"Fine" Dining

Michael Ornelas

Comedian Michael Ornelas dives deep into the stories behind your favorite chain restaurants like Domino's, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, and Long John Silver's before determining if they are better or worse than Chili's: the most mediocre restaurant in America.

  1. Long John Silver's Walks the Plank

    23H AGO

    Long John Silver's Walks the Plank

    🏴‍☠️🐟🍟 Long John Silver's Review: Pirate Music, Fried Sea Water, and Puke Breaks 🍟🐟🏴‍☠️ We're back with Part 2 of Long John Silver's, and my cousin Emma Danger returns as we finally taste what the seafood chain has to offer. There are a few bright spots. The pirate-style orchestral covers of popular songs are delightful, and the Captain's Bell looming overhead feels like a reward we desperately wanted them to earn (though they didn't). Unfortunately, most of the visit sails straight into rough waters, from questionable plumbing ergonomics to fried bits that taste suspiciously like the ocean itself. 🐟 Fried Everything (Including the Grilled Shrimp I tried to Order) 🍟 Waffle Fries and Hush Puppies Join the Feast 🍫 Chocolate Cheesecake Tries to Save the Day (and yes, I actually try it) 🧂 Krumbs That Taste Like "Fried Sea Water" 🚽 Toilet Flushers So High You're Forced to Use Your Hands (Who does that??) 🎶 Surprisingly Great Pirate Orchestrations of Popular Songs 🥤 Emma's Favorite Item of the Meal Is...a Pepsi 🎙️ Emma Shares the Best and Worst Meals of Her Life (including her best giving her imposter syndrome) 📊 Long John Silver's Faces The Chili's Test 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Are Long John Silver's Krumbs a delicacy or a disaster? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Emma Danger Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Robert McLaughlin, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: For the 100th restaurant on the main podcast feed, we dive into the world of ghost kitchens with Spooky Foodie (Ansley Layne), focusing on The Burger Den, the Denny's-created delivery-only concept.

    54 min
  2. You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    23H AGO · BONUS

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing HILARY DUFF: The Human Behind the Headlines (Her Most Honest Chapter Yet) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Today, Jay sits down with cultural icon Hilary Duff for a raw and honest conversation about  growth, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to evolve in public. Having grown up alongside an entire generation, Hilary reflects on what it means to return to music after more than a decade with her sixth studio album, Luck or Something. She opens up about shedding politeness in favor of truth, embracing maturity without losing the joy of her past, and finally feeling rooted in who she is, not just as an artist, but as a woman, a mother, a partner, and a daughter. Jay and Hilary explore the hidden weight of fame, the loss of anonymity at a young age, and the resilience required to stay grounded in an industry that constantly defines you before you can define yourself. Hilary speaks vulnerably about navigating eating disorders, divorce, co-parenting, estrangement with family, and the reality of loving people through complicated relationships. Through it all, she shares how motherhood reshaped her priorities, how love taught her to accept stability over chaos, and how creativity became a necessary way of reconnecting with herself. Hilary’s reflections reveal a powerful truth: what the world often calls luck is usually years of quiet strength, hard choices, and inner work.  In this interview, you'll learn: How to Trust Your Intuition Over “Luck” How to Grow Without Rejecting Your Past How to Accept Healthy Love (Even When It Feels Unfamiliar) How to Break Family Patterns Without Losing Compassion How to Balance Motherhood and Personal Ambition How to Hold Joy and Pain at the Same Time How to Reinvent Yourself Without Losing Who You Are You are allowed to choose steadiness over chaos, truth over politeness, and peace over performance. Growth isn’t always loud, sometimes it’s simply deciding you don’t want to repeat the same pattern again. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here.  Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast  What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:04 The Joy of Being Celebrated 02:46 Choosing Truth Over Politeness 05:15 What’s a Childhood Memory That Keeps You Grounded? 06:56 The Truth About Growing Up in the Public Eye 11:38 Learning to Feel at Home in Your Own Skin 14:22 Where Real Confidence Comes From 19:08 Opening Your Heart to Love Again 21:28 Understanding the Weight of Marriage 25:03 Deciding to Fully Commit 26:24 Trusting Your Intuition 27:28 Owning the Work Behind Your Success 30:36 The Burden of Being the Family Peacemaker 36:18 Navigating Divorce with Intention 38:26 Sharing Your Story on Your Terms 43:50 Holding Joy and Hardship at the Same Time 46:44 Healing and Connecting Through Music 51:49 The Hilary Duff Renaissance  54:50 Staying Attuned to Your Children’s Needs 01:00:59 Building Confidence as a Parent 01:02:26 How Did You Name Your Kids? 01:04:27 Disney-Era “Would You Rather” 01:08:42 Hilary on Final Five  Episode Resources: Website | https://www.hilaryduff.com/  YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSRmCrFvCPomTqjzwoF9MGw  Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/HilaryDuff/  Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/hilaryduff/  TikTok | https://x.com/hilaryduff  X | https://x.com/hilaryduff See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

