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Among millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving creation represents the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – making this recent portrayal as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the film studio and estate that control the character's rights.

Court Action Launched Against Studio

The film producers, behind 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 drastic reinterpretation.

A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The court filing omits 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 features sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals.

Disputed Characterization Particulars

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

He then changes 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 major part 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 snorting a white powder before apparently 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 collection of podcasts produced by various media companies.

The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its subjects – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

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

Digital Transformation

Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who scroll through suggested videos.

In the premiere episode, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview 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 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 segment 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 representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.