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For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and estate that own the intellectual property.

Court Action Initiated Against Studio

The film producers, behind the successful 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 copyright and creative ownership issues. The court filing omits the specifics of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production includes segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about 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 premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions.

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

At the end of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful stable of podcasts produced by multiple media companies.

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

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

Platform Adaptation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse recommended content.

In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 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 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 begins 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 subject of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.