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Natasha Leggero

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Natasha Leggero
Natasha Leggero at ComicCon in 2015
Born (1974-03-26) March 26, 1974 (age 50)
Rockford, Illinois, U.S
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • television
  • film
Alma materHunter College (BA)
Stella Adler Studio of Acting
Years active2000–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Spouse
​
(m. 2015)​
Children1
Websitenatashaleggero.com

Natasha Leggero (/ləˈʒɛəroʊ/) (born March 26, 1974) is an American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer. She rose to fame after appearing as the host of the MTV reality television series The 70s House in 2005, and as a regular roundtable panelist on Chelsea Handler's late-night talk show Chelsea Lately from 2008 to 2014.[1]

Leggero created the Comedy Central period sitcom Another Period (2015–2018) with Riki Lindhome, which she starred in as Lillian Abigail Bellacourt, a daughter of the fictional Bellacourt family. As a voice actress, Leggero has starred in several adult animated sitcoms, voicing the roles of Callie Maggotbone in Ugly Americans (2010–2012), Ethel in Brickleberry (2013–2015) and Shannon in Hoops (2020). She also starred in the short-lived NBC sitcom Free Agents (2011) as Emma Parker, in the Showtime comedy series Dice (2016–2017) as Carmen, and in the CBS sitcom Broke (2020) as Elizabeth. In 2022, Leggero released her first book, The World Deserves My Children.[2]

Her observational comedy has been noted by critics for its use of satire, as commentary on such themes as celebrity culture and social class.[citation needed]

Early life and education

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Leggero was born on March 26, 1974[a] in Rockford, Illinois[6] and is of Italian[7] and Swedish[8] descent. She grew up Roman Catholic[9] but converted to Judaism as an adult.[10] She has two brothers, two years and five years younger than her. One of her brothers performs rap in Los Angeles and another is in construction in Rockford.

Commenting on her childhood, Leggero said, "I would say [we were] lower-middle-class, but I feel like my mom would start crying if she heard that. But my dad was a used car dealer and my mother worked in a locksmith shop as the bookkeeper, and then they got divorced, and I do remember, like, nuns bringing us food—like big canned goods... we didn't really go on vacation–ever... I had so many jobs growing up: I mowed lawns; I worked at a grocery store; I had two newspaper routes; I worked at a catering place... I definitely hustled."[3] Her mother wanted to put her in a swimming class but it was full. Instead Leggero went to an acting class which was taught by the brother of the artistic director of New American Theatre on Main Street in Rockford.

Leggero began performing at age 10 in plays at the New American Theatre. She attended Rockford East High School[11] and worked at a grocery store as a teenager.[12] After graduating from high school, she attended Illinois State University on a scholarship where she studied for two years and spent a semester studying abroad in England.[12] She had three jobs while overseas including a job at a pub. While at Illinois State, Leggero auditioned for the Stella Adler Conservatory in Chicago and was accepted into the theater program.[12] She planned to go to Juilliard School. She then went to New York City to attend the conservatory, studying for two years and living in a rent controlled apartment. She worked at the Whiskey Bar.[12] In 1996, she moved to Sydney, Australia with her then-boyfriend who nicknamed her "Weiner" and lived there for eight months before returning to New York[13] to attend Hunter College. Her mother bought her two $800 plane tickets to New York City. Leggero lived for a while with Danisha, her Dominican waitress friend, her friend's family, and Danisha's grandmother in Queens, New York before finding a windowless apartment of her own in Harlem, New York.

Leggero graduated in 2000 from Hunter College with a B.A. in theater criticism. She said that she paid for her own tuition and it took nine years for her to finish college. She moved to Los Angeles shortly before the September 11 attacks; she still had her apartment but did not return.[12] For her first two years in Los Angeles Leggero did not perform.

Career

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Leggero worked as a waitress for four years and she performed at the Belly Room at The Comedy Store. She stopped performing at The Comedy Store for three years and did open mic shows at other comedy clubs. She particularly appreciated headlining on the road including at Comedy Works in Denver. On December 21, 2004 she appeared on The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn.

