Christine Baranski Fears a New York City Death

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This edition features insights from Christine Baranski, the esteemed actress who has triumphed in Emmy and Tony awards. Her extensive career spans television, film, and theater, with notable roles in shows like The Good Wife, The Good Fight, Mamma Mia, and currently starring in Nine Perfect Strangers and The Gilded Age.

1.
What do you like to eat and/or drink right before bed?

In my case, a bowl of cereals mixed with milk often hits the spot as my go-to comfort food. However, before retiring for the night, I prefer to drink a glass filled with icy cold water instead.

2.
What would your religion be like if you could make up your own?

I’d lean more toward faiths similar to those of Native Americans. The core focus would be on respecting nature, and we’d regularly come together for collective song and dance sessions. There wouldn’t be a stern, old, bearded deity figure.

3.
If you had to be the face of a product, what would you choose?

I have a strong fondness for exploring new places, and I particularly enjoy staying at opulent historical hotels or charming boutique accommodations. If given the opportunity, I’d delight in descending the majestic staircase of an illustrious hotel steeped in history, surrounded by countless fascinating individuals who once graced its presence – the Ritz in Paris, the Sacher in Vienna, the Connaught in London would certainly fit the bill.

As a dashing movie critic strolling through the stylish halls of the St. Regis during Fashion Week, I made quite the scene in a striking leopard-print bodysuit and cape. Strutting down the iconic staircase of the New York St. Regis was an experience that oozed glamour like none other. In that moment, I pondered, “Why settle for endorsing ordinary face cream when being the ambassador of a prestigious hotel is infinitely more enticing?

4.
What’s your most repetitive, long-term fear?

On a deteriorating world and amidst a turbulent nation, the wellbeing of my loved ones – four grandchildren and two daughters – is a constant concern. The uncertainty about their futures weighs heavily on me, as it does for many others. I grapple with an underlying, existential anxiety about what lies ahead.

5.
What just happened in your life?

On his seventh birthday, I was buying a pair of Nike shoes and a bomber jacket as gifts for my grandson. It’s always enjoyable having four grandchildren around.

6.
What is the last thing you read — labels, Us Weekly, and texts count. Can you give us the gist of what you learned?

Recently, I found myself browsing through children’s shoe sizes and colors online, trying to decide between red or purple pairs. Meanwhile, I took some time to review my list of Italian words and phrases, as I’m currently studying the language because I have a house in Tuscany – a charming retreat that I wish to communicate with locals effectively. Learning new languages can be enjoyable, especially when you’re not memorizing lines for a TV show. Plus, interacting with Italians sounds appealing! However, let’s steer clear of discussing the grim news stories, and instead focus on the various colors Nike shoes come in.

7.
What is the last thing you bought used?

I acquired a handcrafted wooden table and chair set, specifically designed for my adorable 2-year-old grandchild. There’s no denying the affectionate touch in this choice.

8.
Who was the most difficult person to listen to (for you) recently?

Over the past decade, I’ve found myself consistently immersed in the distinctive voice and presence of Donald Trump. His omnipresence, echoing in our minds and media, can be both infuriating and alarming.

9.
What place will you never return to?

In a conundrum between Hyderabad, India, and Las Vegas, I find myself leaning away from both. My personal preference doesn’t align with Las Vegas, making me hesitant about revisiting it. As for Hyderabad, despite having paid it a visit once, I am eager to explore the myriad other destinations our world has to offer.

10.
If you were without home or ability to earn, do you have anyone you can turn to for shelter and financial support? For how long?

I prefer to believe that my daughters and grandchildren will care for me without imposing a deadline. Since I raised them and supported them in their lives, I expect they would reciprocate the kindness. It’s unfortunate when one can put a timeframe on such relationships: “In six years, my daughters might ask me to leave.” The quality of our bond seems more about mutual respect and usefulness within the household.

11.
What TV show or movie would you want to play a part in, and what part would it be?

In the movie “Lawrence of Arabia,” I’d be like Lawrence of Arabia himself. As for television, I could fit right into an episode from “I Love Lucy” or “The Carol Burnett Show.

