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| {{Cast Data | | {{Cast Data |
| | image= Banzai.jpg | | | image= Banzai.jpg |
| | size= 200px
| | | character= Squad Leader [[Banzai]] |
| | character= Squad Leader {{Callsign|Banzai}} | | | born_month= |
| | series= RDM | | | born_day= |
| | born_month= 01 | | | born_year= |
| | born_day= 26 | | | death_month= |
| | born_year= 1984 | | | death_day= |
| | nationality= CA | | | death_year= |
| | site= http://www.jacobwblair.com | | | nationality= |
| | site archive= Y | |
| | imdb= 2811073 | | | imdb= 2811073 |
| | sortkey= Blair, Jacob
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| }} | | }} |
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| '''Jacob William Blair''' (born January 26, 1984, in [[w:Red Deer, Alberta|Red Deer, Alberta]]) is a Canadian actor who portrays Squad Leader {{Callsign|Banzai}} in "[[Razor]]" and "[[Razor Flashbacks]]."<ref group="external" name="official_jacobwblair_bio_birth_razor">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20170315045810/http://www.jacobwblair.com/?page_id=17|title=About|author=Blair, Jacob|publisher=jacobwblair.com|accessdate=4 July 2026|archive=Y}}</ref><ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_razorflashbacks_banzai_credit">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1336578/characters/nm2811073/#:~:text=Squad%20Leader%20Banzai|title="Battlestar Galactica: Razor Flashbacks" Operation Raptor Talon (TV Episode 2007) - Jacob Blair as Squad Leader Banzai|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> | | '''Jacob Blair''' is the actor who portrays Squad Leader [[Banzai]] in the [[Razor Flashbacks]]. |
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| == Career ==
| | Blair has also been in the [[David Eick]] re-imagining of ''[[w:Bionic Woman|Bionic Woman]]''. |
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| === Training and early roles ===
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| Blair grew up in Red Deer, Alberta, where he attended Hunting Hills High School and was drawn more to hockey and volleyball than to drama.<ref group="commentary" name="calgaryherald_volmers_blair_pinkertons_2015">{{cite news|url=https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/local-arts/red-deer-native-jacob-blair-creates-a-reality-based-cowboy-who-solves-crimes-on-the-pinkertons#:~:text=drawn%20more%20to%20volleyball%20and%20hockey|title=Red Deer native Jacob Blair creates a reality-based cowboy who solves crimes on The Pinkertons|author=Volmers, Eric|publisher=Calgary Herald|date=3 February 2015|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> He graduated from high school in 2002 and enrolled in the commerce program at Red Deer College, having enrolled in drama electives to raise his grade point average before deciding to pursue performing full-time.<ref group="commentary" name="reddeeradvocate_michelin_blair_theatrepivot_2011_p1">{{cite news|title=Blair capitalizing on switch to theatre|author=Michelin, Lana|newspaper=Red Deer Advocate|date=13 December 2011|page=A1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/559953191/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> A friend enrolled in the college's theatre program persuaded him to give acting a try, telling him he could "roll around on the ground and pretend you're a tree" and still pass.<ref group="commentary" name="calgaryherald_volmers_blair_pinkertons_2015" /> He auditioned for the professional theatre training program at [[w:Studio 58|Studio 58]], the conservatory program at [[w:Langara College|Langara College]] in [[w:Vancouver|Vancouver]], [[w:British Columbia|British Columbia]], and was accepted in the spring of 2004 as one of about 35 students chosen from more than 500 applicants nationwide, graduating in 2007.<ref group="external" name="official_jacobwblair_bio_studio58_training">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20170315045810/http://www.jacobwblair.com/?page_id=17|title=About|author=Blair, Jacob|publisher=jacobwblair.com|accessdate=4 July 2026|archive=Y}}</ref><ref group="commentary" name="calgaryherald_volmers_blair_pinkertons_2015" /> He initially expected to land stage work after finishing the program, but television and film roles opened up for him instead, beginning with ''Razor'' and ''[[w:Aliens in America|Aliens in America]]''.<ref group="commentary" name="calgaryherald_volmers_blair_pinkertons_2015" />
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| === Screen debut and early guest roles ===
| | {{DEFAULTSORT:Blair, Jacob}} |
