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Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – making this new depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.

However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the film studio and rights holders that control the character's rights.

Court Action Launched Against Production Company

StudioCanal, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.

A high court complaint, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The legal document doesn't detail the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

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

Disputed Characterization Particulars

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

He then switches to a generic 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 end of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Historical Context of Satirical Show

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

The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Initial run was among the popular programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned
• Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Lasted two series before being cancelled again

Digital Transformation

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

In the first show, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with 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 section by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."

Company Statements

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

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.