Each weekday, EW will post the answers from a different player.
Malcolm Freberg is aSurvivorproducer’s dream.
Hold up, bro… it’s time to read Malcolm’s Quarantine Questionnaire.
Malcolm Freberg on ‘Survivor: Game Changers’.Robert Voets/CBS
MALCOLM FREBERG:I got fat.
This did no favors for my midsection.
But because the world’s about to open back up, my diet started yesterday.
Malcolm Freberg on ‘Survivor: Philippines’.Monty Brinton/CBS
Twenty-four hours in and I’ve discovered that losing weight is much less fun than gaining it.
My lunch today is celery and tears.
I’ve been very fortunate to stay busy during the past year.
Malcolm Freberg on ‘Survivor: Game Changers’.Timothy Kuratek/CBS
Oh, and I just got a dog.
What is your proudest moment ever from playingSurvivor?
True story: I came up with the concept of that move before landing on the island.
The move to boot Phillip inCaramoanwas essentially a doubled-down version of the same gambit.
Because I had a crazy idea one night months beforePhilippinesstarted, we now have live Tribal Councils.
I’m so sorry.
One more bonus moment.
Had goosebumps in the moment.
What is your biggest regret from yourSurvivorexperiences?
You have to understand, I came onSurvivorwith a massive chip on my shoulder.
Obviously, it didn’t work out that way, but the first hurdle in my path was Russ.
I cussed under my breath when I saw the returnees approaching our boat on day one ofPhilippines.
I would have acted bullheaded toward whichever of the three former players landed on my tribe.
And don’t get me wrong, Russ wasa loton the island.
Not the same with Russ.
Russ is good people.
But that wasn’t Denise and my only play.
A good pro tip for you up-and-comers.
Brandon obviously couldn’t stand Phillip either.
He knew the plan, knew who was behind it, could have burned mine and Corinne’s game.
But he didn’t.
How do you feel about the edit you got on the show?
I don’t think I’m allowed to complain.
I’ve got every title except the one that matters at this point.
I won that CBS.com Ultimate Survivor bracket a few years ago (thanks, recency bias!
Example: Say the final challenge inPhilippinesis anything that doesn’t require steady hands.
If you ever get on the show, don’t let the hatersor the praisego to your head.
What was it like coming back to regular society after being out there?
Was there culture shock or an adjustment coming back?
Not so strange after playingPhilippinesandCaramoanback-to-back.
Thing is, I was still pining for adventure after the underwhelming experience ofG.C.
(thanks, J.T.).
So I quit trying to settle into real life and just left again.
Hit six continents and about 25 countries.
That phase was partially spurred by opportunity.
Like I mentioned, I’ve worked as a creative professional for about a decade.
Those little instances of “regret” were fueled by my own insecurity.
But that phase passed way back.
Nowadays, I just take the work regardless of the client’s motivation and avoid the introspection.
Whom do you still talk, text, or email with the most from your seasons?
These days, it’s 80 percent Denise and Aubry, and occasional check-ins with a handful of others.
Yes, you should be jealous.
I’ve never really fallen out with anyone from the show…
I don’t think?
I just drift away over time.
It seems to surprise people when I explain that I’m aggressively introverted.
Suffice to say, a lot of great people, a lot of great times.
I fell out of watching the show afterGame Changers.
Though I obviously had to watchWinners at Warso I could shout unbridled support for Denise on the internet.
which seasons I recommend.
Told himPearl Islands,China, andCagayan.
A good sampling across the eras, I think.
Who’s one player from anotherSurvivorseason you wish you could have played with or against and why?
I’ve never really considered this before, and honestly no one springs to mind.
Have fun speculating on that enigmatic little admission…
If you could make one change to any aspect ofSurvivor, what would it be and why?
I’ve ranted and raved on Twitter on this topic plenty in recent years.
I don’t have just one gripe, I’ve got eleventy and a half.
And this is coming from someone whose run on the show was pretty much defined by idols.
Probst’s oft-repeated mantra of “InSurvivor, you’ve got to be ready for anything” is ruiningSurvivor.
Finally, would you play again if asked?
The answer isn’t an immediate"YES!"
like it was when I was younger.
Then again, it’s always hard to say no.
And I still need a Sole Survivor title.
So we’ll see.