| His first credited role came in 2007, as Squad Leader Banzai in the television movie ''Razor'' and in two entries of the accompanying web series ''Razor Flashbacks'', including the episode "Operation Raptor Talon."<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_razorflashbacks_banzai_credit" /> Later that year, he appeared as "Cute Guy" in a single episode of [[w:NBC|NBC]]'s ''[[w:Bionic Woman (2007 TV series)|Bionic Woman]]'', a series also developed by [[w:David_Eick|David Eick]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_bionicwoman_cuteguy_fullcredits">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0880557/fullcredits/#:~:text=Cute%20Guy|title=Bionic Woman (TV Series 2007) - Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> That same year, Blair landed what a 2011 profile called his first big break, a recurring role as quarterback Dan Archer across four episodes of the [[w:The CW|CW]] comedy ''[[w:Aliens in America|Aliens in America]]'' (2007-2008).<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_aliensinamerica_danarcher_fullcredits">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790603/fullcredits/#:~:text=Dan%20Archer%204%20episodes|title=Aliens in America (TV Series 2007-2008) - Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> He described the part as a dark inversion of his own athletic background, saying he "was a popular quarterback who was actually an evil antagonist."<ref group="commentary" name="reddeeradvocate_michelin_blair_theatrepivot_2011_p2">{{cite news|title=Blair: Not every project has been fulfilling|author=Michelin, Lana|newspaper=Red Deer Advocate|date=13 December 2011|page=A2|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/559953195/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref>
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| Blair continued to build a resume of guest and supporting roles over the following three years, including a single-episode part as "Richard" on ''[[w:The L Word|The L Word]]'' (2008), "Operative #1" in the miniseries ''[[w:The Andromeda Strain (miniseries)|The Andromeda Strain]]'' (2008), "Soldier #2" in ''[[w:The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008 film)|The Day the Earth Stood Still]]'' (2008), and Trooper Jerry in the ''[[w:Fringe (TV series)|Fringe]]'' episode "Johari Window" (2010).<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_fringe_trooperjerry_fullcredits">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1537133/fullcredits/#:~:text=Jacob%20Blair%20Trooper%20Jerry|title="Fringe" Johari Window (TV Episode 2010) - Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> He also played Cpl. Baras across two episodes of ''[[w:Stargate Universe|Stargate Universe]]'', "Resurgence" (2010) and "Deliverance" (2011), and had a single-episode role as a lab technician on ''[[w:V (2009 TV series)|V]]'' (2011).<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_stargateuniverse_corplbaras_fullcredits">{{cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1286039/fullcredits/#:~:text=Jacob%20Blair%20Cpl.%20Baras|title=Stargate Universe (TV Series 2009-2011) - Full cast & crew|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref>
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| === ''Christmas in Canaan'' films ===
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| One of Blair's most prominent early opportunities was the [[w:Hallmark Channel|Hallmark Channel]] film ''Christmas in Canaan'' (2009), in which he played "Older DJ," the son of a Texas farmer and country singer identified in press coverage as Cyrus, growing up on a farm in the early 1970s.<ref group="commentary" name="reddeeradvocate_michelin_blair_theatrepivot_2011_p2" /> The film centered on DJ's friendship with Rodney, a young African-American boy who becomes part of the family, and drew positive audience response for its message of inclusion after being promoted by [[w:Oprah Winfrey|Oprah Winfrey]].<ref group="commentary" name="reddeeradvocate_michelin_blair_theatrepivot_2011_p2" /> Blair reprised the role of DJ in the sequel ''Christmas Comes Home to Canaan'', which aired on Hallmark Channel in the United States on December 17, 2011,<ref group="commentary" name="reddeeradvocate_michelin_blair_theatrepivot_2011_p1" /> and on Canada's [[w:W Network|W Network]] two days later.<ref group="commentary" name="reddeeradvocate_michelin_blair_theatrepivot_2011_p2" /> In the sequel, DJ attempts to run the family farm while his father takes DJ's younger sibling to hospital for treatment.<ref group="commentary" name="reddeeradvocate_michelin_blair_theatrepivot_2011_p2" /> Blair said he would not be surprised if a third installment were eventually made, noting that the first film's sequel had likewise come about unexpectedly.<ref group="commentary" name="reddeeradvocate_michelin_blair_theatrepivot_2011_p2" />
