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

Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and rights holders that own the intellectual property.

Court Action Launched Against Studio

The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.

A legal filing, initially covered by industry publications, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The legal document omits the specifics of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

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

Disputed Characterization Details

The program is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning 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 starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."

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

Historical Context of Comedy Program

The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts produced by various media companies.

The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Initial run was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures declined
• Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Continued for two series before being discontinued once more

Digital Transformation

Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who browse recommended content.

In the premiere episode, watched 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 subsequently says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The duo also present an advert 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."

Company Statements

StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.