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THE DON DIAMONT INTERVIEW – THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

By Michael Fairman

Published

17 years ago

on

donDiamontMain.jpgThe old adage: “When one door closes another one opens” could not be more apropos’ for Don Diamont. The actor who spent nearly 23 years playing Brad Carlton on The Young and the Restless and was let-go by the show, reportedly due to budget constraints, is back on daytime next week on The Bold and the Beautiful. Mark your calendars for May 12th when Bill Spencer Jr. in the form of Diamont, makes his explosive debut on the “B&B” canvas.

In this very warm and engaging interview between Don and On-Air On-Soaps, he opens up about getting the call from Brad Bell that would bring his talents to “Y&R’s” sister soap. In fact, in an ironic twist of fate, it is known that Don’s character, Brad Carlton, was named after Bill Bell Sr.’s son, Brad. So, how amazing that some two decades later it would be Brad who would come calling for Diamont.

Don chats about the aspects of his new role; working with the leading ladies at “B&B”, getting to see his old pals at “Y&R” again, and the emotional and difficult time he faced being “killed-off” from that series and people that he loved. And yes, we even address the much-maligned “Reliquary” storyline for good measure.

“B&B” fans look out! This guy is getting ready to shake things up for the lives of the Forrester’s, Logan’s, and anyone else who comes into his radar.

Here’s Don!

Listen to the audio:

[display_podcast]

MICHAEL:

Daytime fans are so excited that you’re back on soaps! Tell us how you came to your new role of Bill Spencer Jr. on “B&B”?

DON:

First, I am very blessed and happy to be back. I received a call from Brad Bell (executive producer and head writer, “B&B), and he told me he had a role for me, and asked me if I would be interested. He described the character to me. I said, “When do I start?”

MICHAEL:

Is Bill Jr.…..?

DON:

susanDon.jpg…Well, he is not going to be going by the name Bill Jr.; he sets that straight right off the bat!

MICHAEL:

So he is just “Bill”?

DON:

That is what he says when Stephanie refers to him as “Bill Jr.” and I say, “Bill”. I make that clear right away.

MICHAEL:

Can fans expect Bill to be
a ‘smarmy’ sort of a guy?

DON:

I would describe him as rogue-ish, as opposed to smarmy. He is politically incorrect, sexually inappropriate, and has no censor on himself, whatsoever. He says whatever is on his mind to anyone at anytime…no-holds barred. He takes no-prisoners and nothing or no one intimates him. He is a highly competitive guy, an adrenaline junkie, and a mixed-martial arts guy, and an Ultimate Fighting fan. Bill is quite a force to be reckoned with.

MICHAEL:

So, he comes on to the canvas because his father, Bill Sr., died?

DON:

Correct. He has been estranged from his father. I believe he was born out of wedlock from an affair, and Karen is his half-sister. Roughly ten years ago they developed a business relationship, and it was a contentious one. They really had no personal relationship to speak of. Bill is a pretty gifted and ruthless businessman. He kind of took the Center Publications to new heights, and here he is in LA.

MICHAEL:

Will Bill become involved with all the fashion titans on the show, such as the Forresters?

donPurple.jpgDON:

He will, in one way or another, be involved with the fashion industry, and he will mix things up a bit… sort of the straw that stirs the drink to some extent.

MICHAEL:

All the females on “B&B” who I have interviewed are ecstatic to have you on the show!

DON:

Well, that is good to hear. I would hate to hear, “Off the record, we can’t stand him!”

MICHAEL:

Have you gotten to work with thee ladies of “B&B” yet?

DON:

I have worked with Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke), Jennifer Gareis (Donna), Susan Flannery (Stephanie), and I have worked with Heather Tom (Katie).

MICHAEL:

How long have you been taping now?

DON:

I have been taping only a couple of weeks. I shot my first week, and then we had an anniversary party, and then we went on hiatus for three weeks. So, that is a nice introduction to a job! Then we came back, and I am working this week, and then we are dark next week! It’s a great job! But I tell you we do get quite a bit of time off, but when we are working, we are working! It is intense! There is an incredible amount of dialog, and they tape two shows a day, and its sort of when you are the featured person in one of the shows, you are the show. You talk and a have a lot of dialog. It requires a lot of discipline.

