🔗 Share this article Courtroom Dispute Breaks Out as Satirical Show Studio Faces Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Episode For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the quintessence of British courtesy and restraint – rendering this recent portrayal as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging. However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and estate that control the intellectual property. Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Production Company The film producers, behind the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining. A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and design right concerns. The legal document omits the specifics of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. The show includes segments about Elon Musk, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals. Controversial Portrayal Particulars The program is presented by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington begins by proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who voices the character in latest movie versions. He then changes to a generic 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 segment, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently passing out. Historical Context of Satirical Show The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular stable of podcasts created by various media companies. The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its targets – usually politicians, rather than treasured children's characters. Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s Cancelled only in 1996 after viewing figures declined Rebooted in 2020 for digital platform BritBox Lasted two series before being discontinued once more Digital Transformation Its latest version on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who scroll through recommended content. In the premiere episode, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview 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 duo 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 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 spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the matter was the subject of court action. Avalon has been reached out to for comment.