The Cookout
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The Cookout
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLance Rivera
Screenplay byRamsey Gbelawoe
Jeffrey Brian Holmes
Story byQueen Latifah
Shakim Compere
Mikey Martin
Produced byShakim Compere
Queen Latifah
StarringJa Rule
Tim Meadows
Jenifer Lewis
Storm P.
Meagan Good
Jonathan Silverman
Farrah Fawcett
Frankie Faison
Eve
Danny Glover
Queen Latifah
CinematographyTom Houghton
Edited byPatricia Bowers
Jeff McEvoy
Music byCamara Kambon
Production
companies
Distributed byLions Gate Films
Release date
  • September 3, 2004 (2004-09-03)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$16 million[2]
Box office$12 million[3]

The Cookout is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Lance Rivera, written by Ramsay Gbelawoe & Jeffrey Brian Holmes, and story by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, and Mikey Martin. The film introduces Quran Pender (credited as "Storm P") as Todd Anderson and stars Ja Rule, Tim Meadows, Jenifer Lewis, Meagan Good, Jonathan Silverman, Farrah Fawcett, Frankie Faison, Eve, Danny Glover, and a special appearance by Latifah. It tells the story of a basketball player who has joined the New Jersey Nets which his parents celebrate with a family cookout at his new home while a former classmate comes up with a devious plot.

This was the last film for both Carl Wright and Farrah Fawcett before their respective deaths in 2007 and 2009. The film was met with negative reviews.

In 2011, there was a sequel called The Cookout 2.

Plot

[edit]

Todd Andersen (Quran Pender) has just signed a 5-year/$30 million contract with his hometown basketball team the New Jersey Nets. He purchases many new luxuries for himself and his family including a new house in a well-established, high-class neighborhood called Garden Ridges Estates for him and his gold-digging girlfriend Brittany (Meagan Good).

Keeping with family tradition, Todd and his parents Em and JoJo (Jenifer Lewis and Frankie Faison) decide to host a regular family cookout in his new place. He does not plan for it to clash with an important business meeting for an endorsement deal which his sports agent Wes (Jonathan Silverman) arranges with Stone Mountain Phones representative Miss Peters (Marci Reed).

The meeting is scheduled to take place in the morning while the guests are to arrive in the afternoon. One by one, members of Todd's eccentric family like stoner cousins Willie and Nelson (Jerod Mixon and Jamal Mixon), country cousins Jerome and Jasper (Shawn Andrew and Godfrey), wannabe lawyer Uncle Leroy (Tim Meadows), Todd's grandfather (Carl Wright), cousin Little Dee (Denee Busby) and her kids, and Em's sister Nettie (Rita Owens) alongside her husband Frank (Reg E. Cathey) and pre-med intellectual son Jamal (Kevin Phillps) begin to arrive before the afternoon disrupting his business interview. As Em keeps Brittany busy with a ham-related errand, neighbors Judge Crowley (Danny Glover) and his wife Eileen (Farrah Fawcett) are drawn to the cookout.

Meanwhile, local hood Bling Bling (Ja Rule) is jealous that his former classmate Todd has made it with his basketball contract, especially after being insulted and embarrassed in front of the neighborhood when Todd gave him a nod earlier when out with Jamal. He and his friend Wheezer (Ruperto Vanderpool) plan to get many pairs of sneakers signed by the upcoming star to sell on eBay and become rich. Whilst on their way to Todd's new house, they crash their car due to Wheezer, hitch a ride with a manure salesman (Vincent Pastore), and then try to steal a new Mercedes from a market parking lot, not realizing the car belongs to Brittany. After finding out, they hold her at gunpoint and force her to drive them to Todd's house.

As time goes on, Todd starts to become mainly concerned about his image as his family's antics begin making a poor impression on his neighbors, especially after Garden Ridges' security guard Mildred Smith (Queen Latifah) visits with a list of both their complaints and rules violations committed by his family. Eventually, Todd snaps and yells at everyone to leave.

