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For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – making this recent depiction as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

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

Court Action Initiated Against Production Company

The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.

A legal filing, first reported by industry media, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The legal document doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show features segments about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.

Controversial Portrayal Particulars

The program is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie adaptations.

He then changes to a generic South American accent before shouting: "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 conclusion of the episode, a chaotic 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 poke at the successful stable of podcasts created by multiple media companies.

The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

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

Digital Transformation

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

In the first show, 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 later 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 segment by commenting: "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 could not comment as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.