If anyone out there cares, Survivor: Gabon – Earth’s Last Eden premieres tonight. Who knew the show was even still on the air? But, in fact it is, and in its 17th season no less.
 

For all of you out there in need of a quick geography lesson, Gabon is in Africa. However, the show hits much closer to home since a real, live Emory grad is a contestant. Marcus Lehman attended Emory Medical School and then took that valuable education with him all the way to Survivor.
 

The season hasn’t even started, though, and we’re already hearing that the good doctor may not be so good after all. Host Jeff Probst told Entertainment Weekly that Lehman, 28, is “one of the most arrogant guys that we’ve had on the show.” And if you’ve seen any episode of the show ever, you know that says something.
 

However, since the interview, Lehman’s loyal friends have come out of the woodwork to defend him. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution indulges them:

“I am surprised Jeff Probst said those things,” said Craig Lammert, his roommate in Jacksonville, Fla., in an email. “Marc is a decent and honest guy. He isn’t afraid to say things that others would be afraid to say.”

Lammert said he doesn’t think Lehman is going out of his way for attention. “He took this opportunity to do something different,” he said, “not to become a celebrity.”

Right, so the guy graduated from med school and instead of using these skills to heal the sick, he signed up for a reality TV show? Yeah, he’s not a fame seeker or anything.
 

Don’t worry, though, Lehman will probably make it to Z-list celebrity status at best. That’s got to be good enough to score him a one-night stand with Tila Tequila. Then, thanks to his training, he can check himself for STDs.