Midlands man could win big vacation on NBC’s “Live with Kelly and Ryan”

When Brian Hofferth’s number was called, he was ready. Now he is one of five finalists to win a luxury vacation to the Caribbean on NBC’s “Live with Kelly and Ryan.”

In May, the senior credit analyst from Irmo treated his wife, Beth, daughter, Sarah, and Sarah’s boyfriend, Watson Harris, to a trip to New York City to celebrate Sarah’s graduation from Lander University in Greenwood. The family got tickets to the national morning talk show.

All through the spring and summer, the show was running a “Live’s Show Us your Moves Contest” in which one audience member in 230 was chosen to bust a move at their seats. When co-host Kelly Ripa called out Hofferth’s number, he rolled out an arm-swinging, butt-spanking improvisation.

“I just did whatever came to mind,” he said. “I sit in a (cubical) every day, so when I get out I have to let loose some times. After the show (co-host) Ryan (Seacrest) asked me who I was spanking.”

The winner will receive a 6-day, 5-night trip for two to the St. James’s Club in Morgan Bay, St. Lucia. The show airs at 11 a.m. on WIS-TV.

On Tuesday, Ripa and Seacrest announced the five finalists on the program.

Viewers will pick the winner by voting on their favorite contestant’s video on “Live’s” website or by visiting “Live’s” Facebook page, Instagram and Twitter to “Like” or “Love” the contestant’s dance. Voting ends at 6 p.m. Wednesday with the winner to be revealed Friday.

“We were there in May so we’ve had to watch the last three months of my challengers,” Hofferth said. “We would tape the segments and say ‘Ah, we’re better than that,’ or ‘Oh, that could be trouble.’”

James Helton of Mount Pleasant also made the cut.

“These are basically the only five people who danced,” Ripa joked when announcing the finalists on Tuesday’s show.

Both men received a $500 gift card just for having their number called.

“It was a good day,” Hofferth said.