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For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the very essence of English politeness and understatement – making this recent depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the film studio and rights holders that control the intellectual property.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company

The film producers, behind the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation.

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

This production includes segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts talk about 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 prize-earning actor who voices the character in latest movie adaptations.

He then switches to a generic 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 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 snorting a white powder before apparently losing consciousness.

Historical Context of Comedy Program

The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful stable of podcasts produced by various media companies.

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

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

Platform Adaptation

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

In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges 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 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 segment by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."

Company Statements

StudioCanal declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the focus of court action.

Avalon has been reached out to for comment.