Fresh Air, Christine Baranski and Benjamin Miller (Nonfiction‪)‬

Actress Christine Baranski and garbage expert Benjamin Miller on this edition of Fresh Air. Baranski is probably best known for her work on the TV series Cybill, in which she played Maryann, the best friend of Cybill Shepherd. She's currently starring in the TV sitcom Welcome to New York. She also plays Martha May Whovier in the new film Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. She's won two Emmys, an American Comedy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and two Tonys for her theater performances. Her film credits include Bowfinger, Cruel Intentions, and The Birdcage. Her plays include The Real Thing and The House of Blue Leaves. Miller discusses the history of rubbish in New York. He's the former director of policy planning for the New York City Department of Sanitation. He's just written a book on the subject, entitled Fat of the Land: Garbage in New York - The Last 200 Years. Miller says that the dumping of garbage has literally shaped New York City as it took over surrounding islands and bulked up Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. (Broadcast Date: December 18, 2000)