The Louis Theroux Podcast

Spotify Podcasts
  • 4.4 (119)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Join Louis Theroux as he embarks on a series of in-depth and freewheeling conversations with a curated collection of fascinating figures from across the globe. The Louis Theroux Podcast is a Spotify podcast from Mindhouse, now available everywhere.

  1. Kyle MacLachlan on his relationship with David Lynch, Showgirls, and viral stardom

    4D AGO

    Kyle MacLachlan on his relationship with David Lynch, Showgirls, and viral stardom

    In this episode, Louis speaks with Kyle MacLachlan, muse of iconic director David Lynch and internet “babygirl”. Kyle tells Louis about working with Lynch on Twin Peaks and Blue Velvet, why he will never watch Paul Verhoeven’s Showgirls, and going viral on TikTok.   Watch Season 2 of Fallout on Prime Video now.     Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.     Links/Attachments:    TV Show: ‘Fallout’ (2024 - Now) - Prime Video  http://amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/B0FLT3NNDQ/ref=atv_dp_season_select_s2    TV Show: Twin Peaks (1990) - ABC  https://www.paramountplus.com/gb/shows/twin_peaks/    Blue Velvet (1986)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/blue-velvet/umc.cmc.33lsrdtequl92bh2q4qufz09j?action=play    Easy Rider (1969)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0064276/     Apocalypse Now (1979)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/apocalypse-now/umc.cmc.34p6g8esi62ncametagl3s7ao?action=play     Eraserhead (1977)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0074486/     The Elephant Man (1980)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080678/    Dune (1984)   https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/dune/umc.cmc.7edgw5obp2gwx0xsyhla10zbc?action=play     Instagram Post: Kyle about David Lynch  https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5pC5RyH29/?hl=en&img_index=1     Dune (2021)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/dune/umc.cmc.2l7qj9p33t3jww1roxi8cgiw5?action=play     White Nights (1985)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090319/     TV Show: Portlandia (2011-2018) - IFC  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1780441/     TV Show: Desperate Housewives (2004 – 2012) - ABC  https://tv.apple.com/gb/episode/pilot/umc.cmc.1nlhsa37c9fb3k7i79tls86l4?showId=umc.cmc.764fqtvvzfic5cig1ubycwn4&action=playSmartEpisode     TV Show: Sex and the City (1989 – 2004) - HBO  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0159206/     The Hidden (1988)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/the-hidden/umc.cmc.xpfv9tdbmpijtg30s9sofdq7?action=play     The Doors (1991)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101761/     Showgirls (1995)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114436/     Podcast: What Are We Even Doing? With Kyle MacLachlan - IHeartPodcasts  https://open.spotify.com/show/4Q0EAcipmnanJtijhZR4Id     Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071853/     Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079470/     TikTok Post: Kyle’s viral post  https://www.tiktok.com/@kyle_maclachlan/video/7561193641553726750     TV Show: ‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2005 – 2014) - CBS  https://tv.apple.com/gb/episode/pilot/umc.cmc.3gahlb7gzcf4n4vm56n4et5um?showId=umc.cmc.hrenotb7pqaz2mo61vph1gwj&action=playSmartEpisode     RoboCop (1987)  https://www.itv.com/watch/robocop/ROBOCOP/CFD2301a0001     Inland Empire (2006)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460829/     TV Show: ‘The Last of Us’ (2023 – Now) - HBO  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3581920/     ‘Dennis Hopper’s Best Moments as Frank’ - Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1CQgHeoe14    M (1931)   https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022100/     Credits:  Producer: Millie Chu   Assistant Producer: Mark Maughan  Production Manager: Francesca Bassett   Music: Miguel D’Oliveira   Audio Mixer: Tom Guest  Video Mixer: Scott Edwards   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 17m
  2. Boris Becker on encountering Diddy, mind-games with Nadal and his spell in prison

    MAR 3

    Boris Becker on encountering Diddy, mind-games with Nadal and his spell in prison