12.
What’s something you’d like to quit — a substance, a habit, etc. — and how would you go about it?

I’d like to cut back on using my cell phone, limiting its use to specific times of the day. Ideally, I would check it only an hour after waking up and a few hours before going to bed. My ultimate goal is to live without relying on it excessively. I’m considering two strategies to achieve this. One option is taking a long trip to disconnect from our information-rich environment and immerse myself in daily experiences. If travel isn’t possible, I might lose myself in an engrossing novel to distract my mind from the phone. To break free from addiction, it’s important to replace unhealthy habits with something positive. I don’t use social media, but my phone still seems to weigh me down with constant news updates and emails that demand immediate responses. I yearn for a simpler pace of life.

In summary, the original passage describes the speaker’s desire to limit their cell phone usage by checking it only at specific times, either through taking a long trip or immersing themselves in a book as an alternative to social media and constant news updates. The speaker expresses a desire for a slower pace of life to break free from the addiction.

13.
If you could take a brain ride in anyone’s consciousness, whose would it be?

Intriguing ways to rephrase:

A. I find myself wondering about the Dalai Lama’s daily routine and methods for achieving a heightened state of consciousness.
B. I am curious to understand how the Dalai Lama manages his day-to-day life and ascends to such a higher level of awareness.
C. There’s something that draws me to pondering over the Dalai Lama’s daily existence and his journey towards increased consciousness.
D. I can’t help but wonder about the secret behind the Dalai Lama’s day-to-day life and his pursuit of higher levels of consciousness.

A. I was utterly captivated by Ken Burns on Face the Nation, impressed by how eloquently he discussed American history, and how effortlessly his ideas, thoughts, and observations flowed out.
B. Ken Burns on Face the Nation left me spellbound with his articulate insights into American history, as well as the seamless way in which his thoughts, ideas, and reflections poured forth.
C. I was spellbound by the eloquence of Ken Burns on Face the Nation, as he shared his profound understanding of American history, and the ease with which his thoughts, ideas, and observations seemed to flow.
D. On Face the Nation, Ken Burns left me enchanted by his articulate discourse on American history, and the fluid manner in which his thoughts, ideas, and observations appeared to emerge.

A. I am in awe of Ken Burns’ boundless intellectual curiosity, as demonstrated by the diverse range of documentaries he has created on various aspects of life.
B. The sheer breadth of Ken Burns’ intellectual curiosity is astounding, as evidenced by his remarkable body of work that encompasses subjects ranging from baseball to Leonardo da Vinci to the American Revolution.
C. It is breathtaking to witness the depth and width of Ken Burns’ intellectual curiosity, as reflected in the multifaceted documentaries he has produced on a wide array of topics.
D. The extent of Ken Burns’ intellectual curiosity leaves me awestruck, as seen in his extensive collection of documentaries that span numerous aspects of life, from baseball to Leonardo da Vinci to the American Revolution.

14.
What is something you regret doing within the past week? (Besides agreeing to answer this questionnaire.)

Instead of saying “I’m not sure I regret anything,” you could say “I wish I had done something different this week.” Specifically, you regret skipping your daily routine of waking up early, going for a morning swim, taking a five-mile hike, and spending time in nature. You feel that you missed out on these moments because you prioritized practical matters over living in the present in the natural world.

It seems we’re all struggling to find our focus: What should we pay attention to? Living in this era of constant news and information can make us feel a bit insane. So much of what we see is harmful, disheartening, or overwhelming. We don’t know how to deal with it, but we continue living and existing within this time. Every morning, I wish I could rise earlier, read Wordsworth – one of the great poets who wrote about nature – and then go for a swim and hike. Regrettably, I don’t always do that.

