🔗 Share this article Courtroom Dispute Erupts as Satirical Show Studio Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this new portrayal as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging. However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the film studio and rights holders that control the intellectual property. Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Production Company The film producers, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining. A high court complaint, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The legal document omits the specifics of the claim, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. This production features segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success. Controversial Portrayal Details 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 recent movie versions. He then changes to a stereotypical 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 starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos." At the conclusion of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out. Background Information of Comedy Program The legal proceedings 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 fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters. Initial run was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox Lasted two series before being cancelled again Digital Transformation Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse recommended content. In the first show, watched more than 500,000 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 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 begins 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 representative for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of court action. Avalon has been contacted for response.