Soon after, Todd's childhood friend Becky (Eve) arrives. Nettie talks to Em about their rivalry and Jamal not having plans to do basketball like Todd. Em encourages Nettie to be proud of Jamal's accomplishments in life no matter what they are. After a talk with Becky, Todd apologizes to his mother for losing his temper. She forgives him after settling her differences with Nettie and the departure of the non-relatives.

When Bling Bling and Wheezer invade the cookout to get Todd's autograph on the sneakers, the ensuing chaos makes Todd realize how much he needs his family. Bling Bling and Wheezer are defeated by Mildred, Jerome, and Jasper and are arrested by the police.

Todd then breaks up with Brittany after realizing her gold-digging ways and inability to connect with him and his family and starts dating Becky as DJ Enuff performs at the party. Todd is then shocked when Miss Peters, impressed by his family's unconditional love for him and each other, accepts him for the sponsorship deal as she makes out with Wes.

A postscript reveals that Todd scored 26 points in his debut in the New Jersey Nets and he and his fiancé Becky use the car bed he originally slept in during his childhood. Jamal completed med school and broke up with Brittany three times. Little Dee finally got a father figure for her kids and moved in next to Todd. Leroy failed his bar exam for the 16th time and his golf ball conspiracy book White Balls & White Devils was a New Jersey bestseller. Mildred left Garden Ridges and became a cop who gained a record of different tickets written out with the Andersons throwing a cookout in her honor.

Cast

[edit]
  • Quran "Storm P" Pender as Todd Andersen, a basketball player who joins the New Jersey Nets.
    • Otis Best as Young Todd
  • Ja Rule as Percival "Bling Bling" Ashmokeem, a rival of Todd who used to pick on him when he was a child. When his last name is mispronounced as "Assmackey", Bling Bling corrects it by stating that it's a West African pronunciation.
    • Ali Wright as Young Bling Bling
  • Tim Meadows as Leroy, the uncle of Todd and a wannabe lawyer who has failed his bar exam 15 times.
  • Jenifer Lewis as Emma "Lady Em" Andersen, the mother of Todd.
  • Meagan Good as Brittany, the gold-digging girlfriend of Todd who Lady Em disapproves of.
  • Jonathan Silverman as Wes Riley, Todd's sports agent.
  • Farrah Fawcett as Eileen Crowley, an inhabitant of Garden Ridges Estates and the neighbor of Todd.
  • Frankie Faison as JoJo Andersen, the father of Todd.
  • Eve as Becky Cruz, a childhood friend of Todd.
    • Channelle Nazaire as Young Becky
  • Danny Glover as Halstead Crowley, a judge who is the husband of Mrs. Crowley.
  • Queen Latifah as Mildred Smith, a security guard at Garden Ridges Estates. Her name wasn't revealed until the postscript.
  • Ruperto Vanderpool as Wheezer, the clumsy friend of Bling Bling who used to pick on Todd when he was a child.
    • Rodney Henry as Young Wheezer
  • Vincent Pastore as Poo Salesman, a man who collects and sells horse manure.
  • Roberto Roman as Danny
  • Carl Wright as Grandpa, the unnamed grandfather of Todd who is often seen with a wooden baseball bat.
  • Reg E. Cathey as Frank Washington, the maternal uncle of Todd.
  • Rita Owens as Nettie Washington, the maternal aunt of Todd and sister of Lady Em.
  • Kevin Phillips as Jamal Washington, the son of Frank and Nettie and maternal cousin of Todd who wants to become a doctor instead of a basketball player like Nettie wanted.
  • Gerry Bamman as Jeeves, a butler who Todd gets for his parents.
  • Marci Reed as Miss Peters, the representative of Stone Mountain Phones.
  • Denee Busby as Little Dee, the cousin of Todd who is looking for a father figure for her kids and also disapproves of Brittany.
  • Divine Compere as D.J., the daughter of Little Dee.
  • Hasani Houston as Sonny Ray, the son of Little Dee through a man named Marquis Fontaineau.
  • Julian Douglas and Mehki Clayton-Smith as Little Ray, the two-year-old son of Little Dee.
  • Jerod Mixon as Willie, the pot-smoking cousin of Todd.
  • Jamal Mixon as Nelson, the pot-smoking brother of Willie and the cousin of Todd.
  • Thomas Jane O'Leary as A.C. Charles, a Sports Time reporter who interviews Todd, Lady Em, and JoJo.
  • Wendy Williams as Piers Gabriel, a Sports Time reporter who interviews Todd, Lady Em, and JoJo.
  • Shawn Andrew as Jerome, the country cousin of Todd.
  • Godfrey as Jasper, the country cousin of Todd.
  • Lance Spellerberg as Sven, a master chef from Prague who is hired by Brittany to cook brunch for Miss Peters.
  • Jesse May as Olivier, the assistant of Sven.
  • Peggy Cosgrove as Mrs. Atwater
  • Walter Simpson III as A.J.
  • Wilhelm Lewis as Wayne
  • Antonio Walker as Young Thug
  • Deep Katdare as a clerk who Bling Bling and Wheezy rob.
  • William Stone Mahoney as Commissioner
  • Sandra Mills Scott as Nurse
  • Roxy Noffz as Cookie Girl, a girl scout who is denied entry by the security guard who does buy the cookies from her.
  • Marc Plastrik as the unnamed chief of police who compliments Mildred's heroic actions.
  • Alex Avant as an unnamed police officer who assists in the arrest of Bling Bling and Wheezy.
  • DJ Enuff as himself, he performs at the cookout.
  • Marv Albert as himself, he commentates on the draft picks that Todd is a part of.
  • Elton Brand as himself
  • Mark Cuban as himself, he appears during the draft picks that Todd is a part of.
  • Baron Davis as himself, he appears during the draft picks that Todd is a part of.

