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Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this new portrayal as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial.

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

Court Action Launched Against Studio

StudioCanal, 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 copyright and design right concerns. The court filing doesn't detail 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.

The show features sketches about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Controversial Portrayal Particulars

The show 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 really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions.

He then changes to a stereotypical 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 conclusion of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Historical Context 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 created by multiple media companies.

The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its targets – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

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

Digital Transformation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who scroll through 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 excessively 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 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 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 response.