Okay, I'm reprinting this part of the TV Guide article because it was left out due to it beginning on a different page. The scanned picture and article began on page 26, but the Eric article actually began on page 25. Here goes:
While Eric Szmanda was visiting the island of Kauai this summer, his trip took a CSI-worthy turn when revelers recognized him at a bar. "They were coming up to me being very nice," says the soft-spoken actor, who has been earning accolades for his role as lovable lab technician-turned-investigator Greg Sanders ever since CSI debuted six years ago. But when Szmanda stepped away from the crowd of well-wishers, he says, "A big Samoan woman reached out. I thought she wanted to shake my hand, but she clocked me in the face!"
Eric was slapped in real life. I wonder if it was some kind of Samoan greeting custom? Maybe the woman didn't mean to hurt him, but to just "greet" him in a Samoan way. I'm not familiar with the customs of the people of the South Pacific, so I'm just guessing.
The rest of the article is shown in the scanned picture upthread.
I'm so pumped with excitement that Eric will be getting a juicy role! I intend to e-mail Carol Mendelsohn and thank her for finally giving Eric a great storyline. It would be nice if others did the same. Let's let the CSI producer know how much we love Greg and can't wait to see him in Season 7!