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Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this new depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially controversial.

Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the production company and estate that own the character's rights.

Legal Proceedings Launched Against Studio

StudioCanal, behind the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining.

A high court complaint, initially covered by industry media, 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 show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t.

This production features sketches about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success.

Disputed Characterization Particulars

The show is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who portrays the character in latest movie versions.

He then switches to a generic 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 chaotic Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently passing out.

Background Information of Comedy Program

The court action come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts created by multiple media companies.

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

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

Digital Transformation

Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who browse recommended content.

In the first show, watched 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 later says the key 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 segment by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one."

Official Responses

StudioCanal declined to comment. A representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of legal proceedings.

Avalon has been contacted for comment.