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Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and understatement – rendering this new portrayal as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.

Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and rights holders that control the character's rights.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company

The film producers, behind the successful 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 high court complaint, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The court filing doesn't detail the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production features segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Disputed Characterization Particulars

The program is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning 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 major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."

At the conclusion of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

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

The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its subjects – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
• Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Lasted two series before being cancelled again

Platform Adaptation

Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through suggested videos.

In the premiere episode, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 later says the key 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 starts another section by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."

Official Responses

StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.