🔗 Share this article Courtroom Dispute Erupts as Satirical Show Studio Confronts Legal Action Over Paddington Bear Episode For countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed creation represents the very essence of British courtesy and restraint – making this new depiction as a substance-using, potty-mouthed podcast host especially challenging. Nevertheless, the comedic reinterpretation of Paddington by the team behind Spitting Image has turned out to be excessive for the film studio and estate that own the character's rights. Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Production Company StudioCanal, behind the hit Paddington movies, are joining forces with Bond's estate to sue UK-based production company Avalon, which produced Paddington's radical reimagining. A legal filing, initially covered by industry media, cites copyright and design right issues. The legal document omits the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the latest Spitting Image YouTube program, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. The show features segments about Elon Musk, Donald Trump and political figures. It also satirizes ubiquitous podcasts where hosts talk about reaching goals. Disputed Characterization Details The program is hosted by a characteristic Spitting Image-style puppet of Prince Harry and a dishevelled-looking Paddington. In the first episode, Paddington starts by proclaiming he doesn't actually talk like Ben Whishaw, the prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie adaptations. He then changes to a stereotypical 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 conclusion of the segment, a chaotic Paddington is shown snorting a white powder before seemingly passing out. Historical Context of Satirical Show The legal proceedings come three months after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the successful 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. Original series was one of the most-watched programmes in the 1980s Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings waned Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox Continued for two series before being discontinued once more Platform Adaptation Its new incarnation on YouTube has been tailored for the platform. Shows are between 10 and 15 minutes, created to appeal to viewers who browse recommended content. In the first show, watched more than 500,000 times, Paddington and Harry speak with 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 secret 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 section by observing: "And that's why I said 'no' to Harry Potter. Paddington Bear gets out his wand for no one." Official Responses StudioCanal declined to comment. A spokesperson for Michael Bond's estate said they could not comment as the issue was the focus of legal proceedings. Avalon has been reached out to for response.