🔗 Share this article Legal Battle Breaks Out as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal Among countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this new depiction as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging. However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has proven excessive for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property. Legal Proceedings Launched Against Production Company StudioCanal, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's drastic reinterpretation. A legal filing, first reported by industry media, cites copyright and creative ownership issues. The court filing omits the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. This production includes segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success. Disputed Characterization Details The show is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who portrays 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 seemingly 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 popular stable of podcasts produced by various media companies. The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters. Original series was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox Lasted two series before being discontinued once more Digital Transformation Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content. In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with 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 subsequently says the secret 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 observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one." Company Statements StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of legal proceedings. Avalon has been contacted for response.