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For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – making this new depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.

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

Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Production Company

StudioCanal, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.

A legal filing, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show features segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.

Disputed Characterization Particulars

The program is presented by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in latest movie versions.

He then switches to a stereotypical South American accent before shouting: "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 episode, a chaotic Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.

Historical Context of Comedy Program

The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts created 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 upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Initial run was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures declined
• Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Lasted two series before being discontinued once more

Digital Transformation

Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to 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 subsequently says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The duo also present an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."

The bear begins another section by observing: "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 contacted for response.