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

Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and estate that own the intellectual property.

Court Action Initiated Against Studio

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

A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The legal document omits the specifics of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

The show features sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals.

Disputed Characterization Particulars

The show is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie versions.

He then changes to a stereotypical South American accent before shouting: "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 end of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out.

Background Information of Comedy Program

The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection of podcasts produced 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 upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters.

• Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s
• Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned
• Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox
• Continued for two series before being cancelled again

Platform Adaptation

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

In the first show, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 announce an commercial 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."

Company Statements

The film company declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the focus of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been contacted for comment.