We're already getting crushed by the chameleon in this game. I think every added player makes it significantly more chameleon favored. Seven is too many.
Is there anything to be done to help the village? I'd rather not do the thing where we all give nearly impossible clues and clear ourselves through little hints. At some point, you might as well stop giving the clues entirely.
I think the game is best played as a turbo with about 7-minute rounds. Less discussion sort of seems chameleon favored, but I actually think it would end up helping the village more. The chameleon will figure out the word much less often.
I brought up a whispering mechanic. Two players can whisper, with the downside that if you whisper with the chameleon they are given the word after voting, or something. It might help slightly.