MICHAEL:

What is it like for you, being able to work with Susan Flannery?

DON:

I know this sounds corny, but it’s an honor and a privilege. She is such a dynamic actress, and she is so professional. Susan is so present, and you need to be on your toes. I relish it and I enjoy that. I truly love when the characters go to toe to toe. And, its well-written material. I cannot say enough about her and how much I look forward to working with her. It certainly lived up to my expectations. She cares so much about the work. When I told my friends at “Y&R” that I was going to be working with Susan quite a bit, everyone was envious.

MICHAEL:

How was it going back to CBS and getting to see your pals at “Y&R”, who work right across the hall from “B&B”?

DON:

goodbyeParty.jpgIt was really heartwarming. I really felt like a long lost son who had come back. I wasn’t gone that long a time. But, I had this feeling of joy that they were so genuinely happy and thrilled that I was on “B&B”. I walked on to the set and it was a warm reception. I also have to say, I was so touched by my send-off by all the actors, crew, and production people, and the welcome when they found out I was back and working down the hall. It was so touching.

MICHAEL:

Many of your former cast mates from “Y&R” were so upset when you were let-go from the show, including Eric Braeden (Victor), who was very vocal with me about letting someone go who has been a veteran for over 20 years on their show.

DON:

That means a lot to me. They are all my friends and we had been through a lot. I was very touched by the send off, the outpouring, and the phone calls when people heard. It was a tough time and a difficult period for me.

MICHAEL:

What did you think about how Brad died on “Y&R”? As a “Mr. Freeze”, no less?

DON:

mrFreeze.jpgOdd that a Navy Seal froze under the ice in the water? Yes, I thought that was odd, but it aint’ up to me. So that’s the way they chose to do it, and they did that to propel story forward and to make it very clear that I was not coming back. (He laughs) Unless, I have been cryogenically frozen! Honestly, the hardest part was just leaving, because my entire adult life had been spent there and through everything good and bad that happened to me, “Y&R” was the constant.

MICHAEL:

At least you won’t have to ever revisit the “Reliquary” storyline anymore!

DON:

I do not have to do the “Reliquary” anymore, correct, but it was fun story. The reliquary got a little out of hand, but having said that, it was a pretty compelling story and I was very happy to play it.

MICHAEL:

You have a large family. What was their reaction to you coming over to “B&B”?

DON:

donFamily.jpgThey are really excited. I have many children, and this is just a very different guy I am playing. His look is different, his clothes are different, and his hair and the facial hair are different.

MICHAEL:

Will we be throwing things at the TV when Bill is on?

DON:

You mean love to love to hate him? I think you could say that. He has the JR Ewing kind of thing going. He is the guy that you tune in to see, “What is he going to do today?” Look, I am actor and I want to act. So, to have an opportunity to go back to work is terrific. For Brad to entrust me to play this important dynamic character, I am very honored that he would give me the opportunity, and that he had enough respect for my ability that
he offered it to me.

MICHAEL:

Who would you like to see him romantically involved with on the show?

DON:

Do you think I would answer that question? Are you out of your mind? I would never walk down that road! They are all beautiful, talented, charming and intelligent women, and I would be happy to work with each and every one of them. How do you like that answer? Candidate Obama! Next, I will be running for President.

MICHAEL:

What about the guys?

donWinsor.jpgDON:

Hate em all! Every single one of them! Ronn Moss (Ridge), Winsor Harmon (Thorne) and Brandon Beemer (Owen) were my buddies before. We had done some appearances together and I have known Winsor for 20 years. Ronn and I had never spent much time together, but we did a celebrity fan cruise together and that was my first opportunity to get to know Ronn. He is such a wonderful guy. Brandon is, too. John McCook (Eric) I have known for many years. All good people!

