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SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is “alert” and conscious after being taken off the field on a stretcher during the team's 1-0 win at Southampton in the on Thursday, manager Julen Lopetegui said. The game was delayed for around eight minutes as Fabianski received treatment on the field at St Mary's Stadium. The 39-year-old Polish goalkeeper was hurt in a collision from a corner and was replaced by Alphonse Areola in the 36th minute. Southampton 'keeper Aaron Ramsdale had run the length of the field to check on Fabianski amid worrying scenes. Fabianski was then greeted by applause as he was taken off with an oxygen mask on, but did not need to go to the hospital. “He had one big knock around the head, around the neck and he was not very sure about his actions. Fortunately the news is he is talking, he is alert, he is conscious,” Lopetegui said. “I talk with him. The doctors say that he feels better and well. I am positive with him. He showed he more or less recovered his sense. I am not afraid. We feared but now he is better and it is a positive feeling because we were very worried.” West Ham, which also saw defender Max Kilman go off in the first half, scored through Jarrod Bowen in the 59th. AP soccer:'Strong' filters: Innovative technology for better displays and optical sensors - Science Daily
Every president makes their mark on the White House in some way. They extend, rebuild or renew. First Ladies order new China sets or redesign the grounds. And when Joe Biden checks out on Jan. 20, the staff have to begin a rapid makeover. Unusually, however, the new White House residents have been there before–and the staff will be bringing back their creature comforts. Which is why, the Daily Mail reports, President-elect Donald Trump ’s Resolute Desk will have a vital feature re-installed: the Diet Coke button. The small red button, mounted in a wooden box with the presidential seal, sits in front of the Resolute Desk’s array of phones and was a frequent power flex for the 45th president when he conducted interviews in the Oval Office. One press and a butler brings in a chilled glass of his favorite drink. The White House staff will also rearrange furniture and the Oval Office’s collection of art, particularly presidential portraits. Biden removed Trump’s portrait of the populist Andrew Jackson and replaced it with Benjamin Franklin and also added a bust of the labor organizer César Chávez. An Azerbaijan Airlines plane which crashed in a fireball in Kazakhastan was “likely shot down by a Russian military air defense system,” an aviation security firm has said. The plane was en route to Grozny, in Chechnya, when it was diverted almost 300 miles to the east after the pilot declared an emergency. Instead of landing at Aktau in Kazakhstan, it came down almost two miles short of the runway and exploded in flames, killing 38 passengers and crew. Twenty nine people survived. Although the airline said it was diverted because of fog, UK-based Osprey , said there appeared to have been Ukrainian drones attacking Grozny at the time. A second security firm boss, Justin Crump of UK-based Sibylline, told the BBC that the damage to the plane was consistent with an air defense missile strike. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are both allies of Putin, while Chechnya is a Russian autonomous republic run by a bloodthirsty warlord who is one of Kremlin strongman Vladimir Putin’s closest associates. The Kremlin has declined to speculate on the cause of the crash. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Neil deGrasse Tyson. Martin Scorsese. Bill and Hillary. Martha Steward. These are just some of the people we are unlikely to meet in person, but at least we can get up close and personal with them by taking their MasterClass online courses —and at a major discount for a limited time. The expert-led platform has a robust library of educational classes on far-ranging topics: science , music, arts , personal empowerment, and more. The classes are taught by industry experts and household names, including Gordon Ramsey, Mariah Carey, David Lynch, Jeff Koons, and many more. Right now, you can score up to 50 percent off on MasterClass subscriptions just in time for last-minute holiday gifting. You do have to take a short quiz to get to the deal, but honestly, it’s worth the 60 seconds. Honestly, whether you waited until the last minute or not, you’ll be gifting the dad in your life with intelligent, cultured content and giving them the opportunity to learn something new from someone famous. The up-and-coming actor Hudson Meeks has died aged 16, days after falling from a moving vehicle in his Alabama hometown, according to his official Instagram page. The teenager, famous for his Baby Driver role as the child version of the hit film’s title character, was first injured on Dec. 19 in the Birmingham suburb of Vestavia Hills. He was rushed to a hospital but was pronounced dead two days later