X Factor Blog – Live Shows Week 2 October 19, 2009
Posted by Ruth in : Music, TV , add a commentSo with the contestants down to ten and Scotland losing its rep this year in pub turned wedding singer, Rikki Lonely, will it be third time unlucky for poor ole Rachel next week? God bless her getting into the final two both weeks.
Let’s hope she can pick herself up for next weeks show. Danni really needs to think outside of the box for her girls next week mind you as all three performances were a bit bland last night, Lucie was especially boring and I honestly thought she deserved to be in the bottom two with Rikki more than Rachel.
Just as I am sure many of you thought Miss Frank looked like they were heading to being left on that stage, I too was hoping that Louis’s gals wouldn’t fall prey to the sing off this week without Louis there for moral support. But can I say that the only bonafide train wreck in that theatre this week was actually sitting on that judging panel? What the hell was up with ‘our’ Cheryl this weekend? Is the life as a solo performer becoming too much for her that her wee boys are starting to suffer?
After Lloyd’s performance on Saturday of Leona’s Bleeding Love, (which for the record I thought he did a great job of) and then Simons tongue lashing about her choice of songs for her wee boys, ‘our’ Cheryl turned on the water works and for what? Why was it such a hard week? Because she was performing on the show too? I was/am a bit lost as to the relevance of that comment. This is what this chick does for a living, she should be used to this…and if she can’t multi-task, then don’t, handle your business, which I believe is to launch the careers of others in this role as X Factor Judge. Her cool points are slipping away effortlessly here and we are only into the second week of the live show.
But if one thing was going to put a smile on the faces of both judges and audience it was going to be the re-named duo…Twit and Twat, thanks to my brother in law for that contribution. John and Edward singing Toxic was ingenious. This pair of tools were thrown yet another lifeline and I was pleased, again for the lack of moral support from their mentor and the fact that they are just exceptionally amusing to watch. They are obviously enjoying their time on the show and are not afraid to step out in red PVC suits and shake their stuff for the world and why should they be? They are 17 years old and just having a good laugh. When so many other contestants and the judges are signing Kleenex contracts, it is nice to have a these guys just for the entertainment factor.
Simon had every right to be smug and I think he will be playing that smug card for a while after his trio of hunks went through easily. No doubt about it, Simon has a fine group helping him win the competition this year. And if Olly Murs continues to perform like he did on Saturday night, he is the one to watch for this year, no doubt in my mind. I thought Danyl who was obviously on a mission to prove this week that he is not as cocky as the judges made out last week, was verging on being classed as a bit of Cheddar or a shot of high fructose corn syrup. He turned the modesty dial just a little bit too high this week. I am a firm believer if you are as talented as he genuinely is, just be yourself. I didn’t get the impression last week he was coming off as a lil too sure of himself, I just see a very talented guy who enjoys what he does. Don’t give in to the losers Danyl, stay as you are mate, you are doing just fine. And my sex-god Jamie Archer, I honestly had visions of him singing Genie in a Bottle when they said he was doing a Christine Aguilera joint, but then I thought, no its not Cheryl coaching the oldies, it’s the man, so I knew I had nothing to worry about.
Wonderful to see Clive Davis and Whitney Houston mentor this week and don’t we just know someone is going to get fired for that wardrobe mishap…where is Gok when you need him? Great to hear Whitney sing again, she is the ultimate diva at the end of the day and looking forward to her returning in April. Was pleased to hear her critique the contestants as opposed to playing up to their egos…a dose of reality is what everyone needs at the end of the day and no better woman for that job this week than Whit.
OUT THE DOOR PREDICTIONS FOR NEXT WEEK: I am going with Rachel as no matter how much potential I think this girl has, the public are just not feeling her which is a shame. I want to be proved wrong and the saccharine coated Lucie be booted off as I am JUST not liking her, but I think she will be in for another week at least
Until next week kids
Melanie Cornish
Ruth’s Monday Mash-Up October 12, 2009
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Our single of the week this week is the lovely Cheryl Cole’s Fight For This Love. Not only does she have the looks, the clothes and the man, but she’s also bloody briliant as a solo artist!
