🔗 Share this article Courtroom Battle Erupts as Satirical Show Production Company Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Episode For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – making this new depiction as a drug-taking, foul-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 estate that control the character's rights. Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Studio The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining. A legal filing, first reported by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The legal document doesn't detail the specifics 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 segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals. Disputed Characterization Details The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in latest 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 conclusion of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently losing consciousness. Background Information of Satirical Show The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular stable of podcasts created by multiple media companies. The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its subjects – 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 Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox Lasted two series before being discontinued once more Platform Adaptation Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who scroll through suggested videos. In the first show, watched more than 500,000 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 advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you." The bear starts another section by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one." Official Responses StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson 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.