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For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character represents the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this recent depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and rights holders that control the intellectual property.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Studio

StudioCanal, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.

A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and design right issues. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show includes sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.

Disputed Characterization Particulars

The program is hosted by a typical 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 prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie adaptations.

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 segment, a chaotic Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.

Background Information of Satirical Show

The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular collection of podcasts produced 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 targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters.

• Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
• Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox
• Continued for two series before being discontinued once more

Platform Adaptation

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

In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 pair also present an commercial 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 refused to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been contacted for comment.