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For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – rendering this recent depiction as a substance-using, 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 intellectual property.

Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Production Company

StudioCanal, behind 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, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right concerns. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show features segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.

Disputed Characterization Details

The show is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent 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 probably 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 segment, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.

Background Information of Comedy Program

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

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

• Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings waned
• Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Continued for two series before being cancelled again

Platform Adaptation

Its latest version 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 first show, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 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 section by observing: "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 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 comment.