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For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.

Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the production company and estate that control the character's rights.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company

StudioCanal, behind 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, first reported by industry media, cites copyright and design right concerns. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production features sketches about Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Controversial Portrayal Particulars

The show is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays 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 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 episode, a chaotic Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Historical Context of Comedy Program

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

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

• Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings declined
• Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Lasted two series before being cancelled again

Digital Transformation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through suggested videos.

In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview 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 pair also present an advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you."

The bear starts 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 refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.