  3. Long John Silver's: Toy Lawsuits, Abandoned by Yum!, and the Worst Restaurant Meal in America

    MAR 4

    Long John Silver's: Toy Lawsuits, Abandoned by Yum!, and the Worst Restaurant Meal in America

    🐟🏴‍☠️🍟 Long John Silver's: Toy Lawsuits, Abandoned by Yum!, and the Worst Restaurant Meal in America 🍟🏴‍☠️🐟 This week I'm joined by my cousin Emma Danger for her fourth appearance on the show as we dive into the history of Long John Silver's. From its time sailing under the Yum! Brands flag alongside KFC and Taco Bell to its rocky financial voyages through bankruptcy, the chain has had quite the adventure. We also grapple with the heartbreaking reality that the Captain's Bell is off-limits unless the crew actually earned it, and explore how a seafood chain wound up entangled in movie tie-ins, pirate holidays, and one of the menu items crowned "Worst Restaurant Meal in America." 🏴‍☠️ From Kentucky Fried Chicken's Corporate Family to Going Solo 💸 Bankruptcy, Buyouts, and Rough Seas for the Brand 🔔 The Captain's Bell We Desperately Wanted to Ring 🎬 Promotional Film Tie-Ins and the Lost in Space Toy Lawsuit 🦜 Talk Like a Pirate Day and the Chain's Nautical Identity 🍽️ The Big Catch Platter Named the Worst Restaurant Meal in America 🍜 Emma Pitches a Dream Restaurant With… Questionable Logistics 📚 A Yelper Expands the Lore of the Long John Silver's Literary Universe 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Have you ever rung the Captain's Bell at a Long John Silver's? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Emma Danger Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Robert McLaughlin, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: We actually eat Long John Silver's and see if the seafood shack can survive The Chili's Test.

    49 min
  4. On the Border's "Guacamole Live" Is a National Treasure

    FEB 25

    On the Border's "Guacamole Live" Is a National Treasure

    🌮🔥🥑 On the Border Review: Guacamole Glory, Taco Chips, and The Chili's Test 🥑🔥🌮 We're back with Part 2 of On the Border, and this time Trent Tucker (@TheGOTSPod) and I actually sit down to eat at the former Brinker sibling to Chili's. There are highs. There are lows. There is guacamole made tableside that absolutely slaps. We also encounter a manager radiating peak "Karen energy," raid a Little Free Library mid-meal, and hear "Cable Car" by The Fray so many times it becomes psychological warfare. 🥑 Guacamole Live Is a Legitimate Triumph 🌮 Flautas That Do NOT Live Up to the Ornelas Family Name 🧂 Chips and Salsa Are Decent, But Why Are the Chips Half a Taco Shell? 🎶 "Cable Car" by The Fray Plays an Unreasonable Number of Times 📚 Little Free Library Raid Yields a Parody Songbook and an Education on Spiders 😬 A Manager Check-In That Screams "I'd Like to Speak to…" 🎙️ Trent Shares His Best Meal Ever: Ramen in Japan 🌴 His Worst Meal Ever: A Burger from Rainforest Cafe 📊 On the Border Faces The Chili's Test 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is tableside guac enough to overcome weird taco chips? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Trent Tucker | IG: @TheGOTSPod Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Robert McLaughlin, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: I take Emma, my second cousin once removed to Long John Silver's, and you KNOW we're gonna talk LJS history!

