LAST EDITED ON 05-09-08 AT 07:33 AM (EST)

I know I'm probably going to get clobbered here, but I just have to say I think Erik was great. He was a true fan of Survivor, as evidenced by his winning the Survivor trivia Reward challenge. He wasn't a "student" of the game, like Todd last season who could strategize with the best of them, but a true star-struck fan who loved the game and the players. He was the "wide-eyed kid in the candy store", Ozzy loved his innocence and enthusiasm about every new thing and so did I. He played his heart out and to the best of his abilities, and much like Jason this week in American Idol, he was just out of his element. The great thing is, he will probably have just as good a time at Ponderosa and on the jury as he did in the game. Good job, Erik! It was great fun watching you.

ETA - I started a new thread because 1)I don't believe "Erik is an idiot", and 2)if anything I thought that thread might belong on Bashers

• RE: in defense of "fans",nailbone, 10:19 AM, 05-09-08
• RE: in defense of "fans",jbug, 10:24 AM, 05-09-08
• RE: in defense of "fans",Ahtumbreez, 10:59 AM, 05-09-08
• RE: in defense of "fans",PsychoKitty, 07:47 PM, 05-09-08
• RE: in defense of "fans",miracle1969mets, 08:28 PM, 05-09-08
  • RE: in defense of "fans",garcor, 09:13 AM, 05-10-08
    • RE: in defense of "fans",mindy23, 09:43 AM, 05-10-08
      • RE: in defense of "fans",XXL Survivor, 10:22 AM, 05-11-08

The great thing is, he will probably have just as good a time at Ponderosa and on the jury as he did in the game.

I made that same comment to DW last night. Even in his final words, he's so star-struck by it all that getting to spend more time with his idol, Ozzy, and the rest will make up for any "stupidest move" comments he'll hear.

Erik knew facts of previous seasons yes, but didn't appear to have studied the strategy used in all those seasons.
Ice cream scooper 'man' indeed!

Tribe shakes me

I have to say I liked Erik 100% more than SurvivorJason, not to be confused with my IdolJason.

It was kind of refreshing to see such innocent enthusiasm. And to have made it to the Final Five is an accomplishment that he can relish while listening to the laughs.

It was a funny episode though

Erik's saving grace is that he is completely guileless. May he keep his sense of discovery all his life. I just hope he learns to be more observant and wary too!

Not that I have an opinion one way or another ;)
Signature by tribephyl

Erik seems like a good guy. A little naive at times, like was said on the show, but he is a true fan. He has enjoyed the entire experience, and was admittedly star struck. For him, just hanging out with the favorites was cool. If you can get over the big blunder and allowing the women to manipulate him, it's nice to see how much he appreciates the opportunity and hasn't dwelled too much on his mistake.

LAST EDITED ON 05-10-08 AT 09:15 AM (EST)

Kind of liked Erik too.

Almost all of the fans were at a disadvantage, competing with people who had played before (and in the case of Amanda and James, had played recently) and I think it showed. No doubt it's a lot harder than it looks for most players. Only Tracy, Alexis and Natalie appeared able to hold their own when it came to strategy. Joel and Jason were flat out disasters when it came to strategy.

I was really rooting for Ice Cream MAN, too! He grew a lot this season, and it was just refreshing to see ONE contestant there without any other agenda then just to BE! He is one cool kid, who was fulfilling his fantasy to be with his heros, which he did. He just forgot for a moment, in the midst of all the guilt that those women poured on him, that this is a million dollar game! Not to ever be side-stepped.

It was adorable when his brother came, and he said, 'this is FREAKING JEFF PROBST!' to him!
I think we'll all remember his gullibility, and yes, he will go down as being totally eaten by those women, but it happened to many a pro before him. So, IMHO, he can hold his head up high, and sit on that jury with Ozzie, and Eliza, and James and any of the others who have gone before!! GREAT JOB, ERIK!! I'll take a 3 scooper-but I don't think you'll have to deal with scooping out ice cream anymore, buddy!!

I agree that Erik's innocence and enthusiasm are refreshing. Too bad that after this experience being embarassed and made a laughingstock on national TV he will likely turn into a bitter, hateful man.