🔗 Share this article Courtroom Dispute Erupts as Satirical Show Studio Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal For millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and restraint – rendering this new portrayal as a substance-using, 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 production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property. Court Action Launched Against Production Company StudioCanal, behind the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation. A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. The show features sketches about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. 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 first episode, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in latest movie versions. He then switches 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 end of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently passing out. Historical Context of Satirical Show The court action come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection of podcasts produced by multiple media companies. The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters. Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings declined Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox Continued for two series before being cancelled again Digital Transformation Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through suggested videos. In the premiere episode, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 advert for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you." The bear begins 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 The film company refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of court action. Avalon has been reached out to for comment.