Leggero shot an unaired pilot called The Strip for NBC with Tom Lennon and Ben Garant. Along with Andy Kindler and Greg Giraldo, she was a judge on the 2010 season of NBC's Last Comic Standing, which was hosted by Craig Robinson.[14] She played the role of Emma in NBC's 2011 sitcom Free Agents. From 2010 to January 2012, she co-hosted The Lavender Hour podcast with comedian Duncan Trussell. From 2010 to 2012, she voiced Callie Maggotbone on the animated series Ugly Americans.[15] In 2012, she also appeared in six episodes of NBC's Are You There, Chelsea? as Nikki, who was Rick's (the bar manager's) ex-girlfriend. Leggero was featured in every first-season episode, starting with the second episode "Sloane's Ex".[16] She played the sex-obsessed Haley in the web series Burning Love, a spoof of the TV series The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. In 2013, Leggero appeared in an episode of the Drunk History television series on Comedy Central.

On September 2, 2013, Leggero participated in the Comedy Central Roast of James Franco as one of the roasters. The next day, Brickleberry premiered its second season. She voiced the park ranger Ethel in place of Kaitlin Olson, who only featured in the first season. Tubbin' with Tash debuted on October 2, 2013, on Leggero's YouTube channel. The premise of the show is Leggero interviewing guests while in a hot tub.[17] In August 2015, she debuted her Comedy Central standup special, Live at Bimbo's (originally entitled Diamond P__), which was filmed in San Francisco.[18] In 2015, Leggero and Riki Lindhome created the Comedy Central series Another Period, which they also starred in together. The series premiered June 23, 2015, and was renewed for a second season, which premiered on June 15, 2016. On May 23, 2016, it was renewed for a third season,[19] which aired in 2018.[20] In 2016 and 2017, Leggero and husband Moshe Kasher embarked on The Honeymoon Tour, in which they performed stand-up shows and provided humorous relationship advice throughout the United States.[21]

Leggero cohosts Rat in the Kitchen on TBS, which premiered on March 31, 2022.[22][23] Her first book The World Deserves My Children, a collection of essays on motherhood in a post-apocalyptic world, was published by Gallery Books on November 15, 2022.[24]

Comedic style

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Leggero's comedy has been characterized as observational, with frequent commentary on celebrity culture and class.[25] Her approach to standup has been noted for its heavy use of persona, which largely relies on costumes and "an air of mock-refinement and elitism."[3] Journalist John Wenzel wrote that Leggero's use of persona allows her to "indict the most bloated, superficial aspects of our culture."[26] Maggie Lange of GQ noted:

All performers have a character to some extent, but Leggero is one of the few with a costume. She’s like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but like a seasoned comedian in socialite’s clothing. She’s always been this way. Who is the most formally dressed being at every Roast? Natasha Leggero. Who is perhaps the only person to have ever worn long white gloves to the Laugh Factory? Natasha Leggero. It’s always like she’s going to another party. While other comedians are trying to out-casual each other, she’s sitting with impeccable posture, dripping diamonds, dripping disdain.[27]

On January 20, 2024, Leggero surprised an audience at The Improv in Los Angeles, when she flashed the crowd to impersonate comedian Bert Kreischer after his act.[28][29][30]

Personal life

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For a time Leggero dated Ari Shaffir.

In 2015 Leggero and Moshe Kasher bought a home in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles.[31] Between 2011 and 2012, Leggero dated comedian Duncan Trussell, with whom she co-hosted the podcast, The Lavender Hour.[32]

In 2015, she married fellow comedian Moshe Kasher.[33][34] During an October 3, 2017 interview with Stephen Colbert, Leggero announced that she and Kasher were expecting their first child.[35] On February 24, 2018, on Instagram, Leggero announced the birth of their daughter[36] via c-section.[37]

Works

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Stand-up comedy

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Year Title Notes
2011 Comedy Central Presents Half-hour special
2011 Coke Money Comedy Central album
2015 Live at Bimbo's Comedy Central special
2018 The Honeymoon Stand Up Special Netflix special with Moshe Kasher

Talk shows

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Year Title Notes
2013 Tubbin' with Tash 7-episode web series[38]
2019–present The Endless Honeymoon Podcast podcast with Moshe Kasher[39]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Exorcist Chronicles Leah
2009 He's Just Not That Into You Amber Gnech
2013 Tome of the Unknown Beatrice Short film; pilot for the miniseries Over the Garden Wall
Dealin' with Idiots Tipsy Jessica
2014 Neighbors Street prostitute
Let's Be Cops Annie
2015 The Breakup Girl Kim
A Better You Tamara
2016 The Do-Over Nikki
2018 Duck Duck Goose Jin Jing Voice[40]
2020 Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics Young Carrie Fisher
2023 First Time Female Director Themberly Paris
Old Dads Kelly

