[tarheelswamprat]

Certainly what you describe, happens. I'm not at all convinced that Rick favors such.

He appears to be more the foolish, clueless celebrity type, unaware of how he is being manipulated and used.

[Quix]

Actually, I construe him as way above average in humility and more aware and alert than average. I doubt he's flawless, however.

[conservative blonde]

He is too full of himself to realize that he is being used.