    Bingo cards at the ready... for the first episode of the series, Louis’s on the road again - this time in sunny Milan to sit down with tennis champion, coach, and commentator, Boris Becker. The pair discuss Boris encountering Diddy in Miami, playing mind-games with Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon locker room, and his spell in Wandsworth prison.    Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.     Links/Attachments:    Book: Boris Becker Inside, Boris Becker (2025)  https://www.waterstones.com/book/inside/boris-becker/9780008782924     Book: The Player, Boris Becker (2004)  https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-player/boris-becker/9780857500274     Boom! Boom! The World vs. Boris Becker, (2023)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10366552/     Boris Becker: The Rise & Fall, (2023)  https://www.itv.com/watch/boris-becker-the-rise-and-fall/10a2940     Song: ‘Me Against The World', Tupac (1995)  https://open.spotify.com/track/76wJIkA63AgwA92hUhpE2V?si=dcabe1b32c4947c9     Song: ‘Slippin’, Lil Kim (2005)  https://open.spotify.com/track/3xN4CIFCdrJOiCFF7NFILQ    Article: Judge Ordered to Pay Fine for Racist Tweet  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/16/alternative-germany-politician-ordered-pay-compensation-boris/#:~:text=Jens%20Maier%20of%20the%20AfD%20was%20ordered%20to%20pay%20%E2%82%AC,obtain%20bookings%20as%20a%20DJ        Credits:  Producer: Millie Chu   Assistant Producer: Maan al-Yasiri  Production Manager: Francesca Bassett   Music: Miguel D’Oliveira   Audio Mixer: Tom Guest  Video Mixer: Scott Edwards   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Studios Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 25m

  3. TRAILER

    Louis returns for Season 7!

    People of Radioland...Louis's back with a brand new series of his podcast, 'The Louis Theroux Podcast'. Watch exclusively on Spotify, or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 min
  4. Jimmy Carr discusses the secret to his comedy, remaining a virgin until 26, and performing in Riyadh

    12/16/2025

    Jimmy Carr discusses the secret to his comedy, remaining a virgin until 26, and performing in Riyadh

    For this Christmas bonus episode, Louis sits down with writer, comedian, and panel-show super-host, Jimmy Carr. Jimmy discusses what lies behind his unique brand of ‘edgy' comedy, why he remained a virgin until the age of 26 and performing at the Riyadh Comedy Festival despite public criticism.   Jimmy’s film, ‘Fackham Hall’, is out in cinemas now.  Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.     Links/Attachments:  Book: Before & Laughter, Jimmy Carr (2021)  https://www.jimmycarr.com/product/book-laughter/    Fackham Hall (2025)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29008225/    Jimmy Carr Tour  https://www.jimmycarr.com/tour/uk-ireland/     Alex Hormozi quote:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DIzTPjPTZB0/     Book: Homo Ludens by Johan Huizinga  https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/203913/homo-ludens-by-johan-huizinga/    Peter McGraw’s Benign Violations  https://petermcgraw.org/a-brief-introduction-to-the-benign-violation-theory-of-humor/     Book: Discipline and Punish, Michel Foucault (1975)  https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/13651/discipline-and-punish-by-michel-foucault-trans-alan-sheridan/9780241386019     Bob Monkhouse joke about cancer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTUvRW7gtGU    Jimmy Carr: His Dark Material (2021)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16259786/     Nadine Dorries’ comment about Jimmy Carr joke:  https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/nadine-dorries-jimmy-carr-netflix-jewish-roma-b2008317.html     Jimmy Carr’s joke about injured soldiers:  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/6486964/Jimmy-Carr-feels-terrible-about-injured-soldiers-joke.html#:~:text=Jimmy%20Carr%20'feels%20terrible'%20about%20injured%20soldiers%20joke     Saint Lawrence, the patron Saint of comedy:  https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/08/10/st-lawrence-patron-saint-of-comedians     TV Show: ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/     Dave Chappelle quote:  https://btr.michaelkwan.com/2017/03/26/sunday-snippet-dave-chappelle/#:~:text=Posted%20by%20Michael%20Kwan%20%7C%20Mar,Maybe%20it%20was%20something%20else.     TV Show: ‘The Black and White Minstrel Show’ (1958-1978)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0198065/     TV Show: ‘The Young Ones’ (1982-1984)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083505/     Titania McGrath quote:  https://x.com/TitaniaMcGrath/status/1453065592651517964     Musical: We Will Rock You, Ben Elton (2002)  https://wewillrockyoulondon.co.uk/     John Betjeman’s Slough poem:  https://allpoetry.com/poem/8493391-Slough-by-Sir-John-Betjeman     TV Show: ‘The Office’ (2001-2003)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290978/    Naval Ravikant  https://nav.al/rich     TV Show: 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (2012 – 2025)  https://www.channel4.com/programmes/8-out-of-10-cats-does-countdown     The Fog of War (2004)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/the-fog-of-war/umc.cmc.3j815y9s5id2nvfztrlfh75il?action=play     Eric Weinstein’s Intellectual Dark Web  https://www.whatisemerging.com/videos/inside-the-intellectual-dark-web-eric-weinstein    Hillary Clinton’s ‘deplorable’ speech:   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-37330420     Jordan Peterson on compelled speech  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37875695         Credits:  Producer: Millie Chu   Assistant Producer: Emilia Gill  Production Manager: Francesca Bassett   Music: Miguel D’Oliveira   Audio Mixer: Tom Guest  Video Mixer: Scott Edwards   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 16m
  5. Marina Abramovic on the relationship between performance and pain, never feeling loved in her childhood, and harmful conspiracies