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2004 The Joe Schmo Show Rita "The Drunk" 2 episodes
2005 MTV's The 70s House Dawn Host; 10 episodes
2005–08 Reno 911! Various 3 episodes
2005 Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson Herself (red carpet interviewer) Uncredited; Television special
Premium Blend Herself Episode: "Johnny Lampert, Roy Wood Jr., Natasha Leggero and Stephen Rannazzisi"
2006 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Stripper #1 Episode: "Charlie Gets Crippled"
2007 'Til Death Mindy Episode: "Performance Anxiety"
Red Eye w/Greg Gutfeld Herself Guest panelist; episode dated December 8, 2007
2008–14 Chelsea Lately Herself Guest panelist; various episodes
2008 Samantha Who? Female Customer Episode: "The Gallery Show"
SuperNews! Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin Voice, 2 episodes
The Sarah Silverman Program Dr. Leggero Episode: "Vow Wow"
Worst Week Liz Episode: "The Gift"
2009 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Computer Technician Voice, episode: "Fry Legs"
2009–10 The Smoking Gun Presents: World's Dumbest... Herself Commentator; 28 episodes
2010 'Til Death Sandy Episode: "Snore Loser"
2010–12 Ugly Americans Callie Maggotbone Voice, main cast (31 episodes)
2010 Last Comic Standing Herself Judge (season 7); 10 episodes
2010–11 Nick Swardson's Pretend Time Various 5 episodes
2011 Comedy Central Presents Herself Episode: "Natasha Leggero"
After Lately Herself 2 episodes
Free Agents Emma Parker Main cast; 8 episodes
2012 Are You There, Chelsea? Nikki Natoli 6 episodes
The Life & Times of Tim Female Rodney Voice, 2 episodes
China, IL Jen Voice, episode: "Frankensteve"
Regular Show LaDonna / Girl in Line Voice, episode: "Access Denied"[40]
2012–13 The Burn with Jeff Ross Herself 2 episodes
2012 NTSF:SD:SUV:: Mona Lisa Episode: "Time Angels"
2013 Out There Henrietta Miller Voice, recurring cast
2013–15 Brickleberry Ethel Voice, main cast (season 2–3)[40]
2013 Whitney Danielle Episode: "Lost in Transition"
The Jeselnik Offensive Panelist 1 episode
Community Mysti Episode: "Heroic Origins"
Ghost Ghirls Sissy Episode: "Hooker With A Heart of Ghoul"
Arrested Development Jackie Episode: "Borderline Personalities"
Drunk History Herself Narrator; episode: "San Francisco"
High School USA! Rachel Lewis Voice, episode: "Adoption"
Comedy Central Roast of James Franco Herself (roaster) Television special
The League Stand-up teacher Episode: "The Bringer Show"
2013–17 @midnight Herself 7 episodes
2013 Comedy Bang! Bang! Judy Elevenuda Episode: "Andy Dick Wears a Black Suit Jacket & Skinny Tie"
2013–14 Betas Brenda 3 episodes
Lucas Bros. Moving Co. Natasha Voice, 3 episodes
2013 Key & Peele White Woman #2 Episode: "The Power of Wings"
The Birthday Boys Superintendent Episode: "Going All the Way"
2014 Suburgatory Nora 4 episodes
Inside Amy Schumer Mia Episode: "Slut-Shaming"
Clarence Nature Kate / Heida Voice, episode: "Nature Clarence"
Garfunkel & Oates Vivian St. Charles 3 episodes
2015 TripTank Kim, Female Dog Voice, 2 episodes[40]
Marry Me Laguna Matata Episode: "Spoil Me"
Mulaney Rodeo Episode: "Life is a Series of Different Apartments"
2015–18 Another Period Lillian Bellacourt Main cast, 32 episodes
2015 Modern Family Dana Episode: "Fight or Flight"
The Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber Herself Television special
Drunk History Elizabeth Bisland Episode: "Journalism"
2016 Superstore Shoplifter Episode: "Shoplifter"
2016–17 Dice Carmen Main cast, 13 episodes
American Dad! Planet Hollywood Waitress / Karen Voice, 2 episodes
2016 BoJack Horseman Heather Voice, episode: "Start Spreading the News"
2017–19 Funny You Should Ask Herself 98 episodes
2017 Justice League Action Poison Ivy Voice, 4 episodes[40]
2018 Teachers Honour Episode: "Leggo My Preggo"
Alone Together Nora Episode: "Daypassers"
A Million Little Things Joyce Episode: "Christmas Wishlist"
Comedy Knockout Herself 2 episodes
2019 The Real Bros of Simi Valley Cheryl Episode: "Open House"
Star vs. the Forces of Evil Additional voices Episode: "Junkin' Janna/A Spell with No Name"
Historical Roasts Mary Todd Lincoln Episode: "Abraham Lincoln"
American Princess Heidi Episode: "Down There"
Adam Ruins Everything Music Video Director Episode: "Adam Ruins Music"
Crank Yankers Herself Episode: "Adam Carolla, David Koechner & Natasha Leggero"
2020 AJ and the Queen Kath Episode: "Little Rock"
Paradise PD Ethel Voice, episode: "Paradise PD Meets Brickleberry"
The Midnight Gospel Peggy Voice, episode: "Taste of the King"[40]
Broke Elizabeth Main cast, 13 episodes
Hoops Shannon Voice, main cast (10 episodes)
2020–21 Ollie's Pack Ivy / Dahlia Voice, recurring cast
2022 Fast Foodies Herself Season 2, episode 3[41]
Rat in the Kitchen[42] Herself Host; TV series
Monster High: The Movie Skullette Voice, television film
2023 The Great American Joke Off Herself Recurring panelist, various episodes
Stars on Mars Herself Contestant, 4 episodes
Monster High 2 Skullette Voice, television film
Snake Oil Herself Celebrity advisor, 2 episodes

