🔗 Share this article Legal Dispute Breaks Out as Satirical Show Production Company Faces Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Portrayal For countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – making this recent portrayal as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging. Nevertheless, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and rights holders that control 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 take legal action against British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation. A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and design right concerns. The legal document omits the particulars of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. This production features sketches about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success. Disputed Characterization Details The program is presented 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 voices the character in recent movie adaptations. He then changes to a stereotypical 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 major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos." At the conclusion of the episode, a disorderly Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly passing out. Background Information of Satirical Show The court action come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the popular collection 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 subjects – usually politicians, rather than beloved children's characters. Original series was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings waned Revived in 2020 for digital platform BritBox Lasted two series before being cancelled again Digital Transformation Its new incarnation on YouTube has been adapted for the service. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who scroll through recommended content. In the first show, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington encourages 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 later says the secret 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 commenting: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one." Official Responses StudioCanal refused to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings. Avalon has been contacted for comment.