The Nostalgia Test Podcast

Dan Dissinger & Manny Coelho

Put your pop-culture past to the ultimate test--THE NOSTALGIA TEST! with 🎙longtime friends Dan, Manny, & Billy 🙋‍♂️🤦‍♂️🙆‍♂️

  1. 22H AGO

    184.🧛Vampire's Kiss (1988) w/ Meghan Nolan

    Dan & Billy invite Nostalgia Test Podcast all-star Meghan Nolan to put the 1988 Nicolas Cage black “comedy” Vampire’s Kiss to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST! “This is a steaming pile of sh*t. I hate everything about it. It is not nostalgic for me. You cannot be nostalgic, I'm gonna say it again, about a movie that's about him raping somebody [...] It's not a comedy. It's a film that doesn't even know what it is. It doesn't make me nostalgic about the 80s. It doesn't make me nostalgic about bats. It doesn't make me nostalgic about anything. This is a hard fail. I never wanna see this film again. I'm sad that I watched it.” -Meghan Nolan There’s not really much else to say. Dan & Billy’s guest, Meghan, sums it up pretty well. This “movie” (if you can call it a movie) is an abysmal piece of chaos that should’ve tanked Nicolas Cage’s career, but because of his status as a Coppola in Hollywood he was absolutely fine and was able to continue to run amok forever. In fact, one of the main points in this episode is how it took almost 16 years for Jennifer Beals’ career to recover from Vampire’s Kiss. Sure, she was in the Denzel Washington movie Devil in a Blue Dress in 1995, but her comeback wasn’t until her role in The L-Word in 2004. Yet, Cage was in a string of insane failures and chaotic bullsh*t since 1988, and he continues to have this momentous acting career, even after 1997's Con Air. Another movie that should’ve killed his career. But I digress. This episode has everything a classic Nostalgia Test episode has, tangents, regrets, jokes, and all the insane laughter about Nic Cages need to have warm yoghurt poured on his toes so her can be “aroused” in a sex scene with Jennifer Beals. Again, this man was allowed to have a career after this! Also, justice for Alva, the poor secretary played by María Conchita Alonso who has to endure being verbally, emotionally, physically, and sexually abused by Peter Loew (Nic Cage) in this abomination of a film. So, grab your fake plastic vampire teeth, reschedule your appointment with your inappropriate therapist, and brace yourself for one of the most insane breakdowns for a movie so bad that the podcast consensus is they’d rather watch Happy Gilmore 2. Email us (thenostalgiatest@gmail.com) your thoughts, opinions, & episode idea for The Wheel of Nostalgia! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode!   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Cold Open Chaos 00:38 Show Intro and Guests 02:43 First Impressions and Memes 03:34 Trailer vs Reality 04:31 Plot Setup and Alva Abuse 05:43 Noir Opening and No Plot 07:15 Bat Scene and Weird Sex 09:28 Accent Rant and Acting Choices 12:07 Office Contract and Harassment 13:52 Therapist and Vampire Teeth 15:57 Club Meet and Pasties Theory 25:47 Nick Cage Trivia Hot Yogurt 28:16 Career Context and No One Said No 31:49 Alva Home Life and Escalation 36:28 Time to Lean Quote 37:38 Bag Soup Confusion 38:48 Blanks and Assault Scene 39:30 Not a Dark Comedy 41:09 Cage Acting Trivia 42:19 Mimes and Street Filming 44:18 Roaches Pigeons Coffin 45:38 Club Murder Breakdown 49:31 Nepotism and Careers 54:02 All in His Head Theory 56:09 Therapy Session Madness 57:35 Reviews and Poll Results 01:02:06 Nostalgia Test Verdicts 01:11:01 Final Wrap and Next Picks   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at thenostalgiatest@gmail.com or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

    1h 14m
  2. MAR 24

    183.🛞Nostalgia Test Mini: The Wheel of Pauly Shore

    On this Nostalgia Test Mini episode, Dan, Manny, & Billy spin The Wheel of Pauly Shore to see which Pauly Shore movie they’ll be putting to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “I watched [Son in Law and] I was like, how the f**k did they let this man make movies?” -Billy D’Elia   This Mini Nostalgia Test episode spins out of control (no pun intended) way before the guys even spin The Wheel of Pauly Shore. After the Son in Law episode, Dan & Manny were curious if any of the other Pauly Shore movies could even be nostalgic, so here we are. Will it be: In The Army Now Jury Duty Encino Man Bio-Dome They get Billy’s reactions of Son in Law even though he missed the episode, they talk about Brendan Fraser saving Encino Man and how it’s way more his movie than Pauly Shore, and Dan reminds everyone that Bad Bunny was the best part of Happy Gilmore 2, much like he was the best part of The Super Bowl, that’s right, he was! Deal with it!!! So, grab your longtime friends, grab a drink or three, and place your bets on which movie the wheel will land on. Email us (thenostalgiatest@gmail.com) your thoughts, opinions, & episode idea for The Wheel of Nostalgia!   Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode!   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Mini Nostalgia Setup 00:45 Son in Law Reactions 01:28 Pauly Shore vs Sandler 03:14 Dirty Work Detour 04:03 Why We Rewatch Bad Movies 04:59 Wheel Movie Options 06:00 Dreading the Picks 07:38 Spinning Up the Wheel 08:20 Pauly Shore Rant and Airheads Talk 09:05 Wheel Lands on ________ 10:40 Why _______ Must Happen 12:26 Ratings and Who Likes It 13:55 Cast and Teen Movie Vibes 15:24 Plot Breakdown Rage 16:26 How We’ll Watch It 17:05 DC Plans and Sign-Off   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at thenostalgiatest@gmail.com or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

