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Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – making this new portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul 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 Launched Against Production Company

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

A high court complaint, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right concerns. The legal document omits the particulars 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 Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Controversial Portrayal Details

The program is hosted 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 really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie adaptations.

He then switches to a generic South American accent before shouting: "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 segment, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Historical Context of Comedy Program

The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection of podcasts created 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 – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings declined
• Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Continued for two series before being discontinued once more

Digital Transformation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse suggested videos.

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 too much genius for one planet," he says. "As I say about my cocaine, it is only right to share."

He later says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The pair 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 declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been contacted for comment.