Box office

[edit]

The film opened on 1,303 screens, and opened at #8 in the box office with a gross of $5.1 million. After seven weeks, it ended with a domestic gross of $11.8 million and made $195,051 from foreign countries, for a worldwide total of $12 million against a budget of $16 million, becoming a box-office bomb.[3]

Reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 5% of 41 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "Good-natured but prepared with an absence of craft, The Cookout is an unappetizing collection of warmed-over jokes."[4]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 15 out of 100, based on 14 critics, indicating "overwhelming dislike".[5]

Sequel

[edit]

On September 3, 2011, a sequel, The Cookout 2 premiered on BET. Quran Pender, Ja Rule, Frankie Faison, Rita Owens, and Denee Busby were the only cast members to reprise their roles. Despite the title, the plot itself is not about a cookout at all with the cookout occurring earlier in the film. Talk show host Wendy Williams had a brief cameo as reporter Piers Gabriel in the original. In the sequel, she makes a special guest appearance as herself hearing about Todd's experiences in the film on her talk show. Charlie Murphy co-stars in the film as Coach Ashmokeem, the brother of Bling Bling (Rule). The rest of the principal cast consists of Freez Luv, Faizon Love, Big Boi, Jalen Rose, Michael K. Williams, Fat Joe, Jay Pharoah, Vivica A. Fox, and Mike Tyson.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Cookout is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Lance Rivera.[1] The story centers on Todd Anderson, a promising college basketball player played by Quran Pender (credited as Storm P), who signs a $30 million contract with the New Jersey Nets and relocates to a wealthy suburban neighborhood, where he hosts a traditional family barbecue that brings together his boisterous relatives from the old neighborhood and highlights cultural clashes with his new environment.[1] The screenplay is credited to Laurie B. Turner, Ramsey Gbelawoe, and Jeffrey Brian Holmes, based on a story by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, and Darryl French.[2] The film features a prominent ensemble cast, including Storm P, Queen Latifah, Danny Glover, Jenifer Lewis, Tim Meadows, Ja Rule, Eve, Meagan Good, and Farrah Fawcett.[2] Produced by Flavor Unit Entertainment, Capital Arts Entertainment, and Cookout Productions, with Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere serving as key producers, The Cookout was distributed by Lionsgate Films and released theatrically on September 3, 2004.[3] It had a production budget of $16 million and grossed $11.8 million at the domestic box office, with an opening weekend of $5.6 million from 1,254 theaters.[4][5] The movie explores themes of family, class differences, and staying true to one's roots through humor, drawing on urban comedy tropes and featuring musical elements tied to Queen Latifah's involvement as both actress and producer.[6]

