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By Cindy Adams
August 10, 2015 | 6:38pm
I'm ready for my close up!! #KosherSoulCookbook #Photoshoot @laughfactoryhw
A post shared by Sunda Croonquist (@sundalive) on
Sunda Croonquist.
She’s from New Jersey but doesn’t live there. She has an African-American mom, Swedish musician father, Hindu name and looks Puerto Rican. Raised Catholic, converted to Judaism, has a New York lawyer husband, is a comic, was sued by her mother-in-law, who resented some jokes and she now calls herself “A mashugana.”
Enough? No. She’s now written “Kosher Soul Food.”
Sunda: “Years ago, Jackie Mason told me: ‘You’re funny. You should do stand up.’ I said, ‘Please. I’m a serious actress.’ My boyfriend said, ‘He thinks you’re funny so try it.’ So right away I did a workshop.
“I’m no Joy Behar or Susie Essman. Not raw as possible, like the boys. And not talking only about babies and my period. I’m just funny. It’s the best way. And I write the stuff myself. On talk shows like ‘The View,’ I talk about Spanish-Yiddish food.
“No making fun about religion or races. No pork chop or bacon jokes. It’s pass the hummus. It’s veggie kugel, which is collard greens with matzo balls, which I make with seltzer to let it rise.
“In Hollywood, I work in the Laugh Factory. It’s a different vibe. Not too many Italians in Beverly Hills. There, it’s Persians. Here it’s Puerto Ricans.
“Another thing. Joan Rivers and I shared the same podiatrist.”
History and horror repeat themselves. November 1990. Jewish Defense League’s activist Rabbi Meir Kahane assassinated in New York’s Marriott Hotel. This week his 23-year-old grandson, activist Meir Ettinger, in custody. In Israel.
Accusation against the extremist grandson, part of the radical Hilltop Youth organization, and whose mother is the rabbi’s daughter, is for terrorist activities. Demonstrating against the Arabs. Clashes with the Palestinians. Allegedly for incitement, conspiracy and firebombing.
Grandson Ettinger was arrested by the Israeli police. In the old days the rabbi, too, was first put behind bars then finally released. Israel’s legal system allows for incarceration without trial.
Coming. Football season. So, temporarily, just hold your horses and your deflated popcorn bag and watch Dwayne Johnson’s “Ballers” — about the gridiron, its players, problems, balls and belles . . .
Also coming is Patricia Clarkson’s “Learning To Drive” film. It premieres the 17th, opens the 21st and she does its first BS on “Kelly and Michael” Wednesday . . .
Ladies heading toward Broadway and Times Square were seen peeling off bracelets and earrings as their cars neared the area. Just sayin’.
“Empire” creator Lee Daniels: “I can’t read reviews. I must protect myself. Always one sentence will do me in.” . . .
What happened to People magazine? Its recent big-time front-page cover trumpeted 50-year-old John F. Kennedy photos. How current is that? . . .
Milos is W. 55th’s supermarvelous Greek fish restaurant. A diner: “Your country’s in trouble.” The waiter: “Yes, but we’re not” . . .
Aussie Iggy Azalea, after a career slowdown, being told: “Start over. Go back to your original fan base, cater to them, pack them in, be SRO all over again.” . . .
Years ago now-embattled Jann Wenner could’ve been Earth’s happiest. MTV wanted to buy Rolling Stone in return for a 25 percent stake in the fledgling music channel.
He passed.
Democrats in an East Side living room watching last week’s debates: “Next week Conservative Republicans will hold a hush-hush session. They’ll discuss their party’s agenda. The idea is to meet behind closed minds.”
Only in New York, kids, only in New York.
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