[albie]

Yes, they're all a bit fake.

But he is a coward too. If most of the people in the house had been like Shabhaz then Richard would have acted just like them, camping it up.
But as soon as he realised they weren't he toned it down. He conformed.

Because Shabhaz didn't he became a target for Richard's own self shame.
And has now used that hatred of Shabhaz to gain popularity in the house. They all crowd around him. Follow his commands.

He's a coward, and boring.