Gold Rush' Most Hated Star is Actually the One Keeping the Show Alive
In the world of reality television, it's not uncommon for a show's success to hinge on the emotions the cast members invoke in the audience.
And when it comes to the Discovery hit series Gold Rush, no one causes more online discussions among fans than Fred Lewis, making him one of the most polarizing figures on the show.
But while he may be the miner viewers love to hate, there's no denying that he's also keeping the show alive. Fred Lewis first appeared in Gold Rush during its third season as a medic for Parker's team.
Although he demonstrated his ability to handle tough situations and take on new challenges, the numerous badly thought-out decisions he made throughout his time on the show quickly made him one of the most disliked stars of the entire series.
Before finding his way into the world of gold mining, Lewis had a varied career path. He served as a Green Beret and Special Forces Medic, using his training in various locations such as Afghanistan and Iraq.
After leaving the military, he moved from one job to another, taking on various roles, including teaching biology and history in schools.
Despite earning a master's degree in education and a bachelor's degree in science of web design, Fred struggled to find his true calling until he tried himself out in gold mining.
Since Fred joined the reality series, he has certainly made a name for himself among the show's fans, whose opinions of him are as diverse as they come.
On the one hand, some can't help but be amazed by the sheer number of bad decisions Fred seems to make, declaring that they've never seen anyone make so many poor choices before.
And many of those who used to root for him now tune in each week just to see how he's going to mess up this time.
Some also point out that Fred shows us the stark contrast between an amateur prospector and a professional miner and that his lack of experience and know-how is both entertaining and educational.
On the other hand, there are viewers who are more critical of Fred's abilities, calling him "frighteningly incompetent."
They're convinced he's a liability to the team and that his insufficient knowledge could be dangerous in a high-stakes environment like gold mining.
But despite the criticism, Fred has also earned a legion of fans who have come to appreciate his contribution to the show as a source of comic relief, stating that Fred is their favorite part of the show precisely because of his lack of knowledge and experience, which they find amusing.
In fact, some viewers even suggest in his defense that people can either enjoy the chaos he brings to the show or simply fast forward through his segments.
While some fans may find Fred's constant mistakes and poor decision-making frustrating, it seems that there are plenty of viewers who simply can't get enough of his entertaining antics.
Whether he's striking gold or striking out, Fred Lewis has captured the hearts of many fans with his unique blend of enthusiasm, determination and, yes, occasional cluelessness.
Love him or hate him, one thing's for sure – the show's viewership relies on Fred, as without him, there would be no reason for fans to complain.