Story and cast

Plot

Todd Anderson, a talented college basketball player, is selected as the number one overall pick in the 2003 NBA draft by the New Jersey Nets and signs a lucrative $30 million contract.[7][8] With his sudden wealth, he purchases a sprawling mansion in the affluent Short Hills neighborhood of New Jersey, moving away from his modest urban roots.[9][10] Determined to stay grounded and honor his background, Todd decides to host the annual family cookout at his new home, inviting his extended family and old friends from the neighborhood.[8][11] The event quickly descends into chaos as the lively, eccentric relatives arrive en masse, clashing with Todd's upscale surroundings and his materialistic girlfriend Brittany, who accompanies him.[11][12] Todd's mother, Lady Em, disapproves of Brittany's gold-digging ways and actively schemes to push Todd toward reuniting with his childhood sweetheart, Becky, while organizing the festivities with overbearing enthusiasm.[12][10] Amid the cookout's pandemonium, family members engage in various antics: Uncle Ash dispenses folksy wisdom and comic advice to the group; Uncle Leroy, the aspiring lawyer, bungles a legal consultation for a relative, leading to humorous mishaps; and other kin, including rambunctious cousins, add to the disorder by freeloading and causing neighborhood complaints from Judge Crowley and his wife.[13][11] Meanwhile, Todd juggles the distractions while negotiating a major cell phone endorsement deal over the phone, striving to maintain his sophisticated image.[13][12] Complicating matters, a pair of opportunistic women posing as security guards infiltrate the event with intentions to rob the house.[13] One of the women unexpectedly develops feelings for a family member, creating tension within their scheme.[13] As the intruders escalate their plan during the height of the cookout, holding some attendees at gunpoint, the family's collective resourcefulness shines through: armed cousins and a vigilant security guard intervene, leading to a frantic confrontation where one guard crashes through a window to halt the crime.[11][13] In the climax, the unified family thwarts the robbery through coordinated action and sheer tenacity, subduing the perpetrators and preventing any major loss.[11][13] The ordeal reinforces Todd's appreciation for his familial bonds over material success, culminating in him choosing Becky and committing to his roots as the cookout concludes on a note of triumphant togetherness.[11][12]

Cast

The principal cast of The Cookout features Quran Pender (credited as Storm P) as Todd Anderson, the newly drafted NBA player whose sudden wealth prompts a family cookout at his mansion.[1] Ja Rule portrays Bling Bling, Todd's loyal but ostentatious best friend who revels in the newfound affluence.[1] Jenifer Lewis plays Lady Em, Todd's outspoken and protective mother who organizes the event to keep the family grounded.[1] Tim Meadows appears as Leroy, Todd's bumbling uncle aspiring to legal success despite repeated failures.[1] Supporting roles include Danny Glover as Judge Crowley, the eccentric neighbor and husband to Mrs. Crowley.[14] Farrah Fawcett as Mrs. Crowley (also known as Eileen Crowley), the snobbish wife drawn into the family chaos.[15] Meagan Good as Brittany, Todd's materialistic girlfriend.[16] Eve as Becky, one of Todd's childhood friends attending the gathering.[17] Queen Latifah in a cameo as the no-nonsense security guard at Todd's gated community.[18] Additional supporting cast members are Frankie Faison as JoJo Anderson, Todd's father;[19] Jonathan Silverman as Wes, Todd's slick sports agent;[1] Reg E. Cathey as Frank Washington, a family elder;[16] Kevin Phillips as Jamal Washington;[16] Carl Wright as Grandpa, the wise family patriarch; and Vincent Pastore as the Poo Salesman, a comedic vendor.[16] Mark Cuban makes a brief appearance as himself, the Dallas Mavericks owner.[16]