    11/18/2025

    Marina Abramovic on the relationship between performance and pain, never feeling loved in her childhood, and harmful conspiracies

    For the final episode of this series, Louis travels to Manchester to sit down with Marina Abramovic, the self-proclaimed “grandmother of performance art”. Marina tells Louis the stories behind some of her most famous artworks, as well as the relationship between performance and pain, never feeling loved in her childhood, and being caught in the middle of an online conspiracy.       Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.     Links/Attachments:    Balkan Erotic Epic, Marina Abramovic (2025)  https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2025/may/22/manchester-to-host-world-premiere-of-marina-abramovics-balkan-erotic-epic     The Artist is Present, Marina Abramovic (2010)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2073029/    Lips of Thomas, Marina Abramovic (1975)  https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/5176    Rhythm 0, Marina Abramovic (1974)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTBkbseXfOQ&list=PL0bCt-VbCH4N3823Lj7uNAFLiYDjSnbTp&index=1    Cut Piece, Yoko Ono (1964)  https://www.moma.org/audio/playlist/15/373     Cut Piece, Yoko Ono (2005):  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/sep/16/arts.france     Bob Wilson’s Life and Death of Marina Abramovic, (2012)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2177497/     Book: When Marina Abramovic Dies, James Westcott (2014)  https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262526814/when-marina-abramovic-dies/     Light – Dark, Ulay & Marina Abramovic (1978)  https://www.stedelijk.nl/en/collection/13991-ulay-light-dark     Seedbed, Vito Acconci (1972)  https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/266876     Seven Easy Pieces, Marina Abramovic (2005)  http://pastexhibitions.guggenheim.org/abramovic/     The Great Wall Walk, Marina Abramovic (1988)  https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/apr/25/marina-abramovic-ulay-walk-the-great-wall-of-china     Book: Walk Through Walls: A Memoir, Marina Abramovic (2016)  https://www.waterstones.com/book/walk-through-walls/marina-abramovic/9780241974520     Balkan Baroque, Marina Abramovic (1997)  https://www.singulart.com/blog/en/2024/06/03/balkan-baroque-by-marina-abramovic/?srsltid=AfmBOopPyXzjOP800ERQMaHvbiNNps0oMBOCmOKjWOhdpNt6X6kEvu2k   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQigTZuTmv0    BBC Maestro, Marina Abramovic:  https://www.bbcmaestro.com/courses/marina-abramovic/the-art-of-being-present    Article: ‘Marina Abramovic Just Wants Conspiracy Theorists to Let Her Be’, New York Times, 2020  https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/21/arts/design/marina-abramovic-satanist-conspiracy-theory.html     The Seven Deaths of Maria Callas (2022)  https://www.harrisonparrott.com/news/2022-11-04/marina-abramovic-brings-the-seven-deaths-of-maria-callas-to-royal     The Truth Vs Alex Jones (2024)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/the-truth-vs-alex-jones/umc.cmc.1azsv881ew8mcjozutufy51vf     Credits:  Producer: Millie Chu   Assistant Producer: Maan al-Yasiri   Production Manager: Francesca Bassett   Music: Miguel D’Oliveira   Audio Mixer: Tom Guest  Video Mixer: Scott Edwards   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 10m
  6. Florence Pugh discusses intimacy coordinators, jumping off buildings and getting into character

