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Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this new portrayal as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and estate that own the character's rights.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company

The film producers, behind the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.

A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and design right issues. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, 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 Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.

Controversial Portrayal Particulars

The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, 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 switches to a generic 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 end of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Background Information of Satirical Show

The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful stable of podcasts created by multiple media companies.

The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase 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 popular programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings waned
• Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Continued for two series before being discontinued once more

Digital Transformation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who scroll through recommended content.

In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges 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 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 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 declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.