🔗 Share this article Legal Dispute Erupts as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Episode For countless fans who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the quintessence of English politeness and restraint – making this recent depiction as a substance-using, foul-mouthed podcast host particularly controversial. Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and rights holders that own the character's rights. Court Action Initiated Against Production Company The film producers, 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 drastic reinterpretation. A legal filing, first reported by industry media, cites intellectual property and creative ownership concerns. The legal document doesn't detail the particulars of the allegations, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. This production includes segments about tech billionaires, Donald Trump and Keir Starmer. It also parodies ubiquitous podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals. Controversial Portrayal Particulars The show is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a unkempt Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the award-winning actor who portrays the character in recent movie adaptations. He then switches 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 major part in the Netflix series Narcos, as Pablo Escobear. It is a joke. Laugh, muchachos." At the end of the segment, a disorderly Paddington is seen snorting a white powder before seemingly losing consciousness. Background Information of Satirical Show The court action come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a jab at the successful collection of podcasts created by multiple media companies. The show's debut on YouTube in July signaled a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its subjects – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters. Original series was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s Ended only in 1996 after ratings waned Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox Lasted two series before being discontinued once more Platform Adaptation Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to attract viewers who browse suggested videos. In the first show, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry interview Musk, and Paddington urges 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 subsequently says the key 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 section 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 spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings. Avalon has been reached out to for comment.