    11/11/2025

    Florence Pugh discusses intimacy coordinators, jumping off buildings and getting into character

    In this episode, Louis speaks to British actress Florence Pugh. Joining Louis at Spotify HQ, Florence talks about “abusing” herself to get into character, whether intimacy coordinators are necessary on film sets, and jumping off a building from nearly 3000 feet. Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.  If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Spotify have a website for information and resources. Visit spotify.com/resources       Links/Attachments:  Midsommar (2019)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/midsommar/umc.cmc.3btmmnmdi8cci3gb2qupxli8o?action=play     Hereditary (2018)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/hereditary/umc.cmc.1p8skf72cqba9t91v2rqjbeyv?action=play     The Most Beautiful Boy in the World (2021)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/the-most-beautiful-boy-in-the-world/umc.cmc.6nsk7o2tf9grbf1cjmicejcrv     Little Women (2019)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuVlgl16DP0     Malevolent (2018)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2386237/     King Lear (2018)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7473890/     Thunderbolts* (2025)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/thunderbolts/umc.cmc.67bgkyn0fzr8n7ngw0v4mi2df?action=play     Anora (2024)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/anora/umc.cmc.ka0xf4gk3tckil4x7x14hpcy?action=play     We Live In Time (2024)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/we-live-in-time/umc.cmc.3en3aplqsmjw1pbltmzo7p4mx?action=play     Article: Florence Pugh shares her life lessons  https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/a64501157/florence-pugh-life-lessons-video-interview/     The Wonder (2022)  https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81426931?source=35&fromWatch=true    Lady Macbeth (2016)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/lady-macbeth/umc.cmc.1crmjkmj1nzsvuwurlmdgbiji?action=play    Don’t Worry Darling (2022)  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10731256/   Credits:  Producer: Millie Chu   Assistant Producer: Sally McLennan  Production Manager: Francesca Bassett   Music: Miguel D’Oliveira   Audio Mixer: Tom Guest  Video Mixer: Scott Edwards   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 4m
  7. David Byrne on clashes in Talking Heads, neurodivergence, and culture wars

