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Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this recent depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and estate that control the intellectual property.

Court Action Launched Against Studio

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

A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show features segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.

Disputed Characterization Particulars

The program is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in latest movie adaptations.

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 snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab 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 subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings declined
• Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Lasted two series before being cancelled again

Digital Transformation

Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who browse recommended content.

In the premiere episode, 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 present an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."

The bear starts another segment by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."

Company Statements

StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.