We all remember that first time that we saw Toy Story and thought wow is this really the future of animation movies? Over the years Pixar have given us some of cinema’s best moments so what is your favourite Pixar movie… mine’s Monster’s Inc by the way.
It appears that Zac Efron doesn’t like his early work, to be fair High School Musical was never going to be an Oscar winner was it! But it seems that Zac is moving away from all that silly teen stuff for more adult roles…bless!
Ruth xx
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X Factor Blog – Week Seven – The Final 12 October 5, 2009
Posted by Ruth in : Music, TV , 2commentsSo our final 12 have been selected and well not like there was too many surprises was there? We all knew that Louis would put through Dumb and Dumber John and Edward, he would be bowled over by the ex-strippers, even though he said they wouldn’t really have the vote of the ladies behind them.
Louis also admitted that he would enjoy the challenge that Miss Frank would give him, the trio of course being my top pick out of Louis’s three. But that rain was not doing anything for the Italian Tourism trade was it? Were the Gods really crying over the choices he had made or was that Louis trash-talking after a heavy night on the Guinness I wonder.
Anyone else think ‘our’ Cheryl was out of line with her ‘can I take a minute’ drama when she was about to boot out the 2009 version of Rhydian? I mean that poor guy, I bet he wanted to pull off each of those false lashes individually with tweezers when after all that she gave him a ‘No’.
Cruel is not the word and shocking that she failed to put through my cutie patootie Duane and the charismatic Ethan, who, if I am true to myself, was basically banking on his looks to carry him through when his vocals weren’t right. He will probably turn up in the next episode of American Idol anyway. So for ‘our’ Cheryl we have Lloyd, Rikki Lonely (some stage name there right) and her homie Joe who I think is the strongest out of the three.
Dannii didn’t really bring too many surprises in her picks really. After the audition on Saturday I had succumbed to the fact that Essex girl Stacey would be put through instead of my previous prediction, Despina. Overjoyed for Stacey though, as she is that one contestant that I think many of us can relate to and get behind.
As for Rachel, I just love her and think she is super-talented, so pleased to see her go through too. No real views on the Welsh singer Lucie really, except she can sing, so with that being said Danii is in with a chance of getting to the final at least, but I would be putting my money on Stacey no matter how good the others are. Essex stand up and stay standing…
…because Simon put through Essex native Olly. Even though I was devastated for all three of those given the boot out of the over 25s category as they all should have been there, I think Simon and the semi clad Sinnita (what the hell was that all about? I mean seriously talk about attention deprived, even Cowell looked shell-shocked when she walked out) made the best choice.
There was just no way he could let an afro and a Mohican go through… that would have been too much for the hair and make up to deal with each Saturday! But seriously, Simon had a tough job as both those girls sang their hearts out on Saturday night, Treyc blew me away for the first time when she did her audition, more so than those Robert Palmer-esque backing singers who failed to compliment any of the contestants.
And was it just me who was concerned as to how close those guys were to the pool as Simon sat up on his deck looking down on them as he gave them the verdict? A couple of steps back and drowning your sorrows might be taken a bit more literal for those who failed to make the cut.
So with Danyl, Olly and Jamie making up the final 12 get ready for the live shows kids as they are just five days away
Melanie Cornish.x
X Factor Blog – Week Six – Bootcamp September 28, 2009
Posted by Ruth in : Music, TV , 3commentsI can hardly say I am surprised with the 24 acts selected to head on over to the judge’s houses. Was I shocked to see the young Brummie; Dominic denied another shot at the X Factor role? Somewhat, bless him and Danie for their emotional pow wow when he got the elbow. Nothing easy about getting voted off after making the final 50.
But I am overjoyed to see Simon take the reigns on the Over 25’s this year. Has he got the pick of the crop or what? I mean cutting that six down to three is not going to be easy and I am sure the six individuals that made it through recognize that Mr. ‘I Will Make You Famous’ is going to have his work cut out.
He will be cracking the whip over Danyl’s head almost immediately I am sure after his Simply Red performance last night. Wasn’t it Laura White who did the same kind of thing last year, went in over her head a little too much and almost sunk. Have to admit Danyl lost cool points with me for that last night, and the fact that he cried on more than one occasion.
