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For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – making this new depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.

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

Court Action Launched Against Production Company

StudioCanal, behind the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.

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

The show features sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.

Controversial Portrayal Details

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

He then changes to a stereotypical 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 major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."

At the end of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Historical Context of Comedy Program

The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular stable of podcasts created 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 subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Original series was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures declined
• Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Continued for two series before being discontinued once more

Platform Adaptation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.

In the premiere episode, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 subsequently says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The duo also announce an advert 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."

Official Responses

StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.