    11/04/2025

    David Byrne on clashes in Talking Heads, neurodivergence, and culture wars

    Louis sits down with David Byrne, the musician, author and iconic frontman of Talking Heads. David tells Louis about personality clashes within the band, how his neurodivergence plays a role in his music, and being at the centre of a culture-war storm. Plus, they discuss whether Donald Trump stole his ‘big suit’. Warnings: Strong language and adult themes.     Links/Attachments:   Book: Bicycle Diaries, David Byrne (2009)  https://www.waterstones.com/book/bicycle-diaries/david-byrne/9780571371266     Album: Who Is The Sky, David Byrne (2025)  https://open.spotify.com/album/5xDqZQlSx2gRrAyAgHQ8AB     Song: ‘The Book I Read’, Talking Heads (1977)  https://open.spotify.com/track/4OT7Ndu29Z7JfhwRS2iCJX     Song: ‘That’s the Way (I Like It), KC & The Sunshine Band (1994)  https://open.spotify.com/track/0RQTbMBgSq7xgdZSHFZg4R      Book: ‘An Anthropologist on Mars’, Oliver Sacks (1995)  https://www.oliversacks.com/oliver-sacks-books/an-anthropologist-on-mars/     Song: ‘She Explains Things To Me’, David Byrne (2025) https://open.spotify.com/album/5f6f5JMGxgNa0LAJqtaUXY      Song: ‘Psycho Killer’, Talking Heads (1977)  https://open.spotify.com/track/7dSCxR4LqkmxoBrq9MzVSD     Artist: Randy Newman  https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HQyFCFFfJO3KKBlUfZsyW    Artist: Alice Cooper   https://open.spotify.com/artist/3EhbVgyfGd7HkpsagwL9GS     Album: Talking Heads 77, Talking Heads (1977) https://open.spotify.com/album/0r7o2FeARRr23EZ0TJ0a8S     Artist: Ramones   https://open.spotify.com/artist/1co4F2pPNH8JjTutZkmgSm     Artist: The Clash   https://open.spotify.com/artist/3RGLhK1IP9jnYFH4BRFJBS     Artist: Sex Pistols   https://open.spotify.com/artist/1u7kkVrr14iBvrpYnZILJR     2002 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Talking Heads performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBr0FJsDk1g    Stop Making Sense (1984)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/stop-making-sense/umc.cmc.4qcn1p5rridjzo742xirf9j8m     The Silence of the Lambs (1991)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/the-silence-of-the-lambs/umc.cmc.vo1hrvp25kr64fq8irp5jx75?action=play     True Stories (2016)  https://tv.apple.com/gb/movie/true-stories/umc.cmc.7ffwwfhraf765c0l9l1v7a4tw?action=play     Weekly World News:  https://weeklyworldnews.com/     David’s online magazine:   https://reasonstobecheerful.world/      Credits:  Producer: Millie Chu   Assistant Producer: Artemis Irvine  Production Manager: Francesca Bassett   Music: Miguel D’Oliveira   Audio Mixer: Tom Guest  Video Mixer: Scott Edwards   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 16m
  8. Malala Yousafzai discusses misrepresentations of Islam, the Taliban's ‘gender apartheid’, and her views on marriage

    10/28/2025

    Malala Yousafzai discusses misrepresentations of Islam, the Taliban's ‘gender apartheid’, and her views on marriage

    In this episode, Louis speaks with Nobel laureate and education activist Malala Yousafzai. Joining Louis at Spotify HQ, the pair discuss misrepresentations of Islam, the Taliban’s 'gender apartheid', and her views on the institution of marriage. Plus, Malala shares a traumatic drug experience at university that changed her outlook on life.     Warnings: adult themes and some discussion points which could be upsetting. If you’ve been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, Spotify have a website for information and resources. Visit spotify.com/resources     Links/Attachments:   Book: Finding My Way, Malala Yousafzai (2025)  https://www.waterstones.com/book/finding-my-way/malala-yousafzai/9781399637770     Book: I Am Malala, Malala Yousafzai (2013)  https://www.waterstones.com/book/i-am-malala/malala-yousafzai/christina-lamb/9781399608992     Class Dismissed (2009) - New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000001835296/class-dismissed-malala-yousafzais-story.html     Article: Malala’s shooting   https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pakistani-teen-girls-activist-malala-yousufzai-shot-on-school-bus-by-taliban-gunman/     Article: Charlie Kirk killed  https://news.sky.com/story/what-we-know-about-how-charlie-kirk-was-killed-13428871     Article: Afghanistan's restrictions on women https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/08/1165622     Article: Southport riots   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99v90813j5o     Article: Pakistan child marriage laws   https://www.walkfree.org/news/2025/pakistan-takes-step-to-end-child-marriage-as-calls-grow-for-national-reform/     Malala Fund:  https://malala.org/     Mukhtar Mai profile:   https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13163169     Survey of worst countries for women:   https://www.amnestyusa.org/blog/the-worlds-worst-places-to-be-a-woman/     Credits:  Producer: Millie Chu   Assistant Producer: Maan al-Yasiri Production Manager: Francesca Bassett   Music: Miguel D’Oliveira   Audio Mixer: Tom Guest  Video Mixer: Scott Edwards   Shownotes compiled by Elly Young  Executive Producer: Arron Fellows       A Mindhouse Production for Spotify   www.mindhouse.co.uk   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1h 6m
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4.4
out of 5
119 Ratings

About

Join Louis Theroux as he embarks on a series of in-depth and freewheeling conversations with a curated collection of fascinating figures from across the globe. The Louis Theroux Podcast is a Spotify podcast from Mindhouse, now available everywhere.

Information

  • Channel
    Spotify Podcasts
  • Creator
    Spotify Studios
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Explicit

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