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For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new portrayal as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.

Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and rights holders that control the character's rights.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company

The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.

A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property 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.

The show features sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.

Disputed Characterization Details

The show is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington begins by proclaiming he doesn't actually 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 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 starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."

At the end of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Background Information of Comedy Program

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

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

• Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
• Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Lasted two series before being discontinued once more

Digital Transformation

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

In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges the rightwing 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 announce an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."

The bear starts another segment by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."

Company Statements

StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.