Jennifer Hudson Show, Nov 22, 2024
Ever wondered how “The Jennifer Hudson Show” Spirit Tunnel went from a simple idea to viral sensation? For the first time ever, we’re giving an exclusive look at the heartwarming story behind this cherished tradition.
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Total # of views as of January 2, 2025 at 11:40 AM ET = 77,807
Total # of comments as of January 2, 2025 at 11:40 AM ET = 191
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Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87LuQgx7fJQ for "Jon Batiste: Watch the Episode! | The Jennifer Hudson Show" published by Jennifer Hudson Show, November 23, 2024
Multiple Grammy- and Oscar-winning artist Jon Batiste stops by to talk about his upcoming album “Beethoven Blues (Batiste Piano Series, Vol. 1).” Then, a 10-year-old viral sensation and bird-calling expert joins for a special moment with Jennifer Hudson!
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Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest update- January 4, 2025
This post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on Jennifer Hudson's morning talk shows' "Spirit Tunnels".
This post showcases a November 22, 2024 YouTube video whose title is "How ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’ Spirit Tunnel Became a Fan Favorite."
Information about what Jennifer Hudson calls "Spirit Tunnels" is presented in this pancocojams post along with some comments from that embedded video's discussion thread.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
Thanks to Jennifer Hudson and her staff for the Spirit Tunnels concept and performances. Thanks to all of the celebrities who are featured in these Spirit Tunnels. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/01/jennifer-hudson-talk-shows-spirit.html for the first post in this pancocojams series on The Jennifer Hudson Show's "Spirit Tunnels".
Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/01/similarities-and-differences-between.html "Similarities And Differences Between Soul Train Lines & Spirit Tunnels." That post is part three of this pancocojams series about Jennifer Hudson's Spirit Tunnels.
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INFORMATION ABOUT JENNIFER HUDSON'S "SPIRIT TUNNELS"
From https://jenniferhudsonshow.com/2024/10/16/spirit-tunnels/ "Behind the Magic: How ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’ Spirit Tunnels Became a Viral Sensation!" published by The Jennifer Hudson Show, October 16, 2024
" "We’ve got the spirit, yes we do! We’re bringing all
our energy straight to YOU!
When Jennifer Hudson welcomes a celebrity guest to “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” her show’s staff likes to pump them up with a boost of energy!
Gwen Stefani, Saweetie, GloRilla, and Common are just some of the stars who have been surprised with what JHud and her staff call the “Spirit Tunnel” – two lines of people hyping up the guest with chants and dance moves before they hit the stage!
[…]
You may have only recently seen clips of Victoria Monêt, Tia
Mowry, and the like rockin’ down the JHud hallway of joy, but this gleeful
tradition has been a regular fixture backstage at “The Jennifer Hudson Show”
since the very beginning!
JHud made her grand entrance in the show’s series premiere by walking between two lines of her pumped-up staff, high-fiving everyone along the way.
[no video given]
Then, Jennifer kicked off Season 2 by featuring the Spirit
Tunnel at the top of the show!
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njzXBDpOkz0
Season 2 Premiere: Monday October 2nd | The Jennifer Hudson Show, published by Jennifer Hudson Show, Oct 7, 2023]
There have been plenty of memorable Spirit Tunnel moments with Jennifer over the years:
[…]
The staff has even surprised Jennifer with a Spirit Tunnel outside the studio. Check out when they surprised her in the office for her birthday!
[…]
Inspired by how much fun JHud has, the staff began sending
guests down the Spirit Tunnel. In Season 2, JHud’s show staff hyped up Sherri
Shepherd as she walked to stage for her debut appearance on the show.
[…]
Season 3 started off with a BANG with the staff's Spirit Tunnel celebrating the legendary Angela Bassett.
[…]
We want YOU to feel the spirit too! Join the fun by filming your own Spirit Tunnel and sending it to us!
The Jennifer Hudson Show” airs weekdays."...
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The brackets in this quote either indicate that the words "watch tik tok videos were inserted", or a YouTube video was inserted, or I inserted a video that was referenced in that portion of that article.
I haven't come across a video of Sherri Shepherd's Spirit Tunnel yet. If you know of a link for that video, please share it in this post's comment section below.
I believe that the Angela Bassett's Spirit Tunnel video that was filmed on September 14, 2024 when she was the guest celebrity for the Jennifer Hudson Show's Season 3 Premiere was when Jennifer Hudson Spirit Tunnels began to go viral.
Click https://youtube.com/shorts/5JtIN1JM8Ps?si=735j6KOyVzAi2RCr for a YouTube video short of that Spirit Tunnel that was published by @9MagTV on September 14, 2024.