MICHAEL:

If we were to describe Bill, and what to look forward from him, what would you say?

DON:

He will be a cross between Jack Sparrow, ( Johnny Depp’s character from Pirates of the Caribbean), Richard Branson media mogul, and maybe a little pinch of Hannibal Lechter.

MICHAEL:

You were a victim of budget cuts at “Y&R” and tough economic times in the soap genre. What is your perspective on what soaps need to do now to survive?

DON:

I think some of those changes have obviously been happening in terms of salary cuts, budget and production cuts, streamlining the shows to make them more efficient to keep their costs down. Do I know what the answer is? No. The world is a more competitive place and you have to be on your game and invested in what you are doing to try to keep pace. I think the actors, crew, and production are all very aware of it. Everybody gets the picture.

MICHAEL:

I know it was a very difficult time being let go from “Y&R” after so many years. For people that find strength from others, can you tell me how you dealt with the loss and how did you get to the other side of it?

DON:

donSmileSuit.jpgFirst, I think it’s important that you do sit with it for a minute. It’s all right to be upset, to have some hurt and anger… whatever those emotions are. You are allowed to feel that way and there is some benefit to that. It’s a loss. Like anyone, when you lose a loved one you have a period of mourning, and it’s the same thing for me. It was a loss for me, and then it becomes, “Ok, let’s get proactive.” I did not know I would get the call from Brad. I assumed I might hear from some other daytime show, given that I had been doing what I have been doing for as long as I had been doing it. I thought I may hear from somebody, but I could not bank on that. So, I was proactive. I got a new agent. I shot new pictures, started training harder, doing as much as I could to move forward and move through it. You can’t wallow in your self-pity, and you can’t say, “Why me?” Again, you can do that for a brief period and go through your mourning. Life is about moving forward. It’s not about looking back. That is how I talk to my kids, that’s what I would tell myself, and that is what I would say to anyone. Do what you can do to better yourself, to affect your circumstances, and do the things that are in your control. You can’t control when you are going to get the phone call, but you can be prepared when it comes. Do the things that are in your control to do. Be positive. Walk through the fire. There is something on the other side of it.

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what a great interviewer. really enjoyed it… thanks for bringing out some great stories. Rose

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Don Diamont has a lot of boys!! He’s definitely keeping the mohels in business!

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I can’t stand Don Diamont. He sounds as arrogant as I assumed he was. Smarmy was a perfect description.

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Interviews

WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)

Published

1 day ago

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April 30, 2026

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WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus has had an incredible in-ring career, on and off for over 25 years. Having debuted as a heel back in 2000, she held the then WWE Women’s Championship for a record 445 days back in 2005 and into 2006, before dropping the title to her nemesis, Mickie James at WrestleMania 22, and is considered one of the best to ever to it by many in the women’s locker room, then and now. When it was her turn to be inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2013, she chose Stephanie McMahon (this year’s Hall of Fame class 2026) to do the honors at the ceremony.

Fast forward and April’s WrestleMania 42 week in Las Vegas, Michael Fairman TV had a reunion with Trish for this very special interview. For when Trish started in the WWE, Fairman was working as a writer/producer for ‘Raw’ and ‘SmackDown’ and as told in their discussion, recalled how he worked with an upstart Stratus to help her learn her lines for her promos and more. Now two and half decades later, we caught up at Trish’s WrestleMania 42 pop up at Flankers at Mandalay Bay entitled First Crush by Trish Stratus. Trish had created an immersive experience for wrestling fans, Trish fans, and offered on stage Q&A’s with special guests and much more.

Backstage, she sat down with us to take a trip down memory lane, share her picks for WrestleMania 42 in the top women’s bouts (see if she predicted, correctly!) and talked some of her greatest moments. opponents. and friendships in the ring and out, plus what keeps getting her to come back when she has already accomplished so much in her iconic career.

