🔗 Share this article Legal Dispute Breaks Out as Spitting Image Studio Confronts Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Portrayal For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the quintessence of British courtesy and understatement – making this new depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial. However, the satirical overhaul of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be too much for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property. Legal Proceedings Launched Against Studio The film producers, responsible for the hit Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to take legal action against British production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining. A high court complaint, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and design right concerns. The legal document omits the specifics of the allegations, but it follows Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. This production features segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts talk about achieving success. Controversial Portrayal Details The show is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions. He then switches to a stereotypical South American accent before shouting: "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 episode, a disorderly Paddington is shown inhaling a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness. Background Information of Comedy Program The court action come several weeks after Avalon premiered The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful collection of podcasts produced by multiple media companies. The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a rich history of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters. Initial run was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s Ended only in 1996 after ratings declined Revived 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. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who scroll through recommended content. In the premiere episode, viewed more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry interview 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 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 starts 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 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.