from “blunt force injuries.” News of the accident didn’t emerge until Wednesday after a since-edited statement was posted to his Instagram page. “His 16 years on this earth were far too short, but he accomplished so much and significantly impacted everyone he met,” the statement read, according to The Hollywood Reporter . It remains unclear how Meeks fell from the vehicle, but the case is being probed by police. In addition to his 2017 role on Baby Driver , Meeks also notched credits on the network series MacGyver and Found , and also featured in the 2024 film The School Duel . An obituary said he was a sophomore member of his high school football team and was a superfan of The Simpsons , having binged all 36 seasons. A post shared by Hudson Meek (@hudsonmeek) Chinese student s in the United States are being advised not to return home for the holidays amid uncertainty over whether it could become more difficult for them to get back into the country once Donald Trump moves into the White House. China ’s Consulate General in Chicago wrote on its website that students should “try to reduce unnecessary cross-border travel.” The Chinese Embassy in Washington is also reminding students about security concerns coming into the U.S. During the president-elect’s first term, Chinese students faced tougher restrictions with 1,000 having visas revoked in 2020 over concerns that their scientific study posed security risks, according to the Wall Street Journal . Several colleges, including UPenn and Cornell University, have also highlighted the issue of holiday travel with their foreign students. Meanwhile, the number of Americans studying in China has dropped dramatically since the pandemic, from 11,000 pre-COVID to just 469 in academic-credit courses in China in the 2022-23 year, wrote the Journal. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. 2025 is quickly approaching, and there’s no better way to celebrate the new year than with 2024’s cocktail du jour—the espresso martini. It’s the perfect way to toast 2025 with sophistication, flavor, and an energy boost. Think you can’t make the buzzy beverage at home because you’re not a bartender? Think again. You can create this beloved cocktail effortlessly with just a cocktail shaker, fresh espresso, vodka, coffee beans, and Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur . It all starts in the land Down Under—Australia. Mr Black sources its ingredients, including 100 percent specialty-grade Arabica coffee, from local farmers and cooperatives. The liqueur is then slowly brewed with purified cold water to preserve its delicate, complex flavors. The result? A bittersweet masterpiece with bold flavor, balanced sweetness, and a lasting coffee kick. Its rich, coffee-forward taste is a crowd-pleaser, and the sleek bottle design adds a touch of elegance to any bar cart. Making an espresso martini is simple. Combine Mr Black , vodka, and freshly brewed espresso in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until cold. Then, strain the mixture into a martini glass and finish with three coffee beans as a garnish. Skip the champagne toast this year and ensure you stay awake for the countdown to 2025 with a Mr Black espresso martini. Netflix is celebrating the holidays with the release of the first teaser trailer for Happy Gilmore 2 . Starring Adam Sandler, the highly-anticipated flick is a sequel to the ‘90s golf comedy, Happy Gilmore , that followed Sandler’s character as he tried to win a golf tournament to raise enough money for his grandmother’s house. For its second round on the golf course, Happy Gilmore 2 packs on a star-studded ensemble including artists Eminem and Bad Bunny, as well as Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce who opens the teaser with a cheeky, “It’s good to have you back, Mr. Gilmore.” Elsewhere in the teaser, Christopher McDonald returns as Sandler’s nemesis in the film, Shooter McGavin, much to the delight of fans. While Netflix hasn’t announced the exact date for the sequel’s release, it’s so far slated to premiere sometime in 2025. Have a HAPPY New Year with HAPPY GILMORE 2. Coming to Netflix in 2025. pic.twitter.com/aY7JVz2r5X Luigi Mangione ’s first Christmas behind bars likely involves a festive meal. In an interview with People magazine, prison consultant Sam Mangel disclosed that Mangione will be given a meal of Cornish hen and green beans. Although the consultant isn’t working with Mangione, he previously worked for other clients like Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro. Along with his Christmas meal, Mangel also said that Mangione is sleeping on a mattress that’s “2-inches thick at best” with a “little bump in the end for a pillow.” If Mangione is in protective custody, he’ll spend Christmas day alone in his cell, however if he’s been moved to a different unit with other inmates, he’ll be allowed an hour-long visit from family. It’s unclear what unit Mangione is in while he’s in custody at the Metropolitan Detention Center. The 26-year-old was arrested Dec. 9 in Pennsylvania for his alleged involvement in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York. He faces charges in both states, as well as federal charges. He has pleaded not guilty to his murder charges in New York. Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk showed off a slimmer build in a Christmas day tweet in which he declared himself, “Ozempic Santa.” In the photo shared with the tweet, Musk strikes a modelesque pose in front of a Christmas tree while dressed as Santa Claus. In follow up tweets, Musk suggested that his smaller frame was the result of a weight loss drug. Musk added, “Like Cocaine Bear, but Santa and Ozempic!” In another tweet, he added, “Technically, Mounjaro, but that doesn’t have the same ring to it.” His post was quickly retweeted and co-signed in the dark corners of #DarkMAGA, with unhinged MAGA politico wannabe Valentina Gomez commenting, “African Santa*” under his post. Musk is only the latest political player who has been pawing for the public’s attention during the holidays. Musk’s bff President-elect Donald Trump also posted his way through the afternoon with troll worthy claims against China, Canada, and “the Radical Left Lunatics.” Ozempic Santa pic.twitter.com/7YECSNpWoz The Kardashian-Jenner clan opted for a more “low-key” Christmas eve party this year. Although the family is known for their annual star-studded bash, this year they rang in Christmas by celebrating at home with some card games and Legos. Kim also posted a video to her Instagram Stories of their guests' parting gift—a tequila bottle from her sister Kendall’s brand 818. “We’re doing a really low-key Christmas Eve party this year,” Kim told Vogue at the opening of her SKIMS flagship store in New York. “Just because we have a lot of construction going on, so we’re doing a really family intimate one that I’m really excited about.” She added they were still planning on “dressing up to the nines” because that’s “what we do.” Managing your period shouldn’t feel like a full-time job—you already have one of those. That’s why Knix’s leakproof period underwear is an incredibly thoughtful holiday gift for yourself or someone special. What makes Knix underwear special is the unique gusset. Built into the underwear’s crotch section, the gusset is a liner that—depending on the style chosen—absorbs up to five tampons worth of liquid. Knix offers more than just underwear, too. You’ll also find supportive wireless bras, silhouette-accentuating bodysuits, and ultra-comfy PJs (perfect for those tough, crampy days). Right now, you can score up to 60 percent off sitewide, including shapewear, leakproof underwear, loungewear, activewear, and more during its epic end-of-the-year sale . This is one of Knix’s biggest sales of the year, so if you’ve been wanting to try the brand or restock some of your favorite items, now’s the time to get shopping. A “stressed” Amazon driver in Massachusetts has fessed up after they ditched dozens of undelivered packages in the woods just days before Christmas, police said. The employee, who has not been identified, came clean after police stumbled across 80 discarded packages in a wooded area of Lakeville around 2 a.m. Sunday, USA Today reported . The driver told cops that they had left the packages “because they were stressed.” No charges will be filed against the driver, who said they plan to report the incident to their supervisor. “I am proud of the way our Lakeville Police officers handled and investigated this matter. At this time, we are not seeking criminal charges and are considering this a human resources matter for Amazon,” Police Chief Matthew Perkins said. It may have been the most expensive pizza pie ever sold, but all for a good cause. Dave Portnoy, the president of Barstool Sports, saved a Baltimore pizza shop from closing down on Christmas Day by gifting its owner $60,000 to keep its doors open for a year. The polarizing media mogul stopped by TinyBrickOven in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Charm City to test out a slice as part of his wildly popular One Bite Pizza Reviews series. In the nearly 6-and-a-half-minute video, which is posted on Portnoy’s @stoolpresidente social accounts and his YouTube page, TinyBrickOven’s upbeat, enthusiastic owner tells Portnoy that, because the shop hasn’t been able to attain a liquor license, it hasn’t been making enough money and will close down. Barstool Pizza Review - TinyBrickOven (Baltimore, MD) pic.twitter.com/hDqhclD45D After being impressed by the pizza—he scored it a 7.9—and the shop’s commitment to paying it forward by supporting veterans, Portnoy asks how much money it would take to keep doors open for another year: “If there’s somebody super rich right in front of your face who’s in the pizza business, and by serendipity he’s like, ‘What do you need to stay open for a year?’ you gotta give him some figure, because otherwise he’s gonna walk away.” They eventually land on $60,000, which Portnoy pledges to give before Christmas.
