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For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – making this recent depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging.

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 Initiated Against Studio

The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining.

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

This production includes segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success.

Controversial Portrayal Details

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

He then changes to a generic 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 major part 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 inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness.

Background Information of Satirical Show

The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection of podcasts created by various media companies.

The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Ended only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
• Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Lasted two series before being discontinued once more

Platform Adaptation

Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who browse recommended content.

In the first show, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges 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 commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."

Company Statements

StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for response.