‘Survivor Cambodia: Second Chance’ exclusive: Keith Nale on Kimmi’s exit, voting for Jeremy, more

We’ve had a great opportunity this morning to talk “Survivor” with all of the final six players, but we’re concluding things right now by chatting with none other than the great Keith Nale. He’s one of the greatest characters we’ve seen on the show, but this season he ran into a brick wall of strategists who seemed ready to make some big, cutthroat moves. He did make it all the way to fifth place, but unlike last season it never appeared that he was #1 on the list of threats to win the game.

Take a look below at Keith’s thoughts on almost leaving so Kimmi could stay, whether or not it is easier for him to get over this season, and what his son and former “San Juan del Sur” cast member Wes thought about his gameplay this time.

CarterMatt – Keith, I just got done talking with Kimmi about you almost wanting to go to ‘the house’ over her at that final six tribal council. Did you just think in that moment that you were going to be the next to be voted out, anyway?

Keith Nale – Yeah, that’s about [it]. That tribal council had gone on so long that I just about got fed up with it. I just said ‘hell, let Kimmi go. I’m done with this.’ It takes a toll on ya; you just pop off  with stuff at the mouth. That’s how mine was.

I think where a lot of people connect with you is that you’re willing to admit at times how miserable it can be out there. What was worse for you: Dealing with some of the physical conditions or the mental stress of alliances and things changing every second?

I had just learned about alliances and stuff like this, and then all of a sudden there’s these voting blocks and stuff like that and I don’t have a clue what’s going on. Physically yeah, you can see all six of us at the end. We’re struggling. Mentally, it’s just as hard.

You had people out there this season in Kelley and Jeremy who you’d spent time with before, and Jeremy you had even gotten into it with him at one point on ‘San Juan del Sur.’ How did you leave that stuff in the past to just focus on this game?

That’s hard. Me and Jeremy did talk at first. We got our differences aside … I don’t know, man. I don’t think I’m still over it, to tell you the truth.

Was this season easier for you to get over? Last time time you were really one challenge win away from maybe winning, but does this haunt you as much?

After the first time around I said ‘I’ve learned something. I’m gonna go out the second time around and we’re gonna do some damage! After it’s all said and done I come in fifth. I’m going backwards, instead of coming in fourth. Something’s gotta give! I can’t figure it out.

I want to talk about this challenge between you and Joe, which obviously led to a medical situation for him. It had to feel good to defeat the golden boy, as you called him, but at the same time I know you were close to him out there and he was going to be voted out.

You’re right. I liked Joe, but you can only come in second so many times! I’m going against the chosen one, and I didn’t vote for Joe. I’m glad for that because I liked Joe, but he did go home that night. The proudest part was that I’m fifty-something and here’s this guy in his twenties. I was goin’ down right behind him, if you know what I mean. (Laughs.)

What’s your son Wes thought about you being out there this time?

He’s enjoyed it. He likes watching it too! I think he would’ve liked to be there, as well; he was sort of my whole campaign manager for this whole thing. I don’t do much social media and I figured ‘oh heck, I’ll never make it in there with this bunch.’ Next thing you know, I’m off to Cambodia!

In the end you did vote for Jeremy to win. Was it his story at the end or anything else that caused you to sway towards him?

I told everybody that when it comes to Val and him having the little boy, I’m proud for him. But whether Val was pregnant or not, I was going to vote for Jeremy. I didn’t have much for Tasha or Spencer.

Okay Keith, any interest in going back?

I dunno, if you were to ask me that if I was 28, 38, 48, I think I’d be good to do it again. But I think I’m over the hump! Like I said earlier I’m going the wrong direction. I don’t want to come in sixth next time, so I think I’m pretty much done.

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