Preacher wants to be a 'Survivor'

It's a weekly tradition at the Redding home.

"We are huge 'Survivor' fans at our house," LuEllen Redding said of the hit CBS reality show. "It's our weekly television ritual to order pizza and watch 'Survivor' on Thursday nights."

LuEllen and Bill Redding and their children, Lilli and Emmett, also spend a lot of time around swimming pools.

Lilli competed on the Florence Parks and Recreation Department swim team, which Larry Baskin, pastor at Grace Church in Florence, helps coach. The family thinks the world of Baskin and is amazed at how physically fit the 57-year-old has remained.

That's why his name recently came up when the Reddings were watching their favorite show.

"We heard there would be a casting call in Huntsville and discussed who'd be the perfect candidate," LuEllen Redding said.

That's when Lilli suggested Baskin, and the family immediately knew they had to call him with the idea.

Baskin decided to give it a shot and headed to Huntsville to an initial audition in June. "I stood in front of a camera and did a little two-minute talk on why I would be the ultimate survivor," he said. "I talked about my lifestyle and active life I live, and told them Lilli's story. I told them I'd do it for my kids. I'd do it for my swim team."

Tuesday evening was another step in the selection process. Applicants have to put together a three-minute videotape. "These range from zany and silly to the genuine article of who are you and why would you survive," Baskin said.

So, Baskin and dozens upon dozens of his closest friends went to McFarland Park on Tuesday evening to film it. He hopes when the show's producers see the tremendous support he has, they'll be inclined to select him.

His emphasis is on the importance of God and his family in his life.

It'll be autumn or even into December before a decision is made, he said.

Baskin, his wife and four sons are into fitness. In fact, Baskin has been involved in 14 marathons and belongs to a group called the Shoals Sharks Master's Swimmers.

"I dragged my whole family into a 12-mile relay from Wheeler Dam to Wilson Dam last year," he said.

He hopes the show's producers will be intrigued by the notion of having a religious family man on the show. That would be different from a number of people who have been on the program. Some contestants are backstabbing and ruthless.

The show challenges 16 contestants to live on a deserted island for about six weeks. They have to live under difficult conditions and try to get along during various challenges. One by one, the contestants are voted off the show until a sole survivor remains.

"They try to put a collection of humanity that maybe gets dysfunctional and usually figures itself out until there's a winner in it all," he said. "You make alliances, and you try to be cooperative and use your gifts.

"You have to remember it's a game, and I'd like to win it and would do it to win it, but without any of the devices that some people feel they have to use."

He's receiving a lot of calls from the show's producers these days. "I guess they are putting together their 16 and want to get to know you," Baskin said. "I hope to get it, but if I don't, that'll be fine, too. I've got a full and fulfilling life already."

And if he does, the Reddings will have an additional reason to watch their favorite show.

"He's a great example for the swim team, a great coach, great dad and in amazing shape," LuEllen Redding said. "He has a doctorate in theology and is just a great guy. I don't know how anybody could find fault with him."

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 740-5739 or bernie.delinski@TimesDaily.com.