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| === Film work and ''Underworld: Awakening'' ===
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| Between 2010 and 2012, Blair took supporting film roles that included Agent Blair in ''[[w:The A-Team (film)|The A-Team]]'' and a role as a German skier named Gunnar in ''[[w:Hot Tub Time Machine|Hot Tub Time Machine]]'' (2010). The latter part was cut from the theatrical release and appears only among the film's DVD outtakes.<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_ateam_agentblair_character">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0429493/characters/nm2811073/#:~:text=Jacob%20Blair%20as%20Agent%20Blair|title=The A-Team (2010) - Jacob Blair as Agent Blair|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref><ref group="commentary" name="reddeeradvocate_michelin_blair_theatrepivot_2011_p2" /> He also appeared as Park Ranger in the 2011 thriller ''Wrecked'' and had an uncredited part in ''[[w:The Grey (film)|The Grey]]'' (2011) as Cimoski, and in the same period played a supporting role in ''[[w:Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball|Smokin' Aces 2: Assassins' Ball]]'' (2010).<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_fullcredits_2010s_filmroles">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2811073/#:~:text=Underworld%3A%20Awakening|title=Jacob Blair|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> Blair has credited his casting in ''The Grey'' and ''The A-Team'', both directed by [[w:Joe Carnahan|Joe Carnahan]] and filmed in the Vancouver area, as a turning point that came about after Carnahan responded well to his audition tape, saying he was "very fortunate, incredibly blessed and lucky."<ref group="commentary" name="uniter_hinds_blair_carnahan_manitoba_production">{{cite web|url=https://uniter.ca/view/north-by-old-west#:~:text=very%20fortunate%2C%20incredibly%20blessed%20and%20lucky|title=North by old west: The Pinkertons & the state of Manitoba film & television production|author=Hinds, Tony|publisher=The Uniter|date=22 October 2014|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> In 2012, he played Officer Kolb, a human detective, in ''[[w:Underworld: Awakening|Underworld: Awakening]]'', a role that gave him the chance to learn weapon handling for a rookie-cop character caught between vampires and werewolves.<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_underworldawakening_officerkolb_character">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1496025/characters/nm2811073/#:~:text=Jacob%20Blair%20as%20Officer%20Kolb|title=Underworld: Awakening (2012) - Jacob Blair as Officer Kolb|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref><ref group="commentary" name="reddeeradvocate_michelin_blair_theatrepivot_2011_p2" />
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| === The Pinkertons ===
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| In 2014, Blair was cast as William Pinkerton, son of detective agency founder Allan Pinkerton, in the first-run syndicated Canadian series ''[[w:The Pinkertons|The Pinkertons]]'', filmed in and around Grosse Isle, [[w:Manitoba|Manitoba]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_pinkertons_williampinkerton_character">{{cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt4089276/characters/nm2811073/#:~:text=Jacob%20Blair%20as%20William%20Pinkerton|title=Jacob Blair as William Pinkerton|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref><ref group="commentary" name="uniter_hinds_blair_carnahan_manitoba_production" /> He was the last principal cast member hired, joining roughly two weeks before filming began and drawing on Allan Pinkerton's memoirs and case files to shape a character the scripts left largely undefined.<ref group="commentary" name="tveh_david_blair_pinkertons_castingprocess">{{cite web|url=https://www.tv-eh.com/2015/03/20/jacob-blairs-crash-course-on-the-pinkertons/#:~:text=only%20had%20two%20weeks|title=Jacob Blair's crash course on The Pinkertons|author=David, Greg|publisher=TV, eh?|date=20 March 2015|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> Blair described the process as building the character from scratch.<ref group="commentary" name="tveh_david_blair_pinkertons_castingprocess" /> Speaking to the Calgary Herald from the [[w:Winnipeg|Winnipeg]] set, Blair said the writers had deliberately made William an impulsive foil to the analytical detective [[w:Kate Warne|Kate Warne]], comparing the dynamic to the television series ''[[w:Moonlighting (TV series)|Moonlighting]]''.