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For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – rendering this new portrayal 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 estate that own the intellectual property.

Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Production Company

The film producers, behind the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces 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 publications, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The legal document omits the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show features sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.

Disputed Characterization Particulars

The program is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who portrays the character in recent movie versions.

He then switches 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 major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."

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

Background Information of Comedy Program

The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection 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 long tradition of offending its subjects – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Original series was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
• Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Continued for two series before being cancelled again

Digital Transformation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who browse 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 too much genius for one planet," he says. "As I say about my cocaine, it is only right to share."

He subsequently says the key 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 spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the focus of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.