Jack Klugman

Actor


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his two-and-a-half-hour interview, Jack Klugman (1922-2012) fondly recalls his fifty years in television, including his over 400 appearances on many of the early dramatic live anthology programs, such as Philco Television Playhouse, Kraft Television Theatre (and writing two episodes: "Big Break" and "Code of the Corner" for Kraft), U.S. Steel Hour, and Studio One. He comments on the many directors and writers with whom he's worked, talks about working with Ethel Merman in a stage production of Gypsy, and recalls his role as "Juror #5" in the film version of Twelve Angry Men. He speaks of his invaluable friendship with Tony Randall, and their legacy, TV sitcom The Odd Couple. Klugman discusses his favorite episode of The Odd Couple ("Password"), working with Gary Marshall, and stage performances of The Odd Couple years after the series left the air. He details differences between theater and television and discusses his lead role in the successful series Quincy, M.E. He also openly speaks about his battle against throat cancer. Sunny Parich conducted the interview on May 1, 1998 in New York, NY.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"Everybody wanted to set the world on fire in the 'golden age' of television. Every director, every actor, every writer, wanted to change the world, wanted to teach, had something to say."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Jack Klugman on working with Tony Randall on The Odd Couple
01:09
Jack Klugman on getting asked to play the role of "Oscar" on the TV version of The Odd Couple
02:01
Jack Klugman on his favorite episode of The Odd Couple: "Password" with guest Allen Ludden
01:25
Jack Klugman on his Quincy, M.E. character being two heroes in one
02:13
Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders
04:59
Jack Klugman on working with Ethel Merman in "Gypsy"
01:24
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences; on growing up in South Philadelphia; on how his love of muckrakers lead to his role on Quincy, M.E.; on loving to gamble; on being drafted in War World II; on his interest in acting; on his first acting experiences; on his classmates in school
On moving to New York; on being roommates with Charles Bronson and working for Ed McMahon's father; on off-Broadway work; on Ethel Winant casting him in a show; on Summer Stock productions; on being a stage manager for productions; on his Broadway debut in "Mr. Roberts"; on his impression of early television; on an early TV production with John Daly; on great advice from director Robert Mulligan

Chapter 2

On differences between theater and television; on working with director Robert Mulligan; on how he got jobs in early television; on working on anthology drama Studio One; on directors he worked with in live television - Sidney Lumet, George Roy Hill, John Frankenheimer, Fielder Cook, Delbert Mann; on working with Ethel Merman in Gypsy
On working with on Martin Ritt; on film actors being scared of television; on his role in Twelve Angry Men; on writing "Big Break" and "Code of the Corner" for Kraft Television Theatre; on writers Paddy Chayefsky and Bob Fosse

Chapter 3

On co-starring in the Producers' Showcase production of "The Petrified Forest" with Humphrey Bogart; on Fred Coe; on production moving from New York to LA; on Playhouse 90, which originated in LA; on how tape affected live television
On commuting to LA from NY; on appearing on four episodes of The Twilight Zone; on Alex Segal thinking of him for comedic roles; on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders; on the Hollywood Blacklist

Chapter 4

On the Hollywood Blacklist; on his starring role in Harris Against the World; on his first appearance in the Broadway play The Odd Couple - replacing Walter Matthau; on getting cast as "Oscar" in the stage play and TV versions of The Odd Couple; on working with Tony Randall and Garry Marshall
On writers Jerry Belson and Harvey Miller; on directors Jerry Paris and Jay Sandrich; on the TV debut of The Odd Couple on September 24, 1970 and reaction to the show; on network concerns that The Odd Couple was about a homosexual couple; on The Odd Couple going from single to multicamera and getting a live audience; on working with Penny Marshall and guest stars on The Odd Couple

Chapter 5

On his favorite episode of The Odd Couple:"Password"; on The Odd Couple's poor ratings and the show ending in 1975
On starring in Quincy, M.E.; on his brother beginning to write for Quincy, M.E.
On his illness; on Tony Randall approaching him about a one-performance revival of The Odd Couple; on "The Sunshine Boys"; on how important it is for him to continue working; on his advice to aspiring actors; on his thoughts on "the Golden Age of television"; on his contribution to television; on how he would like to be remembered
Shows