Photo: WWE

TO SINK OR SWIM IN THE WWE

Trish shared on being a rookie in WWE with little to no experience, explaining, “I was thrown right into it. I was a fan of wrestling, watching it, enjoying it. Started to dabble into fitness modeling. So suddenly, I was kind of a public figure all of a sudden. Modeling is very different than actually speaking. They (WWE) literally threw me into the water and it was like sink or swim. The wrestling was one thing and they threw me out there for my first couple matches. Most people come up in the independent wrestling circuits. I had done some wrestling, but it was foundational kind of stuff. It wasn’t like performance yet and they gave me my first promo and I was the green one.

In the world of pro wrestling its all about getting the moment to prove yourself and making something out of it, Trish did just that when she became the beautiful manager/wrestler of the late Test and Albert, and suddenly they were known as .. yup … you remember … ‘T and A.”

BAD GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

Photo; WWE

Stratus recalled, “I was sitting backstage waiting for them to find the storyline. I remember just chilling actually with Lilian Garcia (then the ring announcer.) We bonded right away. She was my little bestie. I was on the road for a couple weeks in a row and, and then finally they came to me like, ‘Today’s the day. … we’re putting you out there.’ So, there I was with Test and Albert, otherwise known as T-and-A … get it! Those were the days of the double entendres. We were told we were bad guys, and we had to flesh out our characters.   had to get people to boo me right off the bat.”

“I love being a heel” Stratus said passionately. However, when she comes out of retirement or makes special appearances, or comes back for a lengthy storyline she prefaces it with, “The thing for me to come back to the business for a little while means leaving my kids. I have to make sure that it checks all the boxes, right? I want be challenged as a performer, number one. I want to make sure I’m coming back and giving back to the businesses. Not just being self-serving.  So, when I can check those boxes, it’s exciting, and makes it fun to come back.”

BECKY LYNCH AND MICKIE JAMES

Photo: WWE

Trish revealed her favorite WrestleMania moments through the years and her perfect opponents; the women she feels she created magic with in the ring. “When I returned in 2023, we had done the babyface come back. I’ve come back and they’re cheered me and they’re excited to see me. Nobody expected that, and that’s what I love doing. I love the unexpected. I was working with Becky Lynch.  I knew she was the perfect babyface to be a bitch to and to turn on; bringing in the bestie so that I could turn on her with all those years of history, that’s juicy to me. I love it.”

As to her WrestleMania match resume, it was an easy pick fo Stratus, “I’m going to do with Mickie James WrestleMania 22. We like to call us the hashtag ‘longest rivalry in history.’ Becky Lynch and I might have rivaled that rivalry just because we did have a lot. But, I’m all about the stories, and to make sure there’s a meaning behind it. I want to foreshadow a little. I want to understand what my character’s thinking when I go into this. We had the fans captivated. I think at WrestleMania 22, with the way the crowd reacted and the way they were so invested in our storyline, I feel like we got them.”

Proud of what she and Mickie accomplished, Trish added, “They were like, ‘the women can hold a crowd, like the men can.’ I think that was like the moment we kind of had arrived. I have to say the Jazz/Trish stuff, the Victoria/Trish stuff, this is all stuff that planted the seeds. Mickie James and I, right there at WrestleMania, and we’re talking about a WrestleMania moment. I’m also going to give a shout out to WrestleMania 19 with Jazz and Victoria and Steven Richards … who took the best Stratusfaction I’ve ever seen!”

THE STACKED WWE CURRENT WOMEN’S ROSTER

Photo: WWE

While WrestleMania 42 is in the record books, we asked the Hall of Famer, her picks for the key women’s championship title match-upsbetween: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan, AJ Lee vs. Becky Lee, and Jade Cargill vs. Rhea Ripley as you will see below in our video chat.

Trish went three for three and had nothing but high praise for all six of the women who laid it all on the line less than two weeks ago at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Now below, watch this exclusive conversation with Trish Stratus. For more WrestleMania 42 week interviews, make sure to check them out on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel.

