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Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new portrayal as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the film studio and estate that own the character's rights.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company

The film producers, behind the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.

A high court complaint, first reported by industry media, cites intellectual property and design right concerns. The court filing omits the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production features segments about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.

Controversial Portrayal Details

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

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 disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.

Background Information 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 treasured children's characters.

• Initial run was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
• Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Continued for two series before being cancelled again

Digital Transformation

Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse recommended content.

In the premiere episode, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages the rightwing 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 key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The pair also present an commercial 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

The film company refused 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 contacted for response.