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Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this new depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and rights holders that control the character's rights.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company

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

A high court complaint, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and design right issues. The legal document omits the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production features segments about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.

Disputed Characterization Details

The program is hosted 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 prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions.

He then changes to a stereotypical South American accent before shouting: "I am from Peru, motherfuckers – I am Paddington Bear from Peru! You most likely 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 conclusion of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.

Background Information of Comedy Program

The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection of podcasts created by multiple media companies.

The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its subjects – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined
• Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Lasted two series before being cancelled again

Platform Adaptation

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

In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges 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 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 representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the focus of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been contacted for comment.