Let us know, have you been a fan of Trish through her years in the WWE? Do you agree with her favorite WrestleMania moment with Mickie James? What has been your favorite match and story in Trish’s in-ring career? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

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Interviews

Y&R’s Christel Khalil Talks the Emotional Winters Family Turns of Events; Shemar Moore, and Lily and Cane’s Future (Exclusive)

Published

3 weeks ago

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April 9, 2026

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This week on The Young and the Restless, viewers have been served up an emotional series of scenes and episodes centering around the return of Malcolm Winters played by Shemar Moore, who returns to Genoa City to ask his daughter, Lily for her help (Christel Khalil). 

In story, Malcolm has aplastic anemia and needs a bone marrow transplant and his best option is a family member. However, things turn bleak when they both learn that she cannot be his donor because Lily previously had cancer. Enter Dr. Stephanie Johnson, the also returning Vivica A. Fox, who tells her son, Holden (Nathan Owens) and Malcolm, that Holden is his biological son! This admission gives Malcolm a chance at a donor match to save his life.

Now, Christel Khalil, who recently came back to the CBS soap opera following her maternity leave, and the birth of her third child, chatted all about the new complex family dynamics, working with Billy Flynn as her new Cane, and Lily being in cahoots with Victor Newman, and more in a new conversation on the Michael Fairman Channel. Here are some of the takeaways below!

Courtesy/CBS

Working with Shemar Moore again and their touching scenes in front of Neil Winters’ portrait

CHRISTEL: “It’s always amazing to have anyone come back that’s been away for a while, but especially, Shemar. It’s all the history with him being Lily’s dad. For me, it’s been 20 years of knowing him. Obviously, I don’t get to talk to him or hang out with him and that kind of thing. So it was just nice just to see him again and have that moment around Neil’s portrait, and to be able to share that together and even talk about that off-camera. It’s just special and feels like family, which is nice.”

The emotional scenes with Malcolm and learning Lily has a brother

CHRISTEL: “It’ a great story. I love when anything is grounded in reality where people who have maybe gone through the same thing can relate and it can help people I feel like that happened when Lily had cancer on the show. It’s nice to see something really heart-based, really family-based. I feel like we haven’t been able to see that with Lily in a long time. Then, finding out that she has a brother, I thought that was really amazing.”

Photo: CBS

Working with Nathan Owens

CHRISTEL: “I love Nathan. We have so much fun together. We’re already teasing and joking each other on set like brother and sister, so it’s really nice. I was really excited to find out that he was part of the family, which is I think more interesting.”

Shemar Moore returning to tape more episodes

CHRISTEL: “I haven’t read that far ahead, but there must be something happening because when Shemar returns, I know a lot of people are involved in something. So we’ll see!”

Photo: CBS

Lily’s involvement in faking her own abduction

CHRISTEL: “When I first read it I was like, ‘Yikes, that’s really bad. It’s very not like Lily.’ It seemed very out of character for her. But then, as I started reading more and learning more about the reasons behind doing it, I actually really liked it. I see what some of what the fans say and they’re like, ‘Lily’s always on her high horse and she’s always, little ‘Miss Goodie Two Shoes.'”

Lily with an edge

CHRISTEL:“Oh yeah, she can definitely be bitchy for sure. I think when she’s bitchy, it’s because she’s usually judging someone else. I think this was a nice thing to kind of temper the judgment that she’s always giving where it’s like, ‘Ok, you do some things wrong too, so let’s just relax.'”

Photo: JPI

Billy Flynn

CHRISTEL: “I love Billy. He’s such a sweet, amazing guy, and an amazing actor and very professional. We have a great time together.  I like how they’ve really switched up the Cain character completely. He’s not trying to be the old cane. It’s a completely new cane and you know, I think we have good chemistry together. So, t’s been really fun to play with him and there’s some exciting stuff coming up. Hopefully, everyone likes it.”

Phyllis and Lily’s history

CHRISTEL: “Lily’s always annoyed with Phyllis, right? Michelle Stafford and I always have  conversations where I’m like, ‘You killed my mom.’ She’s like, ‘No! I didn’t. She let go! ‘(in reference to Dru falling off a cliff) To know that Phyllis and Cane had a thing, is very disturbing to Lily.”

