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Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation epitomizes the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – making this recent portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging.

However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the production company and rights holders 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 sue British 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 comes after Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production includes segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.

Disputed Characterization Particulars

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

He then changes to a stereotypical South American accent before exclaiming: "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 starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos."

At the conclusion of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out.

Background Information of Comedy Program

The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular stable of podcasts produced by various media companies.

The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its subjects – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
• Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Lasted two series before being discontinued once more

Digital Transformation

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 urges the rightwing 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 subsequently says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine."

The duo also announce an advert 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 declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been contacted for response.