Not saying that I am adverse to a man who can publicly shed a tear of course, but I need the men I admire from afar to be ‘men’ and not feel the need to hand them the Kleenex all the time. Still respect the voice and the talent but his personality points have dwindled this weekend.
But get in there Jamie Afro and Nichole…so so pleased to see both of them all set to be guided by Mr. Cowell. Still a little unsure as if my girl Nichole will get to Si’s Killer 3, but hey you just never know with this show.
Dannii got the girls and will be helped along by her sister Kylie, I mean come on, how many young girls would trade their Girls Aloud / Sugarbabes / PussyCatDolls CD collections for that opportunity I wonder? I am pleased Essex Girl Stacey got her dream to be mentored by Dannii as I think after literally being ignored over the last couple of episodes Dannii deserves to have a fan or two around her.
Can we say P-R-E-D-I-C-T-A-B-L-E, Louis Walsh landing the groups again? Are the producers trying to tell us that Not insinuating that there is anything untoward going on X-Factor HQ but you JUST know that Dumb and Dumber are going to make it through under the guidance of their fellow countryman don’t you? It’s just as obvious as the woman in the chippy asking you if you want salt and vinegar on your chips really.
However would be great to actually see Louis develop Miss Frank (who ever thought up that name needs to be fired ASAP or someone needs to explain in serious detail where the hell that name came from in the comments section please as it does the gals no justice), the three girls who the judges brought together to give them another shot at stardom.
Shame about Tru Colourz making a quick exit after lying about their age. They will be shown next week being disqualified by Louis who they were not exactly enthralled about being their mentor anyway. They are replaced by Harmony Hood.
‘Our’ Cheryl landed the lads and rumour has it she will be joined by none other than boy band bad boy Robbie Williams in making her cut next week. Now that should be great TV. Heard Mr. Williams was making a come back over here in the UK and where better than the X-Factor? Not a bad group for ‘our’ Cheryl, even though she openly admitted she is not used to ‘working’ with boys last night.
She has some decent folks to work with though, Ethan, Lloyd and her homeboy Joseph McElderry especially. Looks like everyone is in for some serious deliberation next week when the contestants and their mentors fly off to Italy, LA and Dubai for the final cut.
My predictions for the Final 12 are as follows:
Girls – Lucie, Rachel and Despina
Boys – Ethan, Joe and Duane
Groups – Kandy Rain, Miss Frank, John and Edward
Over 25s – Jamie Afro, Danyl and Nichole
Let’s see how right or wrong I am next week.
Melanie Cornish
Ruth’s Wednesday Warble September 23, 2009
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We all know that our man wouldn’t think twice about kicking us to the kerb if Cheryl Cole came along asking for a date, take a look at our exclusive behind-the-scene pictures and first play of the video for Fight For This Love, and you’ll see why.
Alesha Dixon might not be the best choice to be the new judge on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, what with being a singer and not a dancer, but come on… isn’t it time to let it go now? So, rather than wasting your phone credit moaning to the BBC about your Saturday night viewing, why give that cash to a charity – a far better use for £1 if you ask me?
Justin Timberlake is going to be in BIG trouble if rumours that he’s been secretly dating Rihanna, are true… especially considering that he’s supposed to be dating Jessica Beil. Oh Justin, how could you?
Mutya Buena seems pretty keen to cash in on this Sugababes scandal at the moment, this time by having a go at Heidi Range. Considering the fact that she didn’t get much publicity from her Celebrity Big Brother appearance, who’d blame her?
Michael Jackson seems to be making more headlines these days than in the last few months of his life, but with this new clip of the King Of Pop rehearsing for his This Is It tour, we miss him even more.
Crikey we never thought we’d hear the words ‘Peter Andre’ and ‘Too Many Fans’ in the same sentence, but it looks as though the hot-bodied Aussie does indeed have too many fans!
Ruth xx
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X Factor Blog – Week Five September 21, 2009
Posted by Ruth in : Music, TV , add a commentSo with the auditions finally coming to a close, it looks like Boot Camp will be something to look forward to, doesn’t it? You can guarantee there will be a couple we thought would sail through who might not get any further, if the predictability of the show is already anything to go by.
