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Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – making this new depiction as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.

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

Court Action Launched Against Production Company

StudioCanal, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.

A legal filing, first reported by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show features segments about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.

Disputed Characterization Details

The show is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in latest 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 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.

Background Information of Satirical Show

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

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

• Initial run was one of 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 cancelled again

Platform Adaptation

Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who browse suggested videos.

In the premiere episode, viewed more than 500,000 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 subsequently says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The duo also present an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."

The bear begins another segment by observing: "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 representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.