    58 min
  5. On the Border: Mark Wahlberg, Bankruptcy, and the "Worst Mexican Chain in America"

    FEB 18

    On the Border: Mark Wahlberg, Bankruptcy, and the "Worst Mexican Chain in America"

    🌮🔥🍹 On the Border: Bankruptcy, Bottomless Calories, and Marky Marg Madness 🍹🔥🌮 This week, Trent Tucker (@thegotspod) from the Geek Off the Street podcast joins me to break down the chaotic history of On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, a chain that once lived under the Chili's corporate umbrella at Brinker International before getting unceremoniously left behind. On the Border has had a rollercoaster run. We unpack the Mark Wahlberg-backed Marky Marg (where he didn't even show up for the toast), and celebrate the undeniable appeal of Guacamole Live prepared tableside. Plus, Trent pitches a zero-gravity ramen restaurant, and we read Yelp reviews in the style of a late-night local TV lawyer commercial. 🌯 Formerly a Brinker International Sibling to Chili's 📉 "Worst Mexican Chain" According to Men's Health 💸 Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and 40 Sudden Closures 🍹 The Marky Marg Featuring Flecha Azul Tequila 📺 "Why? Because You Can" is the Most American Slogan Ever 🥑 Guacamole Live Steals the Spotlight 🚀 Trent's Zero-Gravity Ramen Restaurant Pitch ⚖️ A Yelper Who Sounds Like a Personal Injury Attorney 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is tableside guac enough to save a struggling chain? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Trent Tucker | IG: @thegotspod Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Robert McLaughlin, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: We actually eat at On the Border and put it through the Chili's Test to see if it can hang with its former corporate sibling.

    36 min
  6. Is Papa Murphy's Worth a 4 Hour Drive?

    FEB 11

    Is Papa Murphy's Worth a 4 Hour Drive?

    🍕🔥🏠 Papa Murphy's Pizza Review: When Take 'N' Bake Fights Back 🏠🔥🍕 We're back with Part 2 of Papa Murphy's, and this time Peter Murphy (@peter_murphy) and I actually put the take 'n' bake concept to the test after a four-hour round-trip to experience it properly. What followed was a very kind cashier, a slightly alarming health department confession, and instructions that nearly burned my apartment down. From my first time trying olives to a variety of Crush products, it's all on the table as we see whether Papa Murphy's can survive the Chili's Test. 🍕 Reviewing the Murphy's Combo 🍕 Ultimate Pepperoni? More Like Dull-timate Pepper-NO-ni! (idk...) 🧄 Garlic Knots Try to Steal the Spotlight 🍪 Cookie Dough vs. Fully Baked Cookies 🔥 Faulty Instructions Lead to a Flaming Paper Tray 🚨 Smoke Alarms, Panic, and the Consequences of Trust 🧑‍🍳 A Cashier So Nice She Accidentally Shares Health Department Lore 🎙️ Peter's Worst Restaurant Experience Involves a Chicken Bone Where It Should Never Be 🥩 His Best Experience Includes His Grandfather's Favorite Steak Joint Actually Delivering 📊 Papa Murphy's Faces the Chili's Test 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is take 'n' bake pizza a smart idea or a less good take on pizza? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Peter Murphy | IG: @peter_murphy Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Robert McLaughlin, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: We dive into the history of On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina with Trent Tucker from the Geek Off the Street podcast, as another restaurant steps up to the Chili's Test.

