Quest

Episode 28

Best of Quest 2007

This month, Richard Quest takes a break from life on the road, to look back at some of the Quest show’s high points from 2007 – it was another year of unforgettable encounters, in far-flung places.

The year began with a search for poise and rhythm – the art of dancing. We soon discovered that Quest was no Fred Astaire. Yet, with the help of some of the world’s best movers and shakers, he managed to Cha Cha and Rumba his way onto the television phenomenon “Dancing with the Stars”, in front of ten thousand people. On his journey towards this terrifying finale, inspiration came from award-winning choreographer Twyla Tharp and Patrick Swayze, the actor who will always be known for dirty dancing.

Back in March, the show turned its attention to the plight of the environment. With the likes of Al Gore campaigning his way to a Noble Peace Prize, Quest set out to grapple with some of the key issues. For that, he traveled to the forests of Cameroon, in the heart of the Congo Basin - indigenous people, wildlife and logging companies all compete for dwindling resources and as Quest discovers, time is running out.

On Quest for Rock ‘n’ Roll, it became clear that the music was only part of the story – it’s what lies behind it, that’s equally important. It is a genre that speaks of freedom and rebellion - an important voice to challenge the status quo. This spirit was perfectly epitomized by movie actress Juliette Lewis who has swapped Hollywood for a life on the road with her band. There is, of course, a dark side to the industry that couldn’t be ignored – Nikki Sixx of the 80s band Mötley Crüe, gave us a fascinating insight into the self-destructive nature of the clichéd lifestyle that so nearly killed him.

When it came to getting answers about the Oscar campaign in 2007, Hollywood's red carpets were the perfect hunting ground. Throughout the long award season, Quest met many of the stars for whom it has, would or will mean so much to win one of those coveted gold statues. It was though, an afternoon tea, with Jeremy Irons that gave the best insight into the magic of ‘Oscar’.

November took Quest on a journey to meet the extraordinary men and women who dedicate their lives to promoting world peace. He met former leaders like Jimmy Carter and Mikhail Gorbachev and joined the UN’s peace-keeping forces on the streets of Timor-Leste. Among the celebrity activists, actress Mia Farrow has put her name, reputation and personal safety firmly on the frontline, to help end the bloody tribal conflict in Sudan’s Darfur region - she is testament to what one passionate individual can achieve to bring hope to those blighted by war.

The final part of the show tackles the concept of exploration. Frostbite, exhaustion and broken bones are just some of the perils endured by the great explorers as they go to the ends of the Earth to further our knowledge. The unique make-up of people like Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Sylvia Earle and Mike Horn, is what turns ordinary men and women into human machines. It turns our normal curiosity into their insatiable drive to discover. Eager for his own adventure, Quest takes off to the Himalayas of Tibet in search of a remote monastery, 4500 metres in the sky. Despite having experienced Chinese explorer Wong How Man by his side, we wonder whether Quest will be able to face up to the harsh realities of an explorer’s life? Find out on this month’s Best of Quest.