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Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the very essence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this recent portrayal as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and estate that own the intellectual property.

Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Studio

The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.

A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production includes sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.

Controversial Portrayal Particulars

The program is presented by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't really 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 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 episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.

Background Information of Satirical Show

The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts created by various media companies.

The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Original series was among the popular 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 cancelled again

Platform Adaptation

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

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 later 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 section by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."

Official Responses

The film company declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.