🔗 Share this article Legal Battle Erupts as Satirical Show Studio Faces Legal Action Over Beloved Character Portrayal For countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's marmalade-loving character epitomizes the very essence of English politeness and understatement – making this recent portrayal as a drug-taking, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly challenging. Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the film studio and rights holders that own the character's rights. Court Action Launched Against Production Company StudioCanal, behind the successful Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to take legal action against UK-based production company Avalon, which created Paddington's radical reimagining. A legal filing, initially covered by industry publications, cites copyright and design right issues. The court filing omits the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. This production includes segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success. Controversial Portrayal Details The program is hosted 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 recent movie adaptations. He then changes 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 snorting a white powder before apparently losing consciousness. Background Information of Satirical Show The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful stable of podcasts created by various media companies. The show's launch on YouTube in July signaled a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of offending its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters. Initial run was among the popular programmes in the 1980s Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures waned Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox Continued for two series before being cancelled again Digital Transformation Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who scroll through recommended content. In the premiere episode, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges the rightwing billionaire to go to Mars. "You are too much 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 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 segment by commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one." Official Responses The film company refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the focus of court action. Avalon has been reached out to for response.