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For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this recent depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and rights holders that control the character's rights.

Court Action Initiated Against Studio

StudioCanal, 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 legal filing, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The court filing omits the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's appearance 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 discuss reaching goals.

Controversial Portrayal Particulars

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

He then switches to a stereotypical South American accent before exclaiming: "I am from Peru, motherfuckers – I am Paddington Bear from Peru! You most likely 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 inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.

Background Information of Satirical Show

The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular 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 treasured children's characters.

• Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
• Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Lasted two series before being discontinued once more

Digital Transformation

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

In the first show, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges the conservative 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 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 spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.