Wales coach Gatland to learn fate in coming daysAll the talk regarding the Detroit Pistons has been about their much-improved roster. That talent will be tested tonight, as their best player will be sidelined. Cade Cunningham will miss the game against the Orlando Magic due to a left sacroiliac joint sprain. He suffered the injury during the Pistons’ 123-121 loss to the Charlotte Hornets when he drove to the rim, drew contact, and fell on his back. Grabbing his tailbone as he rolled onto his stomach, Cunningham eventually got up to knock down two clutch free throws, giving the Pistons a 109-107 lead late in the fourth quarter. This is a significant loss for a Pistons team currently on a two-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the Magic have been playing well, winning seven of their last eight games, including a 119-118 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite missing Paolo Banchero since October 30th with a right oblique injury, the Magic have shown resilience, with Franz Wagner leading the charge. This is their first matchup this season; the Magic dominated the Pistons in last year’s series 4-0 with a 17.5-point margin. As the Pistons prepare for the tough task ahead, which players need to step up, and what do they need to do to secure a victory against this tough Magic team? Let’s dive in. Can Pistons Bounce Back Against Magic Without Cunningham? Who Needs To Step Up For The Pistons To Defeat The Magic Jaden Ivey Without Cunningham in the lineup, Jaden Ivey will assume point guard duties. However, he enters this game amid his worst stretch of basketball this season, averaging just 11.5 points on 6/23 shooting over his last two games. Yet, in 20 games without Cunningham last season, Ivey rose to the occasion, averaging 18.9 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.0 rebounds on 42.5/38.2/66.7% shooting. With the confidence Ivey has displayed this season—and the freedom he typically enjoys when Cunningham is out—expect a big game from him. Jalen Duren Jalen Duren was expected to have a breakout season, but his performances have been inconsistent so far. His last two games highlight this variance: on his 21st birthday , he dominated with 15 points and 22 rebounds (12 offensive), yet in the following game, he posted just five points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes. Duren is more than capable of being a consistent double-double threat; he just needs to believe in his ability. With Isaiah Stewart’s increased production as of late, this could be the fuel Duren needs to solidify his place in the starting lineup. Tobias Harris After a shaky start to the season, Tobias Harris seems to be finding his stride. He played his best game of the year Thursday night, scoring 26 points on 10/16 shooting, including 6/9 from three. Harris has a proven ability to elevate his aggressiveness when needed. For the Pistons to win tonight, Harris will have to bring that same level of intensity and efficiency. Keys To Victory Defend the Three-Point Line Despite having a much-improved defense overall, the Pistons struggle to defend the three-point line. Teams are shooting 37.5% against them from deep, ranking Detroit 26th in the league. Opponents make 13.8 threes per game against the Pistons, placing them 19th . While Detroit does a solid job of limiting attempts (ranking ninth with 36.7 per game), when opponents find their rhythm, it often spells trouble. The Magic, however, are one of the NBA’s worst three-point shooting teams. They average just 11.8 makes per game (fifth worst) on 38.2 attempts (11th most) and shoot a league-low 30.9% from deep. Offensively, the Magic are among the weakest teams in the league, scoring only 106.8 points per game. If the Pistons can keep Orlando’s offense in that range, they’ll have a strong chance to win. Attack the Defense What the Magic lack offensively, they make up for on defense. Opponents score just 103.2 points per game against Orlando, the fewest in the league. Their 105.9 defensive rating ranks third in the NBA. Across all positions, the Magic boast elite defenders who excel at disrupting opponents. The Pistons must attack Orlando’s defense early and often. This approach could help a Detroit team that ranks 26th in the league in free-throw attempts (20.5 per game) and 29th in free-throw makes (15.6 per game). Capitalizing on these opportunities will be essential to overcoming the Magic’s defensive prowess. Slow Down Franz With Banchero sidelined, Franz Wagner has stepped up to carry the Magic’s offensive load. He’s riding a wave of confidence after sinking the game-winning three against the Lakers on Thursday. While Wagner shot just 28.1% from three last season, he has improved to 35% this year. Wagner’s contributions extend beyond scoring. He averages 5.4 assists, second on the team, and 5.6 rebounds, ranking fourth. To slow him down, Detroit’s perimeter defenders must stay disciplined, contest shots, and limit his space to establish a rhythm. The Final Word The Pistons face a challenging task without Cade Cunningham, particularly against a Magic team thriving on defensive intensity and balanced contributions. For Detroit to end its losing streak, players like Jaden Ivey, Jalen Duren, and Tobias Harris must step up. Defensive discipline on the three-point line and an aggressive offensive approach will be key. Containing Franz Wagner and forcing the Magic into inefficient possessions could tip the scales in Detroit’s favor. A win tonight would boost confidence and showcase the Pistons’ resilience and depth without Cunningham. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.Airport surfaces most likely to have a deadly virus lurking on them
