The Crystal Method to Richard Quest's Madness

When I learned that Richard Quest had been busted with meth in his pocket, my first reaction was to chuckle a little and shake my head.

"Well, that explains a lot," I said to my wife.

Just about anyone who's seen the manic, occasionally unnerving on-air antics of CNN's resident eccentric Brit has probably -- at one time or another -- asked him or herself just what the hell Quest is on. The fact that, as it turns out, the answer is crank is as shocking as it is, well, not very shocking at all. During my years at CNN, particularly the time I spent as a senior producer in Atlanta, I admit that I rarely passed up an opportunity to put Quest on television; no matter where he was or what he was covering, his humor and brash unpredictability brought a welcome shot of pure adrenaline to the typically staid CNN proceedings. I looked forward to his stories, never doubting that they would provide the most memorable moments in any broadcast, and considered the man himself to be something of a rock star -- a true "personality" in a place that was, for the most part, sorely lacking any. His pieces didn't always carry the kind of weight that would make him a first or even second block hit, but there was no denying his special brand of insane gravitas.

Quest has always been one-of-a-kind, and despite the current scandal surrounding him, he's someone CNN is wise not to be summarily throwing to the wolves. But the fact that he does still have a job at the network, after what could very well be the most embarrassing arrest in recent memory, is a bit of a head-scratcher to someone whom CNN unceremoniously fired almost three months ago for the apparently unpardonable sin of personal blogging. I admit, it just doesn't seem fair: Quest breaks the law and becomes a walking punchline and CNN issues an official press release wishing him a speedy recovery during his obligatory stint in rehab; I write on my own time, never once identifying myself as a network employee, and I'm sent packing with no warning and no severance -- despite my supervisors' knowledge that my wife and I are expecting our first child in August. Quest likely violated a morality clause in his contract and not only drew negative publicity to CNN, but may have damaged his future credibility beyond repair (as much as I'd like to believe otherwise, I'm not sure anyone will be able to look at him for quite some time without wondering what's wrapped around his crotch or stuffed into his boot), while I failed to note a single and comically vague line in the employee handbook which supposedly forbade me to write anything at anytime without first having it approved by CNN standards and practices.

CNN shouldn't fire Richard Quest, but if his indiscretion doesn't meet the threshold for termination then my offense didn't even come close.

For the record, I'm well aware of the -- pardon the pun -- bind that CNN finds itself in with respect to Quest: By predictably checking into rehab, he's making the claim that he has a serious drug problem, rather than simply being a recreational user (believe it or not, those still exist), and therefore wasn't responsible for his actions on the night of his arrest; the network can't legally abandon him. Meanwhile, whatever sexual kinks Quest may indulge in are his business and his alone; once again, from both a lawsuit-avoidance and a public relations standpoint, CNN can't be seen to cast a disapproving eye on his lifestyle. But it's damn interesting that a news network wouldn't be willing to risk offending the gay community -- and before anyone grabs the phone and begins dialing GLAAD, of course I'm not implying that gay-equals-deviant -- yet has no problem hanging both proponents of new media and the first amendment itself out to dry.

What this likely all comes down to, however, is something that was mentioned to me several times during the hoopla over my untimely dismissal: Many of those who were kind enough to support me wanted to know why CNN continued to pay opinionated blowhards like Lou Dobbs and Nancy Grace, yet found a writer with a personal opinion -- someone working completely outside the confines of the office -- to be unworthy of a place at the network. Needless to say, the reason was that the former -- the big-budget talent -- was using its collective voice to make money for CNN and Time Warner, while the latter wasn't. (He wasn't making money period.) It always comes down to ratings and revenue, and there's a reason that on-air talent is paid more than those behind the scenes: It brings in the dollars. Viewers will never tune in to watch the work of a smart producer or manager, but they'll damn sure be in front of their TVs if they like watching Lou Dobbs complain about Mexicans.

It's ironic that Richard Quest's notoriety as a familiar face on CNN is not only what made his arrest such a big deal, it's what will wind up saving his job in the aftermath of it. I love to watch him too, but that doesn't make the double-standard right -- the one that saves his job and not that of someone working behind the scenes.

Next time, I'm checking into rehab -- or if I've already been, can I just grandfather that in?

Follow Chez Pazienza on Twitter: www.twitter.com/chezpazienza

Comments

[julierb]

Take this as an opportunity to give us all more insight into what really goes on behind the scenes at CNN - to whatever degree that you legally can. Take your expertise to some independent media outlet and help them to counteract the main stream media blockage of real information, because they are not vetted by the corporate interests that own the MSM. Look for real stories to tell, like that Scott Ritter was on Democracy Now! yesterday saying that it looks to him like the U.S. is getting ready to ATTACK IRAN very soon now, using the same tactics that they did to get us into Iraq with B.S. satallite images and baseless accusations about their nuclear ambitions and capabilities. They will succeed in their mission, if the MSM just plays along, like it did before.
I recommend that everyone check out Monday's transcript of Democracy Now! for the excellent interview with Mr. Ritter, as well as the next segment, where Amy Goodman interviews a former marine who became a jounalist, but could only tell the stories that the military wanted to propogate. Maybe you can hire the guy - he's a photographer - and get down to the truth of things before our crazed government does send troops into Iran, which would really distract the people of this country from the financial sinkhole we are falling into and scare everyone who does not know better into voting for McCain. SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER!

