🔗 Share this article Courtroom Dispute Breaks Out as Spitting Image Production Company Confronts Lawsuit Over Paddington Bear Episode Among countless fans who cherish Paddington Bear, Michael Bond's jam-obsessed character epitomizes the very essence of British courtesy and understatement – rendering this new depiction as a drug-taking, 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 estate that control the intellectual property. Legal Proceedings Initiated Against Production Company The film producers, responsible for the successful Paddington movies, are partnering with Bond's estate to sue British production company Avalon, which created Paddington's drastic reinterpretation. A legal filing, first reported by industry publications, cites copyright and creative ownership concerns. The court filing doesn't detail the particulars of the claim, but it comes after Paddington's inclusion in the most recent Spitting Image YouTube show, titled The Rest Is Bulls*!t. This production includes segments about tech billionaires, former presidents and Keir Starmer. It also satirizes widespread podcasts where hosts discuss reaching goals. Controversial Portrayal Details The show is hosted by a characteristic 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 prize-earning actor who voices the character in recent movie versions. He then changes to a stereotypical South American accent before shouting: "I am from Peru, motherfuckers – I am Paddington Bear from Peru! You probably 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 episode, a chaotic Paddington is seen inhaling a white powder before apparently losing consciousness. Background Information of Comedy Program The legal proceedings come several weeks after Avalon launched The Rest Is Bulls*!t, a poke at the popular collection of podcasts produced by various media companies. The show's debut on YouTube in July marked a fresh phase for Spitting Image, which has a long tradition of upsetting its subjects – typically politicians, rather than beloved children's characters. Original series was among the most-watched programmes in the 1980s Cancelled only in 1996 after ratings declined Revived in 2020 for streaming service BritBox Continued for two series before being cancelled again Platform Adaptation Its latest version on YouTube has been adapted for the platform. Episodes are between 10 and 15 minutes, designed to appeal to viewers who scroll through suggested videos. In the premiere episode, watched more than half a million times, Paddington and Harry speak with Musk, and Paddington urges 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 subsequently says the secret to his personal glow is "100% Peruvian, biodynamic, organic, catastrophic cocaine." The pair also announce 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." Official Responses The film company declined to comment. A representative 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.