Web

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Year Title Role Notes
2006 Fire Guys Black Ladder Team leader Episode 3
2012–13 Burning Love Haley 14 episodes
2012 Escape My Life Skylar Browning 8 episodes
2015 Joe Rogan Experience Herself Podcast episode 653
The Adam Carolla Show Herself Podcast May 31
Limbo Lucy / Lucifer Independent short film
2016 WTF with Marc Maron Herself Episode 707
2022 The Bald and the Beautiful Herself Podcast episode 92
2023 Bertcast Herself Podcast episode 553

Notes

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  1. ^ A June 2017 profile in Forbes noted that Leggero was 43 years old.[3] On March 26, 2017, Leggero re-tweeted a "Happy Birthday" wish directed at her from Showtime Networks, which was posted the same day.[4] Her birthdate of March 26 is corroborated by public records available through FamilySearch.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Chelsea Lately". TV.com. E!. Archived from the original on April 16, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
  2. ^ Leggero, Natasha (2022). The World Deserves My Children. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781982137076.
  3. ^ a b c Espionza, Russ (June 15, 2017). "Frustrated To Fabulous: The Humble Beginnings Of Natasha Leggero". Forbes. Archived from the original on June 15, 2017. Retrieved June 28, 2017.
  4. ^ Leggero, Natasha [@natashaleggero] (March 26, 2017). "Thank you! Season 2 coming soon!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2017 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ "United States Public Records, 1970-2009," database, FamilySearch Archived 2022-06-01 at the Wayback Machine (22 May 2014), Natasha T Leggero, Residence, Los Angeles, California, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information.
  6. ^ "Natasha Leggero Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  7. ^ Leggero, Natasha (June 16, 2010). "Natasha Leggero". The Adam Carolla Show (Interview). Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  8. ^ Leggero, Natasha (November 13, 2013). "Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher". The Artie Lange Show (Interview). Interviewed by Artie Lange. Video on YouTube.
  9. ^ "Joe Rogan Experience #653". YouTube. May 27, 2015. Retrieved December 30, 2015.[dead YouTube link]
  10. ^ "'Abortions cool' in Judaism, says newly Jewish comedian". The Times of Israel. June 2, 2016. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2016.
  11. ^ "Kevin Haas: Rockford East grad Natasha Leggero revives 9-year-old Taco Bell vote in comedy special". rrstar.com. August 25, 2015. Archived from the original on June 1, 2022. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  12. ^ a b c d e Maron, Marc (May 16, 2016). "WTF Podcast with Marc Maron #707". WTF Podcast (Interview). Interviewed by Natasha Leggero. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  13. ^ "Late Show with Stephen Colbert". CBS. 20 Jun 2016. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 27 Jun 2016.
  14. ^ "Pilot Season 2010-2011". Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
  15. ^ Ohanesian, Liz (March 22, 2012). "Natasha Leggero on Ugly Americans Voice Acting and What It's Like Being 'Cast as Domineering Bitches'". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  16. ^ Hughes, Jason (January 19, 2012). "Natasha Leggero Plays Rick's Rude Ex On 'Are You There, Chelsea?'". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  17. ^ Natasha Leggero Archived 2014-05-09 at the Wayback Machine. YouTube. Retrieved on June 5, 2014.
  18. ^ McCarthy, Sean L. (August 22, 2015). "Natasha Leggero: 'Live at Bimbo's'". The Comic's Comic. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  19. ^ Petski, Denise (2016-05-23). "'Another Period' Renewed For Third Season By Comedy Central". Archived from the original on 2016-07-25. Retrieved 2016-07-27.