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NoneMary Fowler, Alanna Kennedy, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley are through to the quarter-finals of the WCL after wins for Man City and Arsenal. Khadija Shaw scored twice for City in their 2-1 victory at Swedish club Hammarby, while Arsenal booked their spot with a 1-0 win over Juventus thanks to an 89th minute goal from substitute Lina Hurtig. City stayed perfect in the competition with four victories and reached the last eight for the first time since 2021, with two games to spare in Group D. More Football They are joined by Chelsea, Australian coach Joe Montemurro’s Lyon, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Barcelona in the quarter-finals. Bayern Munich were held 1-1 at Vålerenga in Norway, but advanced after the Gunners’ win over Juventus. The London club started with Matildas duo Caitlin Foord up front and Steph Catley at the back, while young Kyra Cooney-Cross was an unused substitute. Foord was in the thick of the action, claiming a penalty after going down under a challenge from Paulina Krumbiegel only for the referee to wave play on. The livewire winger also burst clear on the left side of the penalty area and cut the ball back across the face of goal, but there was no-one arriving in the six-yard box for what would have been a tap-in. Caitlin Foord of Arsenal and Cortnee Vine (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images) Hurtig’s late goal, however, was enough to secure qualification for interim head coach Renee Slegers’ team. City lead Group D with 12 points, three more than two-time defending champions Barcelona, who thumped Austrian club St Pölten 4-1 on Thursday. Bayern top Group C with 10 points, Arsenal have nine followed by Juventus (3) and Vålerenga (1). Man City, with Matilda Alanna Kennedy stationed at the heart of defence and compatriot Mary Fowler up front, were responding to their first loss of the season – a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea in the Women’s Super League on Saturday. Still without injured star Vivianne Miedema, Shaw took charge, proving her scoring instincts after half an hour. A new era of the UEFA Champions League is here, only on Stan Sport. The forward scored from inside the penalty area with a deflected shot that flew over goalkeeper Anna Tamminen to frustrate more than 20,000 noisy fans at the Stockholm Arena in the Swedish capital. Ellen Wangerheim equalised soon after the interval from close range to rejuvenate the crowd, but Shaw struck again to restore the lead just minutes later. This time, she delivered a powerful right-footed finish from the edge of the area. Bayern dominated possession but could not translate it into goals until the 75th minute. They had to rely on substitute Jovana Damnjanović, who gave the visitors a late lead after connecting on a pass from Giulia Gwinn. The Norwegians, who have retained their domestic title, equalised in the 88th through Elise Thorsnes’ header following a corner. Pernille Harder, who found the back of the net five times for Bayern in the previous three games, could not do it again on Thursday and was substituted. © AAP
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SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is “alert” and conscious after being taken off the field on a stretcher during the team's 1-0 win at Southampton in the on Thursday, manager Julen Lopetegui said. The game was delayed for around eight minutes as Fabianski received treatment on the field at St Mary's Stadium. The 39-year-old Polish goalkeeper was hurt in a collision from a corner and was replaced by Alphonse Areola in the 36th minute. Southampton 'keeper Aaron Ramsdale had run the length of the field to check on Fabianski amid worrying scenes. Fabianski was then greeted by applause as he was taken off with an oxygen mask on, but did not need to go to the hospital. “He had one big knock around the head, around the neck and he was not very sure about his actions. Fortunately the news is he is talking, he is alert, he is conscious,” Lopetegui said. “I talk with him. The doctors say that he feels better and well. I am positive with him. He showed he more or less recovered his sense. I am not afraid. We feared but now he is better and it is a positive feeling because we were very worried.” West Ham, which also saw defender Max Kilman go off in the first half, scored through Jarrod Bowen in the 59th. AP soccer:Learn the Importance of Keeping Business Exteriors Clean With Fresh Power Wash