    20 min
  3. MAR 17

    182.🥴🍻 Nostalgic Drunk Sing-Along Songs

    Dan, Manny, & Billy put 7 Drunk Sing-Along Songs for Saint Patrick’s Day to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “It's like doing shrooms together. You gotta choose the right people.” -Manny Coelho   Happy Saint Patrick’s Day Nostalgia Testers! On this episode, the gang digs into what makes a great drunk sing-along before ranking: Piano Man – Billy Joel Paradise City – Guns N’ Roses Sweet Caroline – Neil Diamond Don’t Stop Believing – Journey Livin’ on a Prayer – Bon Jovi Hold On – Wilson Philips Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen The guys talk about what makes a good drunk sing-along, share memories of their favorite drunk sing-along moments, the importance of a key change in a song, and the appropriate time of night to play “Piano Man” in a bar. There’s also a huge disagreement about one of these songs, how to control the mood in a bar with the jukebox, and there’s 3 honorable mentions that might spark a whole new drunk sing-along episode. It’s last call, so grab one more drink, put some money in the jukebox, and gather your friends for some slurred singing, because there’s this episode is going to tear the roof off... well, your earbuds while you’re probably folding some laundry. Email us (thenostalgiatest@gmail.com) your thoughts, opinions, & episode idea for The Wheel of Nostalgia! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode!   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Drunk Singalong Setup 01:28 Rules Not Wedding Songs 04:31 What Makes One 07:50 The Seven Song List 09:33 Ranking Number Seven 16:01 Ranking Number Six 23:45 Ranking Number Five 28:31 Top Four Debate 36:04 Billy Puts Journey Fourth 38:36 Top Three Begins 39:37 Ranking Number Three 41:03 Bon Jovi Concert Memories 44:09 Number Two Debate 45:29 Piano Man Stories 48:48 Don’t Stop Believing Pick 50:11 Listener Rankings Roast 57:29 Number One Revealed   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at thenostalgiatest@gmail.com or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

    1h 20m
  4. MAR 10

    181.🧑‍🌾 Son in Law (1993)

    Dan & Manny put the 1993 Pauly Shore classic Son in Law to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “This whole movie, all of Son in Law, all of [Pauly Shore’s] f***ing dialogue is just gibberish. It's just gibberish the whole time, and I'm just like, how can this be a film?” -Dan Dissinger   Dan & Manny are without their longtime friend and cohost Billy to try and solve the pop-culture mystery that is Pauly Shore’s 90s fame. How did it happen? Why did it happen? Are we to blame for all his movies? These are the types of questions the guys try to figure out while literally avoiding talking about Son in Law. In fact, there are so many tangents in this episode that it should be called “181. Trips to Ithaca, Gravity Bongs, & Other Fragmented Memories.” Dan & Manny talk about the absolute gibberish of Pauly Shore’s dialogue, the unanswered for crimes in this movie, Tiffani Thiessen, and the mom in Son in Law just on the prowl for the “D.” So, grab some “grindage,” your best “buuuuuudddiiies,” and get ready for some “cheek chillers,” because this episode might not even be a podcast, it’s an event. Email us (thenostalgiatest@gmail.com) your thoughts, opinions, & episode idea for The Wheel of Nostalgia!   Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode!   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Cold Open Banter 00:22 Nostalgia Test Setup 01:44 Groundhog Day Deja Vu 03:53 Follow Us and Going Global 05:26 Cast Rundown and 90s Problems 08:31 Pauly Shore Era and Ernest Talk 13:09 Biodome Hate and Pauly Debate 15:09 Plot Breakdown Begins 19:33 Pauly Shore Multiverse Timeline 26:59 Finally Talking Son in Law 27:20 College Tropes and Horny Mom 32:36 Camcorders to Snapchat Tangent 35:13 Weed Brands and Dispensary Stories 37:02 Gravity Bong Nostalgia 37:49 Dirty Glass and Resin Hits 39:46 Back to the Movie Plot 40:22 Bad Decisions Make Memories 42:53 Rebecca’s Instant Makeover 47:24 Homecoming and the Proposal 53:51 Pauly Shore Fatigue 57:45 Drugging and The Ending 01:02:32 Final Verdict and Ratings 01:09:33 Box Office and Pauly’s Run   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at thenostalgiatest@gmail.com or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

