🔗 Share this article Courtroom Dispute Erupts as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal For millions who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new portrayal as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging. Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and estate that control the intellectual property. Court Action Initiated Against Production Company StudioCanal, behind the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation. A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The court filing omits the specifics of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. The show features segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals. Controversial Portrayal Details The program is presented by a typical 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 prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent 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 starring role in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos." At the end of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out. Background Information of Comedy Program The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts produced by multiple media companies. The show's debut 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. Original series was among the popular programmes in the 1980s Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings waned Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox Lasted two series before being cancelled again Platform Adaptation Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content. In the first show, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington encourages the rightwing 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 duo also announce 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." Company Statements The film company refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings. Avalon has been reached out to for response.