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For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this recent portrayal as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property.

Court Action Initiated Against Studio

The film producers, behind the hit 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, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right concerns. The court filing omits the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production features segments about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Controversial Portrayal Details

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

He then changes to a stereotypical 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 conclusion of the episode, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.

Historical Context of Comedy Program

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

The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
• Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Continued for two series before being discontinued once more

Platform Adaptation

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

In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges the rightwing 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 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."

Official Responses

StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the focus of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been contacted for response.