  20. ^ @natashaleggero (28 August 2017). "Another Period S3 coming 2018!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  21. ^ Coviello, Will (July 13, 2017). "Moshe Kasher and Natasha Leggero perform at One Eyed Jacks July 19". Gambit. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  22. ^ "First Look at 'Rat in the Kitchen' Cooking Competition with Natasha Leggero & Ludo Lefebvre". MSN. Archived from the original on 2022-04-24. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  23. ^ "'Rat in the Kitchen' is a Cooking Competition with an Unusual Twist". Archived from the original on 2022-04-24. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  24. ^ ""The-World-Deserves-My-Children Natasha-Leggero" Book Results on Simon & Schuster". www.simonandschuster.com.
  25. ^ Hesse, Josiah M. (March 29, 2013). "The ten best comedy shows in April". Westword. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  26. ^ Wenzel, John (2010-11-17). "TV regular Natasha Leggero prefers live stand-up". The Denver Post. Archived from the original on 2021-08-16. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  27. ^ Lange, Maggie (August 21, 2015). "Nobody in Comedy Commits Like Natasha Leggero". GQ. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  28. ^ Ferlita, Gabriella (2024-01-22). "Natasha Leggero calls out double standards: 'If the boys can do it, why can't the girls?'". PinkNews. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  29. ^ Monaghan, Becca (2024-01-22). "Comedian strips off for show: 'If boys can do it, why can't girls?'". indy100. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  30. ^ Chrisp, Kitty (2024-01-22). "Comedian Natasha Leggero gets fully topless on stage to make brilliant point". Metro (British newspaper). Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  31. ^ David, Mark (December 19, 2016). "Married Comedians Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher Lease Out Silver Lake Cottage". Variety. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2016.
  32. ^ Marchese, David (October 21, 2011). "Dressed to Kill: A Day in the Life of Rising Comedienne Natasha Leggero". Spin. Archived from the original on October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  33. ^ "Natasha Leggero Doesn't Want To Plan Her Wedding". YouTube. July 29, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  34. ^ "Comedian Natasha Leggero Talks Getting High on YouTube Plus, the highbrow TV drama that always puts her to sleep". AdWeek. June 23, 2015. Archived from the original on July 30, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  35. ^ Burford, Corinna (October 4, 2017). "Natasha Leggero Reveals the Worst Part of Being Pregnant in 2017". Vulture. Archived from the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  36. ^ Leggero, Natasha (24 February 2018). "Finally have a toilet baby of my very own". Instagram. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  37. ^ Leggero, Natasha (19 April 2018). "Natasha Leggero Wasn't a Fan of Skin-To-Skin Contact with Her Newborn". YouTube. Interviewed by Conan O'Brien. CONAN on TBS.
  38. ^ "Tubbin With Tash". www.tubefilter.com. 4 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2020-11-11. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  39. ^ "The Endless Honeymoon Podcast on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  40. ^ a b c d e f "Natasha Leggero (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 1, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  41. ^ "Natasha Leggero". Archived from the original on 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2022-02-03.
  42. ^ "Rat in the Kitchen". Archived from the original on 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
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