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For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and rights holders that control the character's rights.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Studio

The film producers, behind the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.

A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The legal document doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

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

Controversial Portrayal Particulars

The show is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt 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 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 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 shown snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Background Information of Comedy Program

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

The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

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

Digital Transformation

Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse suggested videos.

In the premiere episode, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 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 section by observing: "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 representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.