    1h 15m
  5. MAR 3

    180.💀MXC (Most Extreme Elimination Challenge)

    Dan & Manny put the 2003 Spike TV classic MXC (Most Extreme Elimination Challenge) to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “Everyone dies or has diarrhea after this show [...] They're throwing up [...] things are coming outta their nose, their eyes [...] I hope there's a medic. They should have had [...] a part of a show where they showed [contestants] being wrapped up.” -Manny   This episode is just as unhinged as the show itself, which says a lot about how out of bounds MXC (Most Extreme Elimination Challenge) was in 2003. Dan & Manny watch one episode from three different seasons for this test, and unfortunately, they are without Billy on this one, but he does make a special texting appearance later, so all those Billy fans will get their fix. Dan & Manny try to figure out once and for all if this show was just a bunch of captive human beings trying to make their way home, is this show racist, why was there such a dubbing craze in the early 2000s, Spike TV being okay with low budget nonsense, and so much more. The main question about MXC, did anyone die during the making? So, get out your chain wallets, put a short-sleeved shirt over a long-sleeved shirt, crack open a Sprite Remix, and “DON’T GET ELIMINATED!” This is a fun one. Email us (thenostalgiatest@gmail.com) your thoughts, opinions, & episode idea for The Wheel of Nostalgia!   Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode!   Approximate Rundown 00:00 MXC Nostalgia Setup 01:18 What Is MXC 02:46 Wild TV Era 04:39 Picking Episodes 06:19 Episode 12 Chaos 08:33 Takeshis Castle Explained 11:29 Low Budget Carnage 18:58 Did Anyone Win 21:26 Season 3 Politics Episode 28:02 Can It Work Today 29:42 MXC Banter Highlights 30:36 Origins in Takeshi Castle 32:03 Groundlings Comedy Crew 32:46 Grossest Challenges Recap 33:14 Finale Episode Controversy 34:38 Obstacle Course Chaos 36:44 Do The Rules Exist 39:23 Dubbing Goes Too Far 43:44 Production Reality Check 46:29 Classic Clip Breakdown 47:38 Would It Work Today 50:05 Modern Attention Spans   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at thenostalgiatest@gmail.com or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

    1h 1m
  6. FEB 24

    179. Nostalgia 101: 1999 The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times w/ Author Ross Benes

    Dan & Manny welcome Author Ross Benes to discuss his book 1999 The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times. “I chose [19]99 out of all the years because it was just the wildest and most wackadoodle year of [the 90s]. You can write a similar book on 98 [...] but I think 99 is just a little more insane in the membrane.” -Ross Benes This episode of Nostalgia 101 author Ross Benes takes Manny & Dan to school on all things 1999. His book 1999 The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times seems to have foreseen the times we find ourselves in and might hold key answers to some off questions about the cultural pickle we’re attempting to escape. They go from unpacking the impact of The Jerry Springer Show to The Insane Clown Posse, Juggalos, and Beanie Babies to Y2K, Napster, and the oversaturate porn industry. This is the exact type of episode that The Nostalgia Test Podcast is built for and ross Benes more than delivered. Get Ross’ book. It’s the sort of pop-culture analysis that satisfies the academic audience, general fandom audience, and the high-strung 90s fanatic. Oh, and he gives us a really great Rocky franchise ranking. So, grab your Trapper Keepers and pens, throw some scratch-and-sniff stickers on the pages, and get ready to learn something about the most important year of the 90s. Email us (thenostalgiatest@gmail.com) your thoughts, opinions, and topics for our next Nostalgia Test! Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode!   Ross Benes is the author of 1999: The Year Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted OurBizarre Times. He's also a journalist and market analyst whose writing has appeared in Mental Floss, Esquire, The Wall Street Journal, Smithsonian Magazine, and Entertainment Weekly.  Buy 1999 The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times          Approximate Rundown 00:00 Meet the Guest 02:03 Ross Background 03:39 Why 1999 Matters 04:55 Wrestling and Kayfabe 10:29 Ragebait Media Machine 13:02 Tech Shifts and Y2K 15:32 Talk Show Sensationalism 19:34 When Low Culture Wins 25:34 Upsides of Trash Culture 29:44 High vs Low Pop Culture 32:24 Juggalos and Belonging 35:57 Howard Stern as Conduit 41:17 Can Anything Shock Us 44:48 Doomscroll Desensitization 45:42 Faces of Death Then Now 46:09 Algorithms Versus Choice 48:56 NFTs Pet Rock Moment 49:36 Zombie Tech Nostalgia 51:09 TomTom GPS Horror Stories 53:05 1999 Mascot and Trends 57:08 Reality TV Wins Out 01:00:34 Todays Low Culture Shift 01:04:06 Why 1999 Still Matters 01:06:24 Rocky Movie Rankings 01:14:38 Reboots and Final Wrap   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at thenostalgiatest@gmail.com or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