<ref group="commentary" name="calgaryherald_volmers_blair_pinkertons_2015">{{cite news|url=https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/local-arts/red-deer-native-jacob-blair-creates-a-reality-based-cowboy-who-solves-crimes-on-the-pinkertons#:~:text=drawn%20more%20to%20volleyball%20and%20hockey|title=Red Deer native Jacob Blair creates a reality-based cowboy who solves crimes on The Pinkertons|author=Volmers, Eric|publisher=Calgary Herald|date=3 February 2015|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> He noted that although the series took dramatic license, it drew on real Pinkerton case files and occasionally worked in historical figures such as [[w:Jesse James|Jesse James]] and [[w:Edwin Booth|Edwin Booth]], brother of Lincoln assassin [[w:John Wilkes Booth|John Wilkes Booth]].<ref group="commentary" name="calgaryherald_volmers_blair_pinkertons_2015" /> The series ran for one season of 22 episodes, airing on [[w:CHCH-DT|CHCH]] in Canada beginning January 2015 before reaching UKTV's [[w:Drama (British TV channel)|Drama]] channel and [[w:Netflix|Netflix]].<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_pinkertons_williampinkerton_character" />
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| Blair and his wife relocated from [[w:Toronto|Toronto** to Winnipeg for the production, which shot on a schedule running from August 25, 2014, to March 19, 2015.<ref group="commentary" name="winnipegfreepress_king_blair_pinkertons_workload_2015">{{cite news|url=https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/tv/2015/03/10/prairie-private-eye#:~:text=goose-down-filled%20jacket%20was%20well%20worth%20it|title=Actor works long, cold hours as Pinkertons detective|author=King, Randall|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|date=10 March 2015|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> He said the day-to-day workload exceeded any recurring television role he had held before, contrasting the sustained daily demands of ''The Pinkertons'' with the occasional heavier-dialogue day he was used to from past guest and recurring parts.<ref group="commentary" name="winnipegfreepress_king_blair_pinkertons_workload_2015" /> Blair credited local production designer Réjean Labrie with converting a community centre in Grosse Isle into a period-accurate saloon set for the series.<ref group="commentary" name="winnipegfreepress_king_blair_pinkertons_workload_2015" /> Having grown up playing hockey through Alberta's cold winters, Blair was unfazed by warnings from Manitoba crew members about the weather, saying his "investment in a goose-down-filled jacket was well worth it."<ref group="commentary" name="winnipegfreepress_king_blair_pinkertons_workload_2015" />
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| === Later career ===
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| After relocating to Toronto, Blair took guest roles on several Canadian series, including ''[[w:Suits (TV series)|Suits]]'' (2013), ''[[w:Beauty & the Beast (2012 TV series)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' (2014), ''[[w:Republic of Doyle|Republic of Doyle]]'' (2014), and ''[[w:Rookie Blue|Rookie Blue]]'' (2014).<ref group="external" name="official_jacobwblair_bio_toronto_credits">{{cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20170315045810/http://www.jacobwblair.com/?page_id=17|title=About|author=Blair, Jacob|publisher=jacobwblair.com|accessdate=4 July 2026|archive=Y}}</ref> He subsequently appeared as Benjamin Graves in two episodes of the miniseries ''[[w:Houdini & Doyle|Houdini & Doyle]]'' (2016), played Jeremy Bloom in the [[w:Aaron Sorkin|Aaron Sorkin]] film ''[[w:Molly's Game|Molly's Game]]'' (2017), and had a recurring role as Const. Pete Bell on ''[[w:Coroner (TV series)|Coroner]]'' (2019).<ref group="external" name="tmdb_blair_mollysgame_jeremybloom_cast">{{cite web|url=https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/396371-molly-s-game/cast#:~:text=Jacob%20Blair%20Jeremy%20Bloom|title=Molly's Game (2017) - Cast & Crew|publisher=The Movie Database|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref><ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_fullcredits_lateroles_coroner_midway">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2811073/#:~:text=Const.%20Pete%20Bell|title=Jacob Blair|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> He also played Hank Potter in the 2019 war film ''[[w:Midway (2019 film)|Midway]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_fullcredits_lateroles_coroner_midway" />
