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For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this recent depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and estate that control the character's rights.

Court Action Launched Against Production Company

The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.

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

This production features sketches about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss 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 begins by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning 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 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 end of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Background Information of Comedy Program

The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection of podcasts created 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 targets – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures declined
• Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Continued for two series before being discontinued once more

Digital Transformation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who browse recommended content.

In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million 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 secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The pair 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."

Company Statements

StudioCanal refused to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the subject of court action.

Avalon has been contacted for comment.