There are some news stories that momentarily seize the interest and then there are some that literally change your view of life, the world and all of humanity there within. Such a story transpired this weekend. Ladies and gentlemen, I think a discussion of Richard Quest is long overdue, don't you?
Now, anyone who has ever had to stay for an extended period of time in a hotel in which the only English speaking channel is CNN International almost certainly nurtures a quiet obsession with Richard Quest, or "Quest" as he rather endearingly refers to himself. Proudly described by CNN's website as "one of the most instantly recognisable members of the CNN team", Quest's fame may owe more to his extraordinary speaking voice which alternates from BOOMING LOUD to ****low and almost whispery***** (before swiftly returning to his preferred level of SHOUTING FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON WITH randOM enunCIAtion) and his fondness for on camera stunts such as walking on a catwalk and dancing the cha cha on camera than any actual reporting abilities.
But in the tedious world that is CNN International, such occasional flashes of personality are welcome, which explains how Richard landed such plum jobs as hosting the regular travel segment called, brilliantly, Quest. His blog for that programme is a total joy and I strongly urge you to look back on the archives, and not just to admire his rictus smile. But rather, perhaps to see the warning signs.
Because Richard Quest was arrested in Central Park at 3:40am on Friday. Richard gently (and then probably boomingly) explained to the enquiring officers that he simply hadn't realised that the park shuts at 1am. Unfortunately, this did not soothe the officers' concern about the big ol' bag of crystal meth in his pocket or why he was wearing a leash around his neck that was fastened to his genitals and had a sex toy in his boot.
It does all put a rather sad spin on one of Quest's last blogs at the end of last year in which he promised that he was "Off to meet Santa". Yes, of course you are, Richard. In your head. Even more tragic is the look of disappointment on most people's faces when they learn that the CNN presenter in question is Quest, and not Anderson Cooper.
The one bright side is that reporting of this story has brought to the fore the kinds of euphemisms some us thought had died out with the 1920s. "Flamboyant" is, according to LiS' last count, the most popular adjective invoked when describing Quest himself. But "travels frequently with his mother" is easily our favourite, as allegedly used on Fox News according to, um, my mother. Make of that what you will.