Production

Development

The development of The Cookout originated from a story concept co-created by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, and Darryl French, under the banner of their production company, Flavor Unit Entertainment, which aimed to produce films rooted in hip-hop culture and family dynamics.[6] Flavor Unit, known for blending urban storytelling with comedic elements, partnered with Lions Gate Films to bring the project to fruition, emphasizing a low-stakes ensemble comedy that highlighted class contrasts within African American communities.[6] The screenplay was penned by Laurie B. Turner, Ramsey Gbelawoe, and Jeffrey Brian Holmes, expanding on the initial story to incorporate satirical takes on urban family gatherings and newfound wealth, while maintaining a focus on relatable humor without delving into heavy drama.[6] Key creative decisions centered on infusing the film with hip-hop aesthetics, leading to the selection of Lance Rivera for his directorial debut; Rivera, a seasoned music video director with a background in the genre, was chosen to capture the vibrant, rhythmic energy aligning with Flavor Unit's ethos and the involvement of hip-hop artists like Ja Rule and Queen Latifah in the cast.[20][21] The project secured a production budget of $16 million, primarily funded by Lions Gate Films in association with Flavor Unit, allowing for a modest scale that prioritized character-driven comedy over high-production spectacle.[5] This financial structure reflected the film's intent as an accessible urban comedy, greenlit to capitalize on the growing market for hip-hop-infused family films in the early 2000s.[6]

Filming

Principal photography for The Cookout began on September 8, 2003, and wrapped within two months, with the entire production taking place in New Jersey to leverage the state's authentic East Coast urban environments and the local roots of key cast members like Queen Latifah and Storm P. The choice of New Jersey allowed for a grounded depiction of the film's family-centric narrative, emphasizing real-world suburban and neighborhood vibes over fabricated sets.[22][23] Filming centered on Bernardsville, New Jersey, where key sequences, including the central mansion cookout scenes, were shot at a luxurious $3.5 million, 8,500-square-foot manor on nearly 10 acres, which doubled as both the exterior of a country club and the protagonist's new home interior. Additional exteriors for neighborhood and family home settings were captured in Newark and surrounding areas, providing the urban contrast essential to the story's cultural clashes. Production teams took care to protect the location's hardwood floors with paper coverings during indoor shoots, while local businesses, such as the Coffee Shop on Olcott Square, supported logistics by accommodating the crew.[23][24] The shoot faced logistical challenges, particularly in coordinating large ensemble scenes for the chaotic cookout gathering, which involved over 50 extras to simulate a lively family reunion. Outdoor sequences were disrupted by frequent overhead commercial airliners, requiring multiple takes to avoid noise interference, and unpredictable weather occasionally delayed filming in the open-air settings. Safety protocols were prioritized during comedic action elements, such as the attempted robbery, to manage stunts involving the ensemble cast without incidents. The production relied heavily on practical effects for the film's humorous chaos, including food fights and chase sequences, eschewing extensive CGI to maintain a raw, authentic feel aligned with director Lance Rivera's vision for grounded comedy.[23]

Music

The music for The Cookout features a compilation soundtrack blending hip-hop and R&B tracks to amplify the film's comedic and cultural elements, particularly evoking the lively atmosphere of family gatherings, alongside an original score by Camara Kambon.[25] Key songs include "Family Reunion" by Noel Gourdin, which sets an upbeat tone; "Express Yourself" by Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band; "Mr. Big Stuff" by Jean Knight; and "Mi Amor Especial" by The Avila Brothers, alongside other selections like tracks by Ja Rule and Eve that connect to their on-screen roles.[25] These licensed pieces, drawn from 1970s soul influences and contemporary hip-hop, underscore moments of humor and familial unity during cookout sequences.[25] The soundtrack was supervised to blend nostalgic classics with modern vibes, fostering the essence of a traditional family reunion. End credits incorporate a mix of these licensed tracks and select original compositions for a celebratory close.[26]

Release

Box office

The Cookout was released theatrically in the United States by Lionsgate on September 3, 2004. It opened in fifth place at the box office, earning $5.6 million from 1,303 theaters during its debut weekend.[4][5] The film ultimately grossed $11.8 million domestically. International earnings were limited, totaling $195,051 across select markets including the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Romania, Egypt, and Russia/CIS, bringing the worldwide total to $12 million.[4] Produced on a $16 million budget, The Cookout underperformed financially at the box office, failing to recoup its costs through theatrical revenues alone. Its strong opening was bolstered by the drawing power of stars like Queen Latifah and Ja Rule, targeting urban audiences, but it experienced an approximately 59% drop in its second weekend to $2.3 million, ranking 13th amid competition from high-profile releases such as Shark Tale.[5][4]

