Comic Tells One Too Many Jokes About Her Mother-in-Law

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 25th 2009 03:46PM

In-laws are fun to make fun of, just ask any comic. Well, maybe don't bring it up to Sunda Crooquist, a veteran stand-up who's being sued by her mother-in-law after making her the punchline of too many jokes.

According to the AP, Croonquist's mother-in-law Ruth Zafrin accuses her of spreading defamatory and racist lies through the many zingers she has used during her lengthy career.

The action seeks unspecified damages and demands that Croonquist remove any offensive statements from her Web site, routines and recordings. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey back in April and judge is scheduled to hear a motion to dismiss on Sept. 8.

Croonquist is half-black, half-Swedish, grew up Roman Catholic and married into a Jewish family -- an absolute perfect storm of possible punchlines. She tells the AP that in-law jokes just come natural to her.

A sampling of her jokes:

The one where her mom-in-law reacts to her being pregnant: "OK, now that we know you're having a little girl I want to know what you're naming that little tchotchke. Now we don't want a name that's difficult to pronounce like Shaniqua. We're thinking a name short but delicious. Like Hadassah or Goldie."

The one where she visits her mom-in-law's house for the first time: "I walk in, I say, 'Thank you so much for having me here, Ruthie.' She says, 'The pleasure's all mine, have a seat.'" Then, in a loud aside, 'Harriet, put my pocketbook away.'"

The one where she talks about their differences: "I'm a black woman with a Jewish mother-in-law. Now you know the only thing we have in common, is that we don't wanna get our hair wet. Haaaaaaaay!

"They're nice jokes. There's nothing bad, nothing defamatory," swears Croonquist, who converted to Judaism before she met her husband and keeps a kosher house in Los Angeles.

The lawsuit was filed by mother-in-law Ruth Zafrin, her daughter, Shelley Edelman, and Shelley's husband, Neil. Neither Zafrin, the Edelmans nor their attorney, Lawrence H. Wertheim, returned calls for comment.

Comments

(126)

Wednesday 26 August

By Sabrina

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I dont get what all the commotion is about...The jokes are not bad at all...She doesnt say anything defamatory or hurtful..If the mother in law doesnt like the jokes maybe she shouldnt act that way. The jokes arent even mean spirited..Actually i think those were the nicest mother in law jokes ive ever heard!! Why do we insist on being whiny babies!! I wonder what her son thinks of all this...what kind of mother sues her sons wife for nothing serious!!

By mac

now you are a racist and if name calling makes you feel good about yoourself the you should seek some profesional help bet you secretly wish you could have her, now that's funny LOL LOL

By luvmeezerstoo

If her mother in law and sister in law really said those things in front of her (as referred to in her stand up routine) they really have no room to complain! They should be glad she can laugh at them instead of getting mad and "going off" If they did not say those things, then Mrs. Crooquist probably needs to apologize and stop using them as the butt of her jokes, I can see how they would be hurt if their communities really thought of them as racist and uncaring of others feelings!

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By antcmanche

People should really lighten up. If they would learn to never take things personal they would be much happier. I found the jokes hilarious. Before this article I had never heard of Sunda Croonquist, however, now I will be watching out for her. She's great!

By Sheriff Big Hat

She's good. Frivolous law suit. Easily covered under the First Amendment.

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By paul

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who the hell writes this crap. Croonquist is half-black, half-Swedish?... since when did swedish become a race?. i'm harzading a guess that the swedish parent is white ( judging by her fair complexion) which would make Sunda Crooquist of mixed race. she jokes about being black but in all fairness just like obama... she isn't

By sdictbc

seriously? stop making this all political. you're just like the MIL. always having to create an agenda for everything. i guess you're also one to sue your own family too. get a life!

By Jamie

If her mother-in-law really did say those kinds of things to her, then she has every right to use it in her jokes. I think Ruth is just embarrassed that Sundra is telling people what she has said to her daughter-in-law.

By Red White & YOU

A Jewish woman suing??? NO WAY or is it OYE VIE? Wondering what Law Firm she hired??? I think she should retain the services of " Dewey, Cheatham & Howe".....Where's Jackie Mason when you need him most?

By otrpu

THe MIL is a joke, a bad joke at that.

By Janet

The joke were clean! C'mon!! Family is the best thing to make fun of because their YOURS.....She makes fun of herself, too. I saw no malice in her jokes, just funny observations....

By Terri

Nothing could speak worse of the mother-in-law than the fact that she would sue her son's wife over some JOKES!!! Case closed.

hmm....i smell some jealousy going on..

sounds like somebody wants in on some cash for her success. just saying.

By Karen

Apparently her mother in law has no sense of humor. Her jokes are pretty good. She is pretty funny. That woman (mother in law) needs to get a life.

By gayle

POTT54....fyi, I'm black idiot. This woman is a comedian. Lighten up. I happen to be married outside of my race and except ALL people for who they are without judgement. Geeez!! You don't know me from a can of paint. Who the hell are you to call me insensitive?

By Patrick

you know the difference between in-laws and outlaws?
outlaws are wanted

By paulzx12

Why is it that people who are mulado always say they're black? She's identified as being half black and half swedish. It must be to her adavantage or that of any other mulado to say they're black and to distance themselves from their other heritage. Same can be said of our president who's also mulado. Everyone says he's black but he's not, he only partially looks that way.

By Rachel

the term is mulatto and not used so much anymore

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