Saturday night saw me going against the decision of my long time fave judge Simon when he didn’t think 31 year old Nichole had the potential to make it to the top of the ladder. In the words of the ultimate Mariah Carey impersonator Fouad Djaoublia “You wrong Simon, you wrong.”
Granted Nichole has picked up a slew of bad habits singing on the bar and club circuit but she can easily put those right don’t you think? I would be lying if I didn’t say I was upset with the fact that me and ‘my’ judge faced our first disagreement, what with that and the emergence of the 80 year old Eileen Chapman vying for Simon’s attention, I felt all was lost.
And looking at some of Saturdays offerings it was. Even seeing Ashley join ‘our’ Cheryl on set for her birthday wasn’t enough to save me from sinking further into a mood. And talking of Ashley Cole, was it just me or did anyone see how anti-blonde ‘our’ Cheryl got when Prison teacher Faye walked on in her lace and silk? Obviously having Ashley (who we know likes a bit a blonde) in the audience while the River Deep Mountain High singing temptress got up on stage brought out a side of ‘our’ Cheryl we have never really seen before.
Lots of disasters on the show over the weekend, nothing unusual there, but have to give a mention to Mr. Wigan. What was up with that and the various others that took to the stage and thought that getting their kit off would get them all the way to Boot Camp. Like Mr. Wigan realized, it takes a lot more than a decent set of abs to warm the hearts of that panel.
But as quickly as I got mad at Simon on Saturday night, he walked straight back into my good books when he gave us a little wordplay after the debut performance of C.A.S.Y.R (Care and Support Your Relatives.) You could tell the two cousins who performed a terrible version of Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown’s No Air were full of pish when they said in their pre-performance interview that there was no other duet in musical history that could match up to them. YEAH RIGHT!!
Simon renamed them, causing me and many millions of others to LOL, C.R.A.P (Caring Relatives are Problematic.) You know they really thought they were the coolest coming up with a name like that, bless them. But it wasn’t meant to be for them and many others like them.
The Heartfelt story of the weekend though was to do with the autistic Scott James who blew the judges and the audience away with his version of You Raise Me Up. Having been confined to his house for a third of his life, even if he hadn’t been able to sing like he did he had overcame a huge personal battle standing on that stage in front of thousands and you can’t knock that. But where there is joy there is tears and boy oh boy did we have our fair share of those this weekend.
Closing out the show on Saturday was a duo, as clichéd as it may be, called It Takes Two. Made up of an actual couple – Russell and Katy. The two have entertained on the UK resort circuit and have ended up at Alton Towers, where Katy drives a train and I think Russ is a waiter or bartender. Anyhow was it me or was he just a lil OTT?
After their performance you could see that the talent of the two was Katy, which was probably the reason why Russ had a hysterical crying fit on the shoulder of his family member and sobbed to his girlfriend that he had let her down. Come on, man up and get a grip son as you know there will be more tears ahead when the judges split the two of you up at Boot Camp and Katy ends up as a soloist with the potential to make the final 24. Just keeping it as real as I can.
Then Teardrops Part Deux came from the Cheryl Cole wannabe who failed to hit the notes of her first song, Amy from Gateshead. Yes she looked the pop star, but was she worthy of a shot at the title after forgetting the words of the second song the Pretenders I’ll Stand By You, which many think is an original of our Cheryl’s Girls Aloud.
Even though Amy is from my neck of the woods and I am all for home town heroes/heroines she is really going to have to sing her boots off to make me believe that she deserves to be up there.
Not afraid to be proven wrong I still say it is a man’s competition and with the emergence of 19 year old US export Ethan outta Illinois and the highly strung 16 year old Curtis who I wanted to put in time out for his cheek I think a man it will be.
BootCamp here we come!
Melanie Cornish.
xx
X Factor Blog Week Four September 14, 2009
Posted by Ruth in : Music, TV , add a commentOk so I have decided that Louis Walsh is really trying to play his cool card this series. We have noticed his dapper fashion change up and of course there was the shades scene week before last where he looked as though he was mimicking a scene from Top Gun, but Saturday night, oh crikey?
