and love of painting. The series, a collaboration with local brewing companies, started with a “Happy Little Pale Ale” by Right Proper Brewing Co. Then came “Episode Two” – a “Happy Little Cherry Sour” by Streetcar 82 Brewing Co.

“When customers are interacting with their bartenders and just commenting on how much they love Bob Ross, and ‘look at that happy tree,’ they can say ‘look at this happy little pale ale. Would you like to try it?’” Hamilton said when the series launched. “I’m kind of silly excited about it.”

But that series has been cut short. Earlier this month, Pizzeria Paradiso received a cease and desist letter from Bob Ross Inc., stating that the restaurant’s unauthorized commercial use of Ross’ name, likeness, and catchphrases ran afoul of Ross’ “right of publicity,” which Bob Ross Inc. owns.

Ruth Gresser, Paradiso’s owner, told DCist/WAMU that they and the brewing companies will, in accordance with the letter, stop using Ross’ image, likeness, catchphrases in their marketing and sale of beer.

“To Bob Ross Inc., we crossed the line,” Gresser said. “I wish the line was drawn differently, but I don’t feel strongly enough about it to want to engage in a conflict or in a fight about it.”

For the time being, however, Bob Ross will still be playing at Spring Valley and Hyattsville. The Hyattsville location will also continue a “paint and sip” series – painting classes with happy hour discounts. That series, a collaboration with nonprofit Art Works Now, launched when the beer series began. There’ll be no reference to Bob Ross, however, in any marketing related to those classes.

And while there will be painting, there won’t be any “happy little” branded beers drinks to sip, and no more Hop Ross.

Gresser said that while Pizzeria Paradiso is abandoning “The Joy of Drinking,” it will continue collaborating with local brewing companies. One project Gresser is excited about is the second annual upcoming homebrewing competition that the restaurant is organizing with Denizens Brewing Co. They’re accepting entries for German-style beer through May 31. The winning beer will be brewed by Denizens and served at all of Pizzeria Paradiso’s locations in the fall.

Steven Wadyka, Jr., the attorney who wrote the letter for Bob Ross Inc., told DCist/WAMU that though Bob Ross Inc. grants licenses for a wide range of products, it does not grant licenses for products like tobacco, cannabis, CBD, and alcoholic beverages.

“I have long been a fan of Pizzeria Paradiso and love its Neapolitan style pizza and creative line-up of beers on tap,” Wadyka said in a statement. “Tony was very gracious in his response and said he understood where we were coming from. He and I resolved the issue quickly and amicably.”

Gresser said she’s hopeful that Paradiso is returning to pre-pandemic operations after what has been a few difficult years for local brewing companies and the restaurant. Pizzeria Paradiso, which first opened in 1991, will be turning 32 this November.

“Sometimes we get our hands slapped, and that’ll be okay,” Gresser said. “Just as long as we keep serving good pizza and beer.”