Now below, check out our full conversation with Christel on the homecomings of Shemar Moore, Vivica A. Fox and welcoming Nathan Owens to the Winters clan, plus the drama ahead for Lily.

So, have you enjoyed the Lily and Malcolm scenes thus far? What do you think will happen when Shemar returns for another set of scenes taping this month as teased by Christel? Are you down for Lily and Cane, as played by Billy Flynn? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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Interviews

‘The Bold and the Beautiful’s’ Jacqueline MacInnes Wood Talks What’s Next for Steffy Forrester (Exclusive)

Published

4 weeks ago

on

April 6, 2026

By

Three-time Daytime Emmy winner, Jacqueline MacInnes Wood is celebrating nearly two decades as Steffy Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful. Last September, she returned to the CBS daytime drama after her most recent maternity and giving birth to her 5th son.

Now back at the soap opera and a mom of five, Michael Fairman TV caught up with Jacqui at the recent launch party for the BBTV global streaming app which also served as a gathering for the series 39th anniversary.

Wood gave us the lowdown of what may lie ahead for the often in-your-face Forrester dynamo who has no problem snarking a comment or two to Hope (Annika Noelle), and who definitely wants her mother, Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig), and all her loved ones to stay away from Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown)!

Photo: JPI

‘It’s been fun what we’ve been filming, we’ve been non-stop,” shared Wood. “The other day I was doing four episodes back to back, and we were just in it. It’s fun to play Steffy right now. Love her or hate her. I have fun playing her.”

FROM LEADING ROLE TO SUPER MOM

Jacqui also weighed-in on; if throughout her run on the show, she has changed dialog or  something in a script to help out her performance. “Sometimes, but not all the time. I let Brad Bell (executive producer and head writer) write. I try to execute the best way I can,” reflected Wood. “There are times where I see it and I go, ‘Let me take the reins here. I got this.’  They’ll kind of let me go. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I’m OK for critique. We can’t work scenes over and over again. We’re not on that kind of medium or set. You kind of have to know what you’re bringing, but I’m always open.”

Being supermom to sons: Rise Harlen, Lenix, Brando Elion, Valor James and Talon, wife to husband Elan Ruspoli, and a leading actress on The Bold and the Beautiful is a lot to juggle, but Wood has found the way to do it all. “Honestly, I just truly live intentionally, ” explained Jacqui. “I know what we have here, and it makes me truly grateful to have my kids and to be able to still be a mom. I still see myself as a full-time mom. I’ll film episodes back to back, and then I go and I be a mom. I get to bring my kids to set. So. it’s cool.”

Photo: JPI

THE YOUNG AND THE BOLD

Wood is very impressed by B&B’s “new kids on the block,” Crew Morrow (Will), Sydney Bullock (Dylan), Brayan Nicoletti  (R.J.) and Laneya Grace (Electra) and shared she likes where Steffy is at in 2026, “I like the steady right now. I don’t want to like hit my cortisol levels yet. The younger generation can do that right now. I love the younger generation. I think they’re doing such a fantastic job, I just want to lean in and let them go and let them do their thing. If Steffy needs to chime in she will do that, and if she needs to slap some people, she can do that too!”

As to what man is in Steffy’s future, if it’s remaining happily married to Finn (Tanner Novlan), rekindling a romance with her ex-Liam (Scott Clifton ) for the umpteenth time, or a new man enters Steffy’s life, Wood would not say the way things may go down the line.

Photo: JPI

When talked turned to Steffy’s former pain killer addiction, Jacqui did say that. “It’s always a possibility” for the show to bring that back when it makes sense for Steffy and to service the story.

You can check out the full conversation below, and all the BBTV launch party interview with the cast, now on the Michael Fairman Channel.

So, do you think Steffy will be giving everyone trouble at Forrester? Do you think she will stay with Finn for years to come? What story would you like to see Wood be given at this point on the daytime drama series? Weigh-in via the comment section.

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