    1h 2m
  7. Papa Murphy's Pizza: A Spiteful Dough Recipe, Food Stamps, and DIY

    FEB 4

    Papa Murphy's Pizza: A Spiteful Dough Recipe, Food Stamps, and DIY

    🍕🔥🏠 Papa Murphy's Pizza: Take 'N' Bake, No Ovens, No Mercy 🏠🔥🍕 This week, comedian Peter Murphy (@peter_murphy) joins me to break down the strange, fascinating history of Papa Murphy's, the pizza chain that refuses to cook your food for you. We dig into how take 'n' bake became the brand's entire identity, why you literally cannot buy a hot pizza there, and how that decision shaped everything from employee working conditions to who can even buy the product. We also check in with the internet, because of course someone on Yelp is furious about flip-flops. 🍕 The Origins of Take 'N' Bake and the Merger That Created Papa Murphy's 🔥 Inventing a Dough That Works in a 425-Degree Home Oven 📈 Explosive Growth Into One of America's Biggest Pizza Chains 🧊 No Ovens, No Cooking Licenses, and a Safer, Cooler Workplace 🧾 Why Papa Murphy's Pizzas Count as Groceries (and What That Means) 🍕 Stuffed Pizzas, "Larger Than Large" Pies, and Other Menu Swings 🎃 Heart-Shaped and Jack-O'-Lantern Pizzas as Annual Traditions 📉 The Mid-2010s Slump and the Challenge of Staying Relevant 📱 Apps, Online Ordering, and the Modern Take 'N' Bake Pivot 🧇 The "Hub of Hacks" Includes Waffle Irons, Football Pepperonis, and Dough Experiments ⭐ Yelp From Strangers Includes a Reviewer Outraged by an Employee Wearing Flip-Flops 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Does take 'n' bake pizza feel convenient or like homework? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: Peter Murphy | IG: @peter_murphy WATCH PETER'S SPECIAL "OUT OF NOWHERE" HERE  Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Robert McLaughlin, Jewell Hermann, Renae Michael 👉 NEXT WEEK: We actually review Papa Murphy's and put take 'n' bake pizza through the Chili's Test to see how it stacks up against the ultimate casual-dining benchmark.

    50 min
  8. BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Amazing Wings, Polarizing Pizza, and a Bunch of Pizookies

    JAN 28

    BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Amazing Wings, Polarizing Pizza, and a Bunch of Pizookies

    🍕🍪 BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse Review: Extreme Pizza, Elite Wings, and Too Much Chocolate 🍪🍕 We're back with Part 2 of BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, and this time PJ McCormick (@peejmccormick) and I actually sit down to eat. The service feels a little detached, the vibes are exactly what you'd expect from a brewery, and PJ remains baffled that this place ever started as a pizza joint. 🍕 Pepperoni Extreme Pizza Surprisingly Lives Up to the "Extreme" (What is this, 2002??) 🍪 A Trio of Pizookies: Salted Caramel, Strawberry Shortcake, and WAY Too Much Chocolate 🍤 New Orleans Jambalaya Didn't Matter At ALL 🥨 Big Twist Pretzel Hanged for Pickpocketing 🍗 BJ's Original Wings Steal the Whole Meal 🎙️ PJ Shares His Best and Worst Restaurant Experiences 🚫 Domino's Earns PJ's 0 out of 10 (and I Protest) 🏆 A 10.00 Goes to Vegan Italian Pasta 💬 COMMENT BELOW: Is BJ's as good as we scored it? 📢 SUPPORT THE SHOW & JOIN THE COMMUNITY: 🎉 Patreon (Bonus episodes, extended Yelp segments & more): patreon.com/finediningpodcast 💬 Discord (Food talk, memes, cursed Yelp): discord.gg/6a2YqrtWV4 🎥 Watch full episodes: youtube.com/channel/UCLbraNhL6KhDPkdSWt2yiuw 🔗 All links: linktree.com/finediningpodcast 🎤 Guest: PJ McCormick | IG: @peejmccormick Patreon Producers: Sue Ornelas & Joyce Van Patreon Subscribers: David Ornelas, Kellie Baldwin, Jeremy Horwitz, Herbert Amaya, Simone Davalos, Scott Bennett, Amy Reinhart, Josef Castaneda-Liles, & Travis Langley Free Patreon Followers: Joe Warszalek, Lauren Cummings, Grace Krainak, Keri Estes, Robert Duran, Patrick Elliott, Michelle Elmer, Dave Plummer, Nicholas Volney, Michael Gerard, Tracy Molino, Phuong Duong, Tyler Robinson, Brandon Gully, Mason Cruz, Michael Milito, Mez, Aaron Hubbard, Steff, Robert McLaughlin, & Jewell Hermann 👉 NEXT WEEK: I head to Papa Murphy's Take 'n Bake Pizza with stand-up comedian Peter Murphy. Yes, we drove 4 hours just to pick up a pizza that we had to cook at home...

    53 min

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
213 Ratings

About

Comedian Michael Ornelas dives deep into the stories behind your favorite chain restaurants like Domino's, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, and Long John Silver's before determining if they are better or worse than Chili's: the most mediocre restaurant in America.

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