🔗 Share this article Courtroom Dispute Erupts as Spitting Image Production Company Faces Lawsuit Over Beloved Character Episode Among millions who adore Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the quintessence of English politeness and understatement – rendering this recent depiction as a drug-taking, foul-mouthed podcast host especially challenging. However, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the creators behind Spitting Image has proven too much for the production company and rights holders that control the intellectual property. Court Action Initiated Against Studio 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 court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's appearance in the latest Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. The show features sketches about tech billionaires, former presidents and political figures. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss achieving success. Controversial Portrayal Particulars The show is hosted by a typical Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the premiere, Paddington starts by declaring he doesn't really talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie adaptations. He then switches to a generic 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 conclusion of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before apparently losing consciousness. Historical Context of Satirical Show The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular collection of podcasts produced by multiple media companies. The show's launch on YouTube in July marked a new chapter for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of offending its targets – typically politicians, rather than treasured children's characters. Initial run was one of the popular programmes in the 1980s Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings 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 service. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse suggested videos. In the first show, viewed more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges the conservative 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 key to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine." The pair 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 observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one." Official Responses The film company declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they were unable to speak as the issue was the subject of legal proceedings. Avalon has been reached out to for response.