Actors Studio

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Jack Klugman on director Yul Brynner directing him on Actors Studio
01:36

Defenders, The

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Jack Klugman on The Defenders
01:05
Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders
05:30
Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders
00:28

Harris Against the World

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Jack Klugman on his starring role in Harris Against the World
02:22

Kraft Television Theatre

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Jack Klugman on writing "Big Break" for Kraft Television Theatre
02:46
Jack Klugman on writing "Code of the Corner" for Kraft Television Theatre
00:57

Mister Peepers

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Jack Klugman on Mr. Peepers
00:36

Naked City

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Jack Klugman on working on Naked City
01:05

Odd Couple, The (1970-75)

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Jack Klugman on getting asked to play the role of "Oscar" on the TV version of The Odd Couple; on what he brought to his character and the chemistry between him and Tony Randall
11:19
Jack Klugman on the TV debut of The Odd Couple on September 24, 1970 and reaction to the show; on regulars and guest stars
06:14
Jack Klugman on his first appearance in the Broadway play of The Odd Couple - replacing Walter Matthau
03:52
Jack Klugman on his favorite episode of The Odd Couple: "Password" with guest Allen Ludden; on The Odd Couple's poor ratings and the show ending in 1975
03:49

Playhouse 90

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Jack Klugman on a production of Playhouse 90
01:11
Jack Klugman on Playhouse 90
02:22
Jack Klugman on a production of Playhouse 90 with Art Carney and working with Rod Serling
01:20

Producers' Showcase

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Jack Klugman on co-starring in the Producers' Showcase production of "The Petrified Forest" with Humphrey Bogart (airdate: May 30, 1955)
06:36

Quincy, M.E.

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Jack Klugman on how his love of muckrakers lead to his role on Quincy, M.E.
00:39
Jack Klugman on starring in Quincy, M.E.; on the show's writers
10:20

Studio One

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Jack Klugman on working on Studio One
01:39

Twilight Zone, The

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Jack Klugman on appearing on four episodes of The Twilight Zone
03:01
Topics

Anthology Drama

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Jack Klugman on co-starring in the Producers' Showcase production of "The Petrified Forest" with Humphrey Bogart (airdate: May 30, 1955)
06:36

Characters & Catchphrases

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Jack Klugman on the role of "Oscar" on The Odd Couple
01:14
Jack Klugman on his Quincy, M.E. character being two heroes in one
02:13

Emmy Awards

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Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders and winning an Emmy for the role
02:33

Historic Events and Social Change

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Jack Klugman on being drafted in War World II
01:13

Hollywood Blacklist

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Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders and winning an Emmy for the role
04:59
Jack Klugman on the Hollywood Blacklist
03:02
Jack Klugman on his recollections about the Hollywood Blacklist
04:34

Industry Crossroads

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Jack Klugman on the Hollywood Blacklist
03:02
Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders and winning an Emmy for the role
02:33

LGBTQIA+

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Jack Klugman on network concerns that The Odd Couple was about a gay couple
00:36

Memorable Moments on Television

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Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders and winning an Emmy for the role
04:59

Pop Culture

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Jack Klugman on his Quincy, M.E. character being two heroes in one
02:13

TV's Golden Age (1940s & '50s)

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Jack Klugman on co-starring in the Producers' Showcase production of "The Petrified Forest" with Humphrey Bogart (airdate: May 30, 1955)
06:36
Jack Klugman on the Golden Age of Television
01:48

Technological Innovation

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Jack Klugman on how tape affected live television
01:33
Jack Klugman on The Odd Couple going from single to multicamera and getting a live audience
01:48

Television Industry

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Jack Klugman on the Hollywood Blacklist
03:02
Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders and winning an Emmy for the role
02:33

War

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Jack Klugman on being drafted in War World II
01:13