15.
What are you jealous of in a family member?

I managed to send both my daughters to excellent schools, including universities and graduate programs. One, Isabel, attended law school, while Lily studied anthropology at Oxford. I can’t help but feel envious of their academic paths. Although I was fortunate enough to attend Juilliard, a renowned acting school, it wasn’t a traditional university or graduate program, so I didn’t receive the same type of education that they did. And while I played Diane Lockhart on TV with her impressive legal knowledge, I couldn’t help but feel envious as my daughters actually went to law school and had the opportunity to study at Oxford. I’m happy for their successes, but I can’t deny feeling a pang of envy too.

16.
How many colors has your hair been?

Over the course of my life, I’ve had four distinct shades of blonde hair. At birth, I was platinum-blonde, which darkened to a lighter shade during my teenage and early adult years. After having a child, I became a brunette, but for filming purposes, I returned to being dark blonde because the lighter hue was more camera-friendly. Occasionally, it took on a reddish tint as well. In essence, while not a rainbow of colors like pink, green, black, and blonde, my hair has evolved through several variations of the same spectrum.

17.
If you had to move anywhere outside the U.S., where would you go?

I would live in England or Italy.

18.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever learned from someone you don’t like?

In simpler terms, there are individuals I don’t particularly enjoy due to their abrasive nature, but they’ve taught me the value of straightforwardness, a quality that I find invigorating and enlightening. I hold in high regard those who can be brutally honest without worrying about whether people appreciate them or not.

19.
What did you have for breakfast this morning, and is it your usual?

As a movie enthusiast, let me share my experience with you: I’ve just whipped up a unique smoothie that is as intriguing as the latest indie film. Picture this: fresh and frozen blueberries, a dash of pomegranate, a sprinkle of maqui powder, a scoop of peanut butter, vanilla protein powder dissolved in oat milk, and a touch of flax seeds all thrown into the blender. The result? A glass and a half of dark purple liquid gold that’s as nourishing as any award-winning production. Trust me, this concoction is setting my day up right!

20.
Describe something that was funny to you.

Allow me to rephrase that for you in an informal yet clear manner: I find myself returning to this topic, but I’ve just watched Trump’s press conference in the Oval Office, and it seemed more like the Fontainebleau hotel in Miami to me – it had a distinct Miami Beach hotel vibe. In fact, I couldn’t help but chuckle because there he was, with his orange hair, seated on a yellow chair surrounded by other yellow chairs, with gold frames everywhere behind him. To me, it was all quite amusing.

21.
Describe something that is not funny to you.

Having the people’s house turned into a gilded palace.

22.
Describe something that is beautiful to you.

One variation could be: I enjoy spending time at the end of my extended pier, particularly when the sun dips below the horizon. Whether it’s over Connecticut or Tuscany, the sight never fails to captivate me.

23.
Describe something that is ugly to you.

The new Oval Office. [Laughs.]

24.
How much money do you think is “enough” for the whole rest of your life — that you wouldn’t need to work again?

As someone who’s clocked in 50 years of hard work, I’m already blessed with a substantial amount of wealth. Yet, there’s an insatiable desire within me for more – another $20 billion to be precise. This isn’t about personal gain, but about making a significant impact. I yearn to support environmental, cultural, and educational institutions that are working tirelessly to shape our world into a better place. The world needs visionary philanthropists now more than ever, individuals who can help us navigate the challenges of today and tomorrow.

25.
What do you think is your most likely cause of death?

Have you crossed a busy street in New York recently? I’m worried that while humming a Sondheim tune or preoccupied with something else, I might step off the curb unexpectedly and get hit by a bike, bus, or cyclist. So, it’s crucial to check both directions several times before crossing, and even look up and down just in case. In New York, simply seeing the “Walk” sign doesn’t mean you’re safe – it’s more like the Wild West here! I always remind my friends visiting New York to be extra careful when crossing streets, especially when exiting a taxi.

On the contrary, a swift end might offer some relief, as I’d prefer to avoid prolonged pain and becoming a living laboratory, burdening my loved ones. However, I don’t desire such an outcome. Death isn’t something I wish to ponder over. Instead, I’m eager for adventures like swimming, hiking, and learning Italian. Why dwell on the subject of death when there’s so much life to live?

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2025-07-22 20:58