Singer-turned-talk show host Jennifer Hudson is thriving.
“The Jennifer Hudson Show,” which was renewed for a fifth season in March, has spawned a litany of viewers on television as well as online. However, viewership of the behind the scenes moments have become increasingly popular.
Enter: Spirit Tunnels. These are the moments between the guests leaving the green room and appearing on stage. Workers at the show line the hallway, singing a parodic song that more often than not pertains to the show’s guest. It’s equal parts entertaining and endearing.
As the show celebrates its 500th episode, let’s take a look at how the tunnels are made, where they began and the hundreds of millions of people who’ve enjoyed them.
TikTok Fresh
TikTok has quickly become the go-to outlet for audience interaction. “The Jennifer Hudson Show” puts on a masterclass every time they release a Spirit Tunnel video. The Hollywood Reporter was able to go behind the scenes of what it takes for the staff to create one of these viral moments.
1). Yes, they do indeed practice the songs. There’s a staff-only group chat filled with lyrics and audio notes.
2). They also make unique songs for host Hudson.
3). “The Jennifer Hudson Show” tapes three shows a week. That’s roughly six songs a week for everyone participating to learn.
The Spirit Tunnel hasn’t been a staple for that long. Launching in the second season, they were a way to hype up Hudson during a time when she was the original hype person.
“I would come in with a boom box like, ‘We need to wake this place up.’ Then, all of a sudden, I would come out the door and they’re all lined up singing. I said we need to show this to the world so people can understand the energy that the spirit tunnel holds and the Happy Place,” she tells THR.
More Than Spirit Fingers
Here are the top performing Spirit Tunnels from “The Jennifer Hudson Show.”
The Most Viewed:
Lee Jung-jae – 120.7 Million
Shemar Moore – 92.2 Million – Tune: “Survivor” – Destiny’s Child
Aaron Pierre – 69.7 Million
Kevin Hart – 69.2 Million – Tune: “Just Wanna Rock” – Lil Uzi Vert
Saweetie – 53.3 Million – Tune: “Icy” – Saweetie
Ellen Pompeo – 43 Million – Tune: “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” – Taylor Swift
Keke Palmer – 38.9 Million – Tune: “Change It Up (True Jackson, VP Theme Song)” – Keke Palmer
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500 Episodes, 100+ Spirit Tunnels & Millions of Views: Jennifer Hudson’s Best Tunnel TikToks