🔗 Share this article Courtroom Dispute Erupts as Satirical Show Studio Faces Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Portrayal For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – making this recent depiction as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging. Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and estate that own the intellectual property. Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Production Company The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation. A legal filing, initially covered by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The legal document omits the particulars of the claim, but it follows 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 Keir Starmer. It also parodies widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success. Disputed Characterization Particulars The program is presented by a characteristic 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 award-winning actor who portrays the character in latest movie versions. He then changes to a generic South American accent before exclaiming: "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 segment, a chaotic Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out. Background Information of Comedy Program The court action come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection of podcasts produced by various media companies. The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters. Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures declined Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox Lasted two series before being cancelled again Digital Transformation Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content. In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges 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 present an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you." The bear starts 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 refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of legal proceedings. Avalon has been reached out to for response.