The story of the stand-up comedian being sued for defamation by her Jewish mother-in-law continues to be gobbled up by media outlets across the nation. Both comic Sunda Croonquist and her lawyer husband Mark Zafrin say they were blindsided by Rose Zafrin's suit. The husband whose firm will represent Croonquist told the Post his reaction to the suit was, "What — are you trying to us? My wife's from Paterson!" The black comedienne, whose observational jokes about differences in ethnic customs suddenly became too much for her mother-in-law, says she keeps a kosher house and converted to Judaism (for her marriage, not her career). When asked about the lawsuit by Entertainment Tonight, she said, "I felt sick to my stomach I was sickened. ... I thought maybe a phone call would suffice." She also mentioned to the TV show that she had shows here at Stand-Up NY and Comix this weekend. If this ends up in Judge Judy or Cristina's Court, we think we know who the special guest star will be to mend the parted sea between the two. Croonquist recently revealed that she was inspired her to grab a mic for the first time after being encouraged at a party...by none other than Jackie Mason. more ›

During a performance at the Loews Regency on Park Avenue Thursday night, comic Jacke Mason referred to President Obama as a "schwartza," which, depending on who you ask, is either a benign Yiddish word for "black" or a racial slur equivalent to the n-word. TMZ was all over Mason after the schwartza-bombing, which prompted at least one audience member to walk out, "reportedly" fuming, "He's more offensive to the Jews than Madoff tonight." Speaking on the phone to TMZ, Mason explained, "I was raised in a Jewish family where 'schwartza' was used. It's not a demeaning word and I'm not going to defend myself... What about the demeaning words blacks say about Jews? If it's a racist society, the white people are the ones being persecuted because they have to defend themselves." And after being confronted by a camera-wielding TMZ troll yesterday, Mason angrily dismissed the controversy: "Why don't you ask Kid Rock. What's his name? The comedian. Chris Rock. Why don't you ask him what he said about white people... White people have no freedom of speech. I'm telling you, fuck you and that's it!" Of course, Al Sharpton has now piled on. more ›

Untitled, by vanshnookenraggen on Flickr. Tag yours "Gothamist" if you want us to use them. more ›

-- Is it wrong to wear a puppy as a fanny-pack? Discuss. more ›

). Gothamist would have to say that the survey of 1,000 people was probably done to reflect a national perception; if anything, New Yorkers would rule any poll about being the loudest, rudest, most impatient, smartest, and most beautiful. And you need a sense of humor to get by in this city. Plus, it's probably a stupid goddamn poll from a bunch of losers. So there! more ›

Abe Hirschfeld, the millionaire developer turned jack-of-whatever-he-wanted died yesterday from complications of cancer. While Hirschfeld made his money in real estate (cinderblock, "semi-enclosed" parking garages), he became a public fixture after running for lieutenant governor, buying the NY Post for two weeks and causing the Post's staff to revolt, having a public feud with Jackie Mason, offering Paula Jones $1 million to settle her suit against then President Clinton, running for a variety of public offices - including Manhattan Beep, state comptroller, and Senate - and plotting to kill a business partner. All in all, he was a true New York character. more ›