🔗 Share this article Legal Dispute Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Portrayal For countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – making this new portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging. Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the film studio and estate that control the intellectual property. Legal Proceedings Launched Against Studio The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining. A high court complaint, first reported by industry publications, cites intellectual property and creative ownership issues. The court filing omits the particulars of the claim, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the most recent 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 ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals. Controversial Portrayal Details The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie versions. 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 shown inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness. Background Information of Comedy Program The court action come three months after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful stable of podcasts created by multiple media companies. The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters. Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings declined Rebooted in 2020 for streaming service BritBox Continued for two series before being cancelled again Platform Adaptation Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who scroll through recommended content. In the premiere episode, watched more than 500,000 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 later says the key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine." The duo also announce an commercial for guns. Paddington says: "Go to Bogotá and ask for Matthias. Tell him Paddington sent you." The bear begins another segment 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 representative for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the matter was the focus of court action. Avalon has been reached out to for response.