Louis caught me totally off guard when he called Dannii Minogue, not Dannii, not Kylie, not Danielle…but D. How hip is that Irish man? Obviously hip enough to be presented with a tie from ‘Bag Lady’ Carla. You couldn’t help feeling Louis’ obvious obligation to nod along with her attempt at If You Don’t Know Me By Now, which would probably turn Mick Hucknall’s mass of red curls grey if he was to be exposed to the painful audition, which seemed to go on and on forever. Never wanted to see Simon’s hand go up so much in my life.
Needless to say Carla didn’t make it through but at least she walked away with a kiss from Mr. Walsh, and she wasn’t the only reject last night to walk away with some affection from the fierce foursome. Poor lil Brum girl Demi got a hug from ‘our’ Cheryl after she was voted off. How cute was she? But like she said herself, she didn’t want to go through on her cuteness…just that comment alone made me want her to get a shot at boot camp, but alas it wasn’t meant to be.
Of course, I keep saying this is a year for the boys and looking at Essex geezer Olly, I think I might be right. He had my vote when the first few bars of Stevie Wonder’s Superstition blasted out. Love, love, love that song and only a true singer or performer is going to even attempt that track and obviously that is exactly what Olly is.
Hard to ignore Simon’s apparent look of awe and the way this ‘ordinary lad’ from Essex had Scary Judge Cowell repeating his words. “I really, really like you” said Simon followed by “You are very, very cool.” Something was on point for Monsieur Cowell after that performance it appears. Could it be that Olly has the full package? Well the audience seemed to think so.
But even though I am convinced it is a guy who will be crowned King of Talent this year, these young girls getting up on stage and singing are nothing to be ignored. Shanna Goodhead was, as ‘our’ Cheryl put it, nothing but ‘natural raw talent’ (wish the directors would give her some different descriptive words to work with as raw talent is becoming to the X-Factor what bling is to Hip-Hop…overused) The young Eastender has a huge future ahead of her but like Simon Says.. will her self-belief get the better of her? I think after she watches her performance back she will be more than capable of taking a serious shot at the coveted award.
I can’t lie mind you when I switched the show on and saw that Scottish lady with her dog on stage, I thought I had tuned into Crufts. Did I hear correctly that she said she was a nurse? A nurse with a singing dog, sounds like a fantasy that JK Rowling might be able to write about and make money from, but X-Factor worthy? Definitely not.
And what was up with the walking Xmas present, Gordon? He was there wrapped up in foil and I couldn’t help but think that ITV should give him a job in Corrie helping out Eileen’s fella. What possesses these people?
Seriously, to all my family and friends who read this, if I ever, EVER get to that point where I want to share my Beyonce moves with the population of the country…section me. You have my permission, get that straight jacket out and use it.
Last week of the auditions coming up on Saturday kids…wonder what surprises are still in store for us addicts? We shall just have to wait and see.
Melanie Cornish
X Factor Blog: Week One August 24, 2009
Posted by Melanie in : TV , 7commentsWell the 2009 count down to Xmas has begun now that the X Factor is well and truly underway. What a night, what a night. First off if you are offended by my comments please remember this blog is a matter of opinion…my opinion, but if you want your say, then get to typing in the comments section!
What is said is of no reflection on FemaleFirst.co.uk so please don’t be nagging my relevant editors and bosses about my opinions as that’s what the comments are for…I will respond to one and all if it is worthy of a response. 
First off, have to shout out Dannii Minogue who finally looks like she has landed in the 21st century with her new ‘do’. The addition of ‘our’ Cheryl last year has obviously encouraged the less fortunate Minogue sister to step her game up and sit her ass down in the chair to get those locks chopped. Liking it though Dannii, liking it a lot.
But the addition of the studio audience during the auditions has yet to win me over I have to admit; especially when they aren’t necessarily behaving how you would expect. I mean come on, had some of those acts been performing at the Apollo, they would have been booed off the stage within seconds.
But obviously some sort of mass pinky swear had been carried out, just to avoid hurting anyone’s feelings, on entering the venues. Well either that or they are cast offs from previous shows who know exactly what rejections feels like. But all jokes aside that audience was just verging on the boundaries of being ‘TOO’ nice. There were folks up on that stage that had the potential to make me want to gouge out my eyes and feed them to my friends dog who I am looking after and who even ran for cover at one point. All for audience participation here as long as they, like Simon Cowell, ‘keep it real.’
