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Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

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

Court Action Launched Against Studio

StudioCanal, 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 high court complaint, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The legal document omits the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production includes sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.

Controversial Portrayal Details

The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in latest movie adaptations.

He then switches 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 conclusion of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Background Information of Satirical Show

The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts created by multiple media companies.

The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
• Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Continued for two series before being discontinued once more

Platform Adaptation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed 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 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 subsequently says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The pair also announce an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."

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

Company Statements

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 legal proceedings.

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.