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| Blair has become a regular presence in television movies for the Hallmark networks, portraying Daniel opposite Katie Leclerc in ''Beverly Lewis' The Reckoning'' (2015).<ref group="external" name="hallmarkmystery_blair_reckoning_castbio">{{cite web|url=https://www.hallmarkmystery.com/beverly-lewis-the-reckoning/cast/jacob-blair#:~:text=Blair%20is%20a%20Canadian%20actor|title=Jacob Blair as Daniel on Beverly Lewis' The Reckoning|publisher=Hallmark Mystery|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> He continued taking similar television-movie roles through the following decade, including ''Christmas Next Door'' (2017) and ''Grounded for Christmas'' (2019).<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_fullcredits_hallmarkroles">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2811073/#:~:text=Grounded%20for%20Christmas|title=Jacob Blair|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> More recently, he played Blake Lassiter in the 2023 film ''[[w:Champions (2023 film)|Champions]]''.<ref group="external" name="imdb_blair_champions_blakelassiter_fullcredits">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2811073/#:~:text=Champions%20Blake%20Lassiter|title=Jacob Blair|publisher=IMDb|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> In 2024, he worked with Winnipeg production company Black Watch Entertainment on the thriller ''Match, Meet, Murder'' (2025), with producer Meghan Duffy naming Blair among the Winnipeg-based cast members who stood out in the production.<ref group="external" name="tourismwinnipeg_green_blair_matchmeetmurder_2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.tourismwinnipeg.com/things-to-do/only-in-the-peg/read,post/1675/watch-these-winnipeg-made-films-this-holiday-season#:~:text=Jacob%20Blair%2C%20Erik%20Athavale|title=Go behind-the-scenes with the producers of recent feature films in our latest movie guide|author=Green, Mike|publisher=Tourism Winnipeg|date=28 November 2025|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref>
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| == Personal life ==
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| Blair currently resides in Toronto, Ontario.<ref group="external" name="official_jacobwblair_bio_birth_razor" /> His parents are Warren and Deborah Blair, the latter a daughter of the late Frank McCamus of Red Deer.<ref group="external" name="reddeeradvocate_mccamus_obituary_2011_blair_family">{{cite news|title=McCamus, Francis William (Frank)|newspaper=Red Deer Advocate|date=5 February 2011|page=33|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/559725749/|url-access=subscription|via=Newspapers.com|accessdate=4 July 2026}}</ref> Early in his career, Blair performed in community theatre in the [[w:Squamish, British Columbia|Squamish, British Columbia]] area, appearing opposite Lindsey Agnell in the one-act play ''Window Gazing'' at the Brackendale Art Gallery, on a double bill that also featured Trisha Cundy, his eventual fiancée, in the companion piece ''Ladies in Waiting''.<ref group="external" name="squamishchief_allthingsaquatic_blair_windowgazing">{{cite news|url=https://www.squamishchief.com/in-the-community/all-things-aquatic-celebrated-next-week-3341669#:~:text=Lindsey%20Agnell%20and%20Jacob%20Blair|title=All things aquatic celebrated next week|publisher=Squamish Chief|accessdate=4 July 2026|date=17 July 2009}}</ref> As of February 2011, Blair was engaged to Cundy<ref name="reddeeradvocate_mccamus_obituary_2011_blair_family" group="external" />, whom he married later that year<ref group="commentary" name="reddeeradvocate_michelin_blair_theatrepivot_2011_p2" />.
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| Sources differ on his age when his family relocated from Ponoka, Alberta, to Red Deer, variously citing four years old and five years old.<ref group="footnotes" name="footnote_ponoka_age_discrepancy">The official jacobwblair.com biography and IMDb both state Blair's family moved from Ponoka to Red Deer "until the age of four," while a 2011 Red Deer Advocate profile states he moved "with his parents at age five."</ref>
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| == Notes ==
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| {{reflist|group=footnotes}}
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| == References ==
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| === Commentary and Interviews ===
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| {{reflist|group=commentary}}
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| === External Sources ===
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| {{reflist|group=external}}
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| [[Category:A to Z]] | | [[Category:A to Z]] |