Fresh off the successful first season of the CNN comedy game show “Have I Got News For You,” comedian, actor and media personality Michael Ian Black is headed to Bottlerocket Social Hall in Pittsburgh’s Allentown neighborhood this weekend for a series of stand-up shows. What can audiences expect from those shows? “Primarily jokes. It’s mostly gonna be jokes, jokes and stories and maybe even some audience interaction, who knows?” Black said in an interview. His three released comedy albums have delivered acerbic, irreverent comedy that touches on his experiences in the entertainment industry, Halloween costumes, health scares and bumper stickers, among other topics. This time around will be similar. “I usually talk about my family and my sort of life experiences, and there’ll be a sprinkling of politics, I imagine, but not a tremendous amount,” he said. Black is no stranger to the world of political comedy and commentary. He acts as a “team captain” on “Have I Got News For You,” which has been renewed for a second season and will return early next year. “It’s been very fun. It’s maybe the best job I’ve ever had because it requires so little of me. And that’s the kind of job I prefer — anything where I get to sit down and wear nice clothing and don’t have to memorize anything or really even know anything. Fantastic. That’s a job I want and thankfully that’s the job I have,” he said. Black has been into politics for his entire life, going back to childhood. “I’ve always been interested. I just didn’t really talk about it. I remember ... when I was coming home from summer camp when I was like 10 or 11, we stopped at a gas station to fill up and ... I was looking at the magazine rack at the gas station, and there was a Time cover story about Alexander Haig.” Haig, who was President Ronald Reagan’s Secretary of State, had resigned. “I was 10, like 10 or 11 years old. And I said to my mother, ‘Why didn’t you tell me Alexander Haig resigned?’ “I’ve always been fascinated. It’s not the exercise of power that interests me. It’s the desire to have power that is really interesting. Maybe because I’ve never had that desire, like I’ve never wanted to be a leader. My God. I can’t imagine anything worse,” he continued. Just as politics have always been part of his life, so has writing. Black has written more than a dozen books — for children and adults — and he pens many posts for numerous news sites and his own Substack. He has written two screenplays that were made into films, 2006’s “Wedding Daze” and 2007’s “Run Fatboy Run,” which was co-written with Simon Pegg, the film’s star. “I write pretty much every day because I guess on some molecular level, I am a writer. I think for some people, they feel out of sorts if they don’t go to the gym every day and I’m like that with writing. So do I love it? I, I don’t know, it’s just what I do. It’s not that I love it or don’t love it. It’s just, that’s kind of what I am and who I am,” he said. That said, whether it’s acting, writing, podcasting, hosting or comedy, Black has enjoyed all aspects of his career. “I like whatever is appealing and interesting in that moment. There are times where acting gets boring, there are times when writing gets boring and there are times when, you know, anything you do over and over again gets boring. So, it’s nice to be able to draw from a lot of different things that I can do,” he said. Black has acted in a number of television shows and movies, including “Ed,” “Wet Hot American Summer” and “The Jim Gaffigan Show.” He also appeared on VH1’s “I Love The...” series of shows in the early-to-mid 2000s. “Acting I got into because I was a 9-year-old at summer camp and there was a girl I had a crush on and she was doing the play. So I was like, oh, I should do the play. And then I ended up liking acting. I don’t wanna say more than I liked her, but probably just as much. ... I wanted to recreate, I think, that excitement and so I became an actor. “And comedy. I wasn’t planning on getting into comedy. I just sort of fell into it in college when I joined a sketch comedy troupe that eventually became known as The State, and we had our own TV show,” he said. Black isn’t very into pop culture, something about himself that he laments. “I mostly spend my time thinking about UFOs and playing poker. That’s what I do.” He appeared on the first, second and eighth seasons of “Celebrity Poker Showdown,” and he made it to the championship game in seasons two and eight. “I’ve been doing it most of my adult life and I keep doing it and you’d think I’d be better at it. ... I’m not becoming a pro any time soon,” he said. Michael Ian Black will perform at Bottlerocket Social Hall in Pittsurgh’s Allentown neighborhood Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Learn more at bottlerocketpgh.com .NonePlanetarium Labs Launches Immortal Rising 2 Path of Ascension Play 2 Airdrop Pre-Registration at YGG Play Summit