Names and faces

— Grammy-winner Jose Feliciano has gotten an apology after accusing a pair of radio producers of trashing the spirit of Christmas by using his song, “Feliz Navidad,” for a musical spoof about illegal aliens. Feliciano released a statement Wednesday saying that he was “revolted beyond words” and that the song was never meant to be “a vehicle for a political platform of racism and hate.” “When I wrote and composed ‘Feliz Navidad,’I chose to sing in both English and Spanish in order to create a bridge between two wonderful cultures during the time of year in which we hope for goodwill toward all,” the Puerto Rico-born singer said. The parody, titled “The Illegal Alien Christmas Song,” was created by radio producers and writers Matt Fox and A.J. Rice and was posted in mid-December on the Web site for Human Events, a Washington-based conservative weekly publication founded in 1944. Web site editor Jed Babbin apologized Wednesday and said the song would be removed from the site. The link to the song’s page was no longer available by Thursday. “We regret any offense that Mr. Feliciano may have taken from this parody,” Babbin said in an e-mail sent to The Associated Press. One passage from the parody, sung in English, riffed on the stereotype of Hispanic immigrants as heavy drinkers, while another said “illegals” were going to “spread bubonic plague.”

A British court has blocked an attempt by former Culture Club singer Boy George to appear on a reality television show. The 48-year-old had hoped to appear on Celebrity Big Brother despite being on probation for assaulting a male escort. Newspaper reports say the singer, whose real name is George O’Dowd, would stand to earn tens of thousands of dollars for appearing on the show, which begins Jan. 3. Probation officers argue thatallowing O’Dowd to appear on the show would undermine the reputation of London’s probation service and public confidence in the judicial system. O’Dowd appealed the service’s ban, saying probation was not meant to punish him. High Court judge David Bean dismissed O’Dowd’s appeal Wednesday.

Front Section, Pages 2 on 12/25/2009

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