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Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – making this recent portrayal as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property.

Court Action Launched Against Studio

StudioCanal, behind the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.

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 allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show includes sketches about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Disputed Characterization Particulars

The show is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions.

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 starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."

At the end of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.

Background Information of Comedy Program

The court action come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular 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 long tradition of offending its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

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

Platform Adaptation

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

In the first show, 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 subsequently says the secret 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."

Official Responses

The film company declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.