‘Survivor Caramoan: Fans vs. Favorites’ interview: Does Malcolm Freberg have regrets?

The joy that comes in interviewing someone like Malcolm Freberg of “Survivor Caramoan: Fans vs. Favorites” is that we could literally ask him questions for hours. While his game was flawed at times this season, you can tell that he loves “Survivor,” and he gave it his best all season long to ensure that he furthered himself in the game, but also entertained the public in a way that few can.

This passion led to a pretty fun chat with the two-time player this afternoon, including some discussion about whether or not he would return again, and if there is any way he could have played his overall game differently to avoid being such a huge target after the merge.

Cartermatt.com – While we could sit here and talk about a ton of different moments this season, is it hard to really have regrets over everything at tribal council since it was so crazy and all over the place the past few weeks?

Malcolm – You’re right. It was so dynamic, so it’s hard to pinpoint any one thing. Nothing went according to plan. Even getting rid of Phillip was not how that was supposed to go, either. But if there was one thing that I could go back and whisper in my ear as a reminder, it would be to have everyone on a shorter leash. [You had] Corinne running around to Dawn, Eddie spending time with Andrea. You have to have allies on a shorter leash; being left to their own devices is what I probably would have done differently.

I want to go back to the first episode, since I was listening to Rob Cesternino’s podcast last night night and there was a really good point in there. Was there a reason you and Corinne went with the Stealth R Us alliance over the other group, especially since there were already some pairs in there (Dawn / Cochran, Phillip / Andrea) and everyone else was playing more individually?

I can’t speak for Corinne, but for me it was about getting through that vote. I was the new kid, and I had no power at that point. I was just trying to find out where the majority was going, and that’s where I was going. They could have told me anyone’s name but me and that’s what I would have voted. It was a Sandra strategy, that first vote for me.

Back when Russell Hantz played twice in a row he talked about how exhausted he was by the time the game was over. Were you feeling some of that in here around the time you were voted off, and do you think it affected you?

I don’t regret any of the ideas I had that everyone has varying opinions on, but the exhaustion probably played a big factor in me going for broke before when people think it was absolutely necessary. Exhaustion was definitely there. When I was walking out in the rain I had the biggest smile on my face, and I couldn’t figure out why. But then, I said ‘Survivor’s finally over. Thank god.’

You say that, but would you go back for a third time if asked?

Yeah, there’s still that fire, because I need to win to prove to myself that I can do it. So it would be hard to say no.

What did you think about Malcolm’s game this time, and do you want to see him back again? If you want to get in-depth about last night’s episode, be sure to check out our full review here.

Photo: CBS