    1h 18m
  7. FEB 17

    178. Nostalgia Test Mini: Legos, Trains, Slot Car Racing, & Pinewood Derbies

    Dan, Manny, & Billy pull the curtain back on the podcast on this Nostalgia Test Mini Episode & put several Nostalgia Test Tangents to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST!   “What the f**k is this podcast about anymore?” -Dan   Right before the gang recorded 168. Nostalgia Test Now! ZombieCon Vol.1, they had this tangent filled conversation that started at Legos and made a full-circle return to Legos, all while covering nostalgic topic after nostalgic topic. This is what happens when Dan hits the record button early and they just let it fly. It’s an intimate look behind the curtain of 3 longtime friends hanging out. So, sit back and hangout with Dan, Manny, & Billy “backstage.” Email us (thenostalgiatest@gmail.com) your thoughts, opinions, & episode idea for The Wheel of Nostalgia!   Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode!   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Bootleg Johnny 5 & the ‘I don’t do Legos’ confession 00:38 Puzzles vs. Legos: chasing a relaxing, nostalgic build 01:25 Sticker shock: movie Lego sets are insanely expensive 01:42 The $30 Amazon ‘building box’ DeLorean build (and it rules) 02:08 Remote-control Johnny 5 idea + pitching sponsors free builds 03:45 Lego fandom goes extreme: Goonies set & master builders 04:22 From Legos to model trains: childhood sets and holiday dreams 05:47 Slot cars, Pinewood Derby, and the art of dad-assisted cheating 09:09 Wrap-up: what is this podcast now? Nostalgia Test tangent ends   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at thenostalgiatest@gmail.com or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

    11 min
  8. FEB 10

    177. ❤️ A Nostalgic Love Song Playlist for Valentine's Day

    Dan, Manny, & Billy put 5 classic Love Songs for Valentine’s Day to the ultimate test—THE NOSTALGIA TEST! “Yo! 2026, Nostalgia Test declares love is dead.” -Billy Happy Valentine’s Day nerds! On this special episode of The Nostalgia Test Podcast the guys open up their nostalgic hearts to rank and put to the test Michael Bolton's “When a Man Loves a Woman,” Celine Dion's “It's All Coming Back to Me Now,” Etta James' “At Last,” Otis Redding's “These Arms of Mine,” and Savage Garden's “Truly Madly Deeply.” This episode is filled with memories, laughs, and unreal nostalgia test tangents. They talk about the emotional toll and impact these songs have on them, why they’re sick of hearing some of these hits, and do Love Songs even exist anymore? Find out how they each rank these 5 songs, what are the guys’ honorable mention songs, and around 30 minutes into the episode they lose their minds about Manny’s “winter chili.” Email us (thenostalgiatest@gmail.com) your thoughts, opinions, & episode idea for The Wheel of Nostalgia!   Suggest A Test & Be Our Guest! We're always looking for a fun new topic for The Nostalgia Test. Hit the link above, tell us what you'd like to see tested, and be our guest for that episode!   Approximate Rundown 00:00 Introduction and Valentine's Day Special 00:51 Valentine's Day Memories and Rants 03:28 The Decline of Love Songs and Movies 12:10 Ranking the Love Songs 24:37 Nostalgic Love Songs Discussion 26:04 Celine Dion's Power Ballads 28:05 Otis Redding's Timeless Classics 38:30 Honorable Mentions and Cheesy Love Songs 45:45 Valentine's Day Wrap-Up   Book The Nostalgia Test Podcast Bring The Nostalgia Test Podcast's high energy fun and comedy on your podcast, to host your themed parties & special events!  The Nostalgia Test Podcast will create an unforgettable Nostalgic experience for any occasion because we are the party! We bring it 100% of the time! Email us at thenostalgiatest@gmail.com or fill out the form at this link. LET'S GET NOSTALGIC!       Keep up with all things The Nostalgia Test Podcast on Instagram | Substack | Discord | TikTok | Bluesky | YouTube | Facebook   The intro and outro music ('Neon Attack 80s') is by Emanmusic. The Lithology Brewing ad music ("Red, White, Black, & Blue") is by PEG and the Rejected

    49 min
4.9
out of 5
29 Ratings

About

Put your pop-culture past to the ultimate test--THE NOSTALGIA TEST! with 🎙longtime friends Dan, Manny, & Billy 🙋‍♂️🤦‍♂️🙆‍♂️

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