Home media

The DVD release of The Cookout occurred on January 18, 2005, through Lionsgate Home Entertainment, available in both widescreen and full-screen editions.[5] A limited VHS edition was also issued on the same date by the same distributor.[27] The widescreen DVD featured a 1.85:1 anamorphic presentation with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio, English and Spanish subtitles, and a runtime of 97 minutes. Special features included a 23-minute making-of featurette titled "Recipe for the Cookout," a 9-minute cast discussion on "What Makes a Good Cookout," a 5-minute segment on "Streetballin'," another 5-minute cast talk on "Gold Diggers," nine deleted scenes, an introduction by stars Storm P and Jenifer Lewis, a "Joyz of Cookin'" recipe section with character photos, and a family commentary track by Jenifer Lewis and Storm P.[28] Trailers for other Lionsgate films such as Saw and L'il Pimp were also included.[28] No official Blu-ray edition has been released as of 2025. The film became available for digital streaming and purchase on various platforms, including free ad-supported viewing on Tubi and rental/purchase options on Amazon Prime Video.[29][30]

Reception and legacy

Critical response

The Cookout received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, who frequently criticized its reliance on racial stereotypes and predictable, low-effort humor. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a Tomatometer score of 5% based on 41 reviews, with the critics' consensus describing it as "good-natured but prepared with an absence of craft, [an] unappetizing collection of warmed-over jokes."[7] The average rating is not specified, but reviews highlighted the film's crude and uneven comedic elements as major flaws.[31] On Metacritic, The Cookout scored 15 out of 100 based on 14 critic reviews, indicating "overwhelming dislike," with 93% of reviews being negative.[32] Critics panned the weak script and loose plotting, though some noted the energetic performances from the cast, including Danny Glover's portrayal of a neighbor and Jenifer Lewis's comedic role as a family matriarch.[6] In Variety, Todd McCarthy called it a "loosely plotted, uneven farce" that relies on "mild stereotypes" but offers a "broad but affectionate family portrait" blending humor with traditional values.[6] The New York Times' Stephen Holden described it as a "clichéd urban comedy" that is "too well mannered for its own good," lacking the edge of similar films, though he praised the lively cast and Queen Latifah's energetic appearance as a security guard.[33] Audience reception was more mixed, with a 37% score on Rotten Tomatoes from over 5,000 ratings, where viewers appreciated the relatable family dynamics and cultural representation despite the acknowledged flaws.[7] On Metacritic, the user score stands at 5.1 out of 10 based on 8 ratings, reflecting average sentiment.[32] The film's poor critical response contributed to its underperformance at the box office.[6]

Sequel

A sequel to The Cookout, titled The Cookout 2, was released as a BET original television movie on September 3, 2011. Directed by Lance Rivera, the film has a runtime of 75 minutes and serves as a direct-to-TV follow-up without theatrical distribution, emphasizing a comedic tone centered on family dynamics inspired by the original's themes of cookouts and kinship.[34][35][36] The plot shifts to a new story involving Todd Anderson (Quran Pender, reprising his role from the original), a basketball player whose family faces kidnapping and blackmail by the rogue Coach Ashmokeem (Charlie Murphy), a scheming antagonist. Blending thriller elements with comedy, the narrative revolves around the coach's plot to rig a championship game, incorporating familiar cookout gatherings amid the escalating chaos. The screenplay was written by Arkeisha Roberts, marking a departure from the original's writing team.[37][35][38] The cast features several new performers in lead roles, including Big Boi as Peanut, Ambre Anderson as Diamond, Rich Boy, Vivica A. Fox as a messenger, Mike Tyson as a grill operator, and Wendy Williams as herself, alongside returning actors such as Ja Rule reprising Bling Bling and Frankie Faison; notable absences include original leads like Queen Latifah and Tim Meadows. Produced by Flavor Unit Entertainment, the sequel adopts a lighter, more contained approach suited to television, focusing on ensemble humor without the original's broader production scale.[39][40][41][36]

References

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