Although you had to love the reaction that the first lambs to the slaughter had (the sister on the right from Dream Girls) when she realized she was about to sing (can we call it that?) to a couple of thousand folks. She turned positively puce and I thought someone was going to enter stage left with a bucket.
But the two models from Lithuania (they need to get a Timotei commercial pronto btw) along with the infamous duo Sister Act, (pleased to see their father has given up the idea of being the Northern version of Dolce and Gabbana) brought me to the foregone conclusion that this year is one for the boys.
Even with the cutesy Essex girl and the leather clad biker girl, Katie, it was the lads that excelled and rightly so last night. Whether we were blown away by their talent or just a bit weirded out by their fake American accents and their obsession with ‘our’ Cheryl (John Edward and Kyle Campbell respectively) the boys were on fire last night.
Newcastle, in dire need of something to focus its attention after the Toon Army lost its premier league spot were represented by the darling Joe McKeldry. Do we think he has the potential to bring the sunshine back to the city? ‘Way Aye’ I say… Echoing the sentiments of ‘our’ Cheryl, but of course he faces extremely tough competition from the current day Mr. Chips, Reading’s very own heartthrob Danyl.
Do I even need to make a comment here? Me thinks not, incredible to see Mr. Cowell leading the standing ovation for his rendition of the Joe Cocker classic, Get By, but not surprising. That brown-eyed primary schoolteacher might just have the vote of the nation on his side after that performance. I am just hoping he managed to grab a few minutes back stage with the Catherine Tate meets Harry Enfield ensemble of Triple Trouble. If anyone was in dire need of educating it was those three.
Tell me how can you go on stage promoting positivity amongst our youth and how teenagers should be seen in a less negative light and then act like a complete tosser when you get zeroed out of the competition and throw your mic on the ground when exiting stage left? I mean come on…’Simon Cowell needs to sleep with one eye open’, with the security Simon has I doubt anyone in Cowell’s Casa will be missing out on a wink of beauty sleep worrying about those threats.
Melanie Cornish
Ruth’s Monday Moan July 6, 2009
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Looks like Cheryl Cole could be making a name for herself in the US as she was so successful in the UK series of X Factor that Simon (Mr Nasty) Cowell want‘s to take her to the States! We‘ll miss her lots!
Our song of the week this week is 21 Guns by Green Day. I‘ve always had a bit of a thing for Billie Joe Armstrong, and this track proves that sometimes things do get better with age. Yummy.
We have a hot video of Steve Appleton bringing his Dirty Funk to FemaleFirst as he performs this summer friendly track in our office! I think I need fanning down after gazing upon his pretty face!
Ruth’s Tuesday Tackle June 16, 2009
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Victoria Beckham’s singing and modelling career might have to be put on standby as reports emerge that she and hubby David are trying for baby number four. If you’re too tired tho Vicks, send David over and I’ll help him get those goldenballs in shape…
I think that Pete Doherty could call jail his second home after he was arrested once again this weekend… and if (like me) you were hoping Pete has cleaned up his act, I’m afraid you’re set to be disappointed, as the cops also found 02oz (0.6g) of heroin, worth £35, in his car, and £300’s worth at his house. Oops!
Peter Andre might have kept a dignified silence over his split from glamour girl Katie Price, but it seems the gloves have finally come off in a new song aimed at his ex.
Cheryl Cole seems to have let success go to her head after telling her management that she doesn’t want her solo music career to “flop” like that of Victoria Beckham.
Check out all the action and pictures from this years Download Festival 2009 for interviews, photo’s and reviews
It doesn’t seem two minutes since we were talking about the Cannes Film Festival and now it’s Edinburgh’s turn to showcase some of the best cinema from around the globe. The festival grows in stature every year and it’s Sam Mendes’ movie Away We Go that kicks off the event this year, so take a look at some of the must see movies at the Edinburgh International Film Festival for 2009.
Finally, if you’re a fan of Big Brother you can find all the gossip from the housemates locked inside Big Brother 10 on FemaleFirst – and trust me, we tell you how it really is.
Ruth xx
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