World War II

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Jack Klugman on being drafted in War World II
01:13
Professions

Actor

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Jack Klugman on his desire to go to drama school in Pittsburgh and his first acting experiences
02:54
Jack Klugman on being scared in front of the camera
01:01
Jack Klugman on the craft of acting and on the differences between performing on stage and in front of a camera
04:01

Performers

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Jack Klugman on his desire to go to drama school in Pittsburgh and his first acting experiences
02:54
Jack Klugman on being scared in front of the camera
01:01
Jack Klugman on the craft of acting and on the differences between performing on stage and in front of a camera
04:01
Genres

Classic Anthology Series

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Jack Klugman on writing "Code of the Corner for Kraft Television Theatre
00:57
Jack Klugman on writing "Big Break" for Kraft Television Theatre
00:56
Jack Klugman on co-starring in the Producers' Showcase production of "The Petrified Forest" with Humphrey Bogart (airdate: May 30, 1955)
06:36

Comedy Series

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Jack Klugman on starring with Tony Randall in the TV version of The Odd Couple
17:33
On his favorite episode of The Odd Couple: "Password," and on The Odd Couple's poor ratings
03:49

Drama Series

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Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders
05:30
People

Lauren Bacall

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Jack Klugman on co-starring in the Producers' Showcase production of "The Petrified Forest" with Humphrey Bogart (airdate: May 30, 1955)
06:36

Jerry Belson

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Jack Klugman on The Odd Couple writers Jerry Belson and Harvey Miller
02:31

Humphrey Bogart

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Jack Klugman on co-starring in the Producers' Showcase production of "The Petrified Forest" with Humphrey Bogart (airdate: May 30, 1955)
06:36

Paul Bogart

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Jack Klugman on writing "Big Break" for Kraft Television Theatre
00:56

Herbert Brodkin

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Jack Klugman on producer Herbert Brodkin
01:32

Charles Bronson

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Jack Klugman on being roommates with Charles Bronson and working for Ed McMahon's father
02:03
Jack Klugman on Charles Bronson training him for his Broadway debut in "Mr. Roberts"
02:53

Yul Brynner

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Jack Klugman on director Yul Brynner directing him on Actors Studio
01:36

Paddy Chayefsky

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Jack Klugman on writer Paddy Chayefsky
01:03

Dick Clark

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Jack Klugman on Dick Clark guest starring on The Odd Couple
00:15

Lee J. Cobb

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Jack Klugman on acting with Lee Cobb
00:26
Jack Klugman on Twelve Angry Men
02:47

Fred Coe

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Jack Klugman on producer Fred Coe
02:10

Fielder Cook

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Jack Klugman on director Fielder Cook
01:24

Jackie Cooper

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Jack Klugman on Jackie Cooper being head of Screen Gems
01:50

Howard Cosell

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Jack Klugman on Howard Cosell guest starring on The Odd Couple
00:15

Wally Cox

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Jack Klugman on loving the show Mr. Peepers
00:36

John Daly

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Jack Klugman on an early TV production with John Daly
01:18

Ossie Davis

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Jack Klugman on Ossie Davis
00:17

Peter Falk

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Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders
01:59

Henry Fonda

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Jack Klugman on his Broadway debut in "Mr. Roberts" and playing the second lead with Henry Fonda
02:16

Bob Fosse

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Jack Klugman on writer Bob Fosse
00:43

John Frankenheimer

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Jack Klugman on director John Frankenheimer
01:15

Monty Hall

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Jack Klugman on Monty Hall guest starring on The Odd Couple
00:15

George Roy Hill

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Jack Klugman on working with George Roy Hill
01:32

Ernest Kinoy

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Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders
01:38

Glen A. Larson

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Jack Klugman on his Quincy, M.E. creator Glen Larson
03:07

Allen Ludden

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Jack Klugman on his favorite episode of The Odd Couple: "Password" with guest Allen Ludden
01:25

Sidney Lumet

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Jack Klugman on director Sidney Lumet
01:42