[soonerdru]

Seriously, would you WANT to work for these guys? Sometimes getting the axe is more of a blessing than a curse. Lately their content and new hires have seemed rather tired and obvious in their slants. Better things are ahead, if you choose to see it that way.

[wayneinky]

I "discovered" this guy back in the late '90s on BBC America's evening newscast, doing the stock market report from New York. If anything, Quest has toned down his act significantly since those early BBC years, but he's always a riot to watch. This Central Park escapade just adds to the lore for me.

[Tennessean]

CNN should have fired Quest immediately. That they didn't do so when he checked into rehab doesn't mean they won't do so when he is released from rehab either. So, take heart, Chez. You and Richard can stil get the same shabby treatment from your masters at Time Warner Inc.

[hey0there]

The simple answer -- as played out in many offices throughout the world every day -- is you rubbed someone the wrong way there at some point, and from that point forward, it became their mission to find the best way to discharge you while protecting themselves from any kind of legal backlash. They found that in your blogging; it seems unconceivable that they wouldn't simply warn an employee to stop if they wanted to keep them around.

[SharonWantsToTalk]

Its symptomatic of all MSM and despicable. How can we change it?

[startrekchess]

"Viewers will never tune in to watch the work of a smart producer or manager...."

This fallacy, often sold, is likely designed to keep not-so-smart producers and managers employed. If backroom shows a cohesive vision (to inform, and not to propagate rumours, gossip and lies) , then the frontperson needs only to be mildly entertaining or at least not overtly annoying. CNN is showing game show hosts, drawing fans with fake competitions or youtube videos which one avoids when on youtube.

News channels with time for indepth coverage of topical issues have forgotten the art of storytelling. Posing a poor's Ralph Lauren model in a dirty shirt in around the world backdrops and calling it a special on global warming is a prime example of a non-smart production and/or management staff. I read of mismanagers claiming "the people" are not interested in Karzai's survival of an assassination attempt, but if the media only sold us the story as well as they sell polygamy - which affects far fewer of us, incidentally - ratings would increase.

Logic and reason were not evident on CNN before Quest's exposure. (Thus I'm not surprised by their irrational rules for retaining employment.) I've been turning more to Fox because the "Dream On" generation pandering on CNN makes me ill. I can take the European approach of newsreaders presenting feeds from affiliated networks, but not the false idols who use cities as personal backdrops to promote their careers.

[KPinSEA]

"Well, that explains a lot."

Unquestionably, but ...

"I admit that I rarely passed up an opportunity to put Quest on television; no matter where he was or what he was covering .... His pieces didn't always carry the kind of weight that would make him a first or even second block hit, but there was no denying his special brand of insane gravitas."

That sounds like an admission that you were an enthusiastic participant in the process that turned CNN from a news organization into a clown show, and I've got to say Chez, it really diminishes my sympathy for you over your termination. Whenever I've been in London in the last couple years, if I happened upon the bizarre Quest on CNN, I groaned and asked 'omg which channel is BBC?'

[Aurelius]

I am not surprised at all that Quest was kept on CNN. No doubt some media execs who share some of his proclivities (and there are many such execs) sympathized with him and kept him on. After all, Richard just took a little walk on the wild side--with a rope around his neck that was tied to his genitals in the middle of the night in Central Park with a little meth in his pocket to soup up the experience. Nothing bizarre about that, now is there? Not in teevee management land.

[RedDogBear]

KPinSEA, I agree 100%. I stopped paying for cable a couple of years ago so I haven't seen him in a while but I remember the few times I did see Quest I immediately changed the channel. I felt embarrassed for the guy he was such a clown. Calling his schtick a "special brand of insane gravitas" is like saying Bush has a "special way with words".

[99hockeyman]

I was watching CNN on Friday and saw the interview with Ted Turner on Wall Street . You can call Mr. Turner a womanizer, a heavy partier, and other things, but he had a great vision and wished he still owned CNN, TBS and the Atlanta Braves.

[AnotherTry]

Get over it and move on.

[RedDogBear]

This isn't just a case of Mr. Pazienza having an axe to grind. Its an example of how even once respected news organizations are turning into infotainment divisions.

[americanwhocares]

Thank you Mr Scalia.

[Cuzn]

I'm at a loss to understand why being busted for drugs and inexplicable sexually deviant behavior is not grounds for dismissal but blogging and having an opinion is? Why is blogging more embarrasing to CNN than Richard Quest's behavior. Apparently, morality, or lack thereof, is not part of their employees handbook. No wonder the TV news media is in a downward spiral. You have to read Huffington Post and other New Media outlets to get the real news. Hopefully, the CNN's of the world are headed for extinction. Just one man's opinion.