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

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

Court Action Initiated Against Studio

StudioCanal, responsible for the successful 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 legal document omits the specifics of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production includes sketches about Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Controversial Portrayal Details

The program is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in latest movie adaptations.

He then switches to a stereotypical 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 end of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular stable 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 upsetting its targets – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures declined
• Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Continued for two series before being discontinued once more

Platform Adaptation

Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content.

In the first show, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 pair also announce an commercial 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."

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.