Delbert Mann

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Jack Klugman on director Delbert Mann
00:31

Martin Manulis

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Jack Klugman on working with Martin Manulis and Rod Serling on "The Velvet Alley" on Playhouse 90
01:02

Alex March

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Jack Klugman on director Yul Brynner directing him on Actors Studio
01:36

Nancy Marchand

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Jack Klugman on drama classmate Nancy Marchand
00:32

E. G. Marshall

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Jack Klugman on working with E.G. Marshall on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders
00:31

Penny Marshall

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Jack Klugman on getting asked to play the role of "Oscar" on the TV version of The Odd Couple
01:16
Jack Klugman on working with Penny Marshall on The Odd Couple
00:46

Garry Marshall

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Jack Klugman on getting asked to play the role of "Oscar" on the TV version of The Odd Couple
02:20
Jack Klugman on working with Garry Marshall on the TV version of The Odd Couple
00:50
Jack Klugman on Garry Marshall messing with the network and sending fake scenes for The Odd Couple
00:33

Walter Matthau

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Jack Klugman on writing "Code of the Corner for Kraft Television Theatre
00:57
Jack Klugman on his first appearance in the Broadway play of The Odd Couple - replacing Walter Matthau
03:52

Ed McMahon

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Jack Klugman on being roommates with Charles Bronson and working for Ed McMahon's father
02:03

Ethel Merman

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Jack Klugman on working with Ethel Merman in "Gypsy"
01:24

Arthur Miller

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Jack Klugman on doing Summer Stock
00:46

Harvey Miller

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Jack Klugman on The Odd Couple writers Jerry Belson and Harvey Miller
02:17

Al Molinaro

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Jack Klugman on working with Al Molinaro on The Odd Couple
00:44

Robert Mulligan

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Jack Klugman on great advice from director Robert Mulligan
01:08
Jack Klugman on working with director Robert Mulligan
01:46

Jerry Paris

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Jack Klugman on The Odd Couple director Jerry Parris
00:54

Tony Randall

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Jack Klugman on working with Tony Randall on The Odd Couple
01:09
Jack Klugman on his favorite episode of The Odd Couple: "Password" with guest Allen Ludden
01:25
Jack Klugman on Tony Randall approaching him about a one-performance revival of The Odd Couple
02:31

Ronald Reagan

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Jack Klugman on how his love of muckrakers lead to his role on Quincy, M.E.
00:39

Martin Ritt

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Jack Klugman on Martin Ritt
03:33

Geraldo Rivera

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Jack Klugman on watching Geraldo Rivera nightly
00:14

Reginald Rose

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Jack Klugman on writer Reginald Rose
01:06
Jack Klugman on Twelve Angry Men
02:47

Stuart Rosenberg

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Jack Klugman on "The Blacklist" episode of The Defenders
04:59

Jay Sandrich

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Jack Klugman on The Odd Couple director Jay Sandrich
00:27

Alex Segal

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Jack Klugman on Alex Segal thinking of him for comedic roles
01:03

Rod Serling

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Jack Klugman on working with Martin Manulis and Rod Serling on "The Velvet Alley" on Playhouse 90
01:02
Jack Klugman on appearing on four episodes of The Twilight Zone and working with Rod Serling
04:21

Fred Silverman

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Jack Klugman on Fred Silverman trying to find projects for him
02:13

Neil Simon

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Jack Klugman on his first appearance in the Broadway play of The Odd Couple - replacing Walter Matthau and meeting Neil Simon
02:20
Jack Klugman on not wanting the TV version of The Odd Couple
00:35

Stephen Sondheim

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Jack Klugman on working on "Gypsy"
00:49

Lee Strasberg

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Jack Klugman on taking classes with Lee Strasberg as often as he could
00:26

Betty White

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Jack Klugman on his favorite episode of The Odd Couple: "Password" with guest Allen Ludden
01:25

Ethel Winant

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Jack Klugman on Ethel Winant casting him in a show
00:55
Jack Klugman on getting cast on Playhouse 90
00:36

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