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The word "spirit" in the term "Spirit Tunnels" probably refers to people being spirited (i.e. energetic and/or enthusiastic as the word "spirit" is used in pep rallies. The word "spirit" in the term "Spirit Tunnels" also probably refers to raising a person or persons' spirit by directly or indirectly experiencing the performance art form that Jennifer Hudson named the "Spirit Tunnel".
In addition tot hose meanings of the word "spirit", when Jennifer Hudson created the term "Spirit Tunnel", she may have also used the word "spirit" as an abbreviation for the word "spiritual".
Here's a portion of a conversation that Jennifer Hudson had with her talk show guest actor Courtney B. Vance in November 21, 2004.
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQIIm9cNCRQ Courtney B. Vance Tries to Outshine Angela Bassett in the Spirit Tunnel. Nov. 21, 2024
from 1:50-2:57 of that video's automated transcription (with my addition of capitalizations and a transcription correction.)
Courtney B.Vance (CBV) "It's so wonderful the energy that you've created here ...just so real"
Jennifer Hudson (JH) "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
CBV -"Talk shows are...talk shows are tricky. And this one is is...I feel alive here I feel uh oh. I..
JH- "we love...we love hearing that. All of us. And having you here...
CBV - From everybody. I mean Miss Casey [referring to a specific staff person who the camera shows off stage] ...
JH- That's that spiritual feel... only as good as the people around. It's real. We we love each other. We enjoy each other. We we have a great time. And don't forget this amazing audience. Look at them. [The camera shows the audience who are smiling and clapping.]
The the the the thing is Courtney- hear me out- ....It takes us all to come together to create great energy....That's the goal each and every day here at the...what we call "The Happy Place"...We want to ... give you some joy and happiness and celebration"...
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Angela Basset is Courtney B. Vance's wife. She was one of the first celebrities to experience a "Spirit Tunnel" when she was the guest celebrity for the Jennifer Hudson Show's Season 3 Premiere on September 14, 2024. The YouTube video short of Angela Bassett's Spirit Tunnel went viral. As a result of his conversation with his wife about her Spirit Tunnel, and as a result of that video short going viral, Courtney B. Vance knew that he would likely be welcomed to Jennifer Hudson's Talk Show with his own version of the Spirit Tunnel.
In addition to those meanings for the word "spirit", my guess is that Jennifer Hudson also chose the name "Spirit Tunnel" for the hallway welcome/hype walk that is a pre-show feature of her daytime talk show because that term evokes the tradition and spirit of Historically Black College & University (HBCU) marching bands' tunnels. Thanks to their YouTube video shorts, Jennifer Hudson's Spirit Tunnels have gone viral.
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But why did Jennifer Hudson add the word "tunnel" to her term for her talk show's hallway walk instead of calling it something like... "hallway walk"?
My guess in naming that performance form "Spirit Tunnel" Jennifer Hudson was honoring and evoking the energy and spirit of Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU)'s marching band tunnel traditions.
https://www.reddit.com/r/marchingband/comments/g8yze5/hbcu_bands_an_overview/ HBCU-An Overview, 2019
"Tunnel- a tunnel is where the drum line forms a physical tunnel and the band marches through. Usually there are traditional movements and rituals that go on in the tunnel as well as a tunnel cadence. See NCAT’s Pfunk or NSU’s tunnel."
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/01/seven-youtube-videos-of-historical.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Seven YouTube Videos Of Historical Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Marching Band Tunnels."
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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD
These comments are numbered for referencing purposes only. All of these comments are from 2024.
1. @wilkersonarielle
"The Spirit Tunnel is a super genius idea...I LOVE IT😊"
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2. @johnjackson1466
"I love to see the diversity of her staff. Daytime Emmys let's give "The Jennifer Hudson Show" her flowers.🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆"
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Reply
3. @deborahthemisses
"Absolutely 🎉❤"
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Reply
4. @lamielemcmillan76
"Oh shes getting one."
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Reply
5. @michelleclark9551
"Yeah she deserve it...she has created something new and fun
with her show❤"
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6. @afrilifewealth8743
"I'm so glad she did this, the staff deserve this
recognition! "He ain't got no money
doo da doo doo da da"🤣🤣🤣"
**
7. @tyshawncorsey5561
"The Spirit Tunnel is my favorite thing about the show. 💜💜💜"
**
Reply
8. @DDD-re6vl
"Love it keep it coming"
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Reply
9. @rosemaryglover9119
"Love it it looks like so much fun😊"
**
10. @mphocliffmojapelo3076
"I love how the staff is soooo diverse!
It’s amazing. I remember Oprah having mostly 90% of white staff. This is what
we call Diversity in a work place. I’m here for it."
**
Reply
11.@mariarideout2322
"Those younger staff members will bring it everytime!!
SPIRIT TUNNEL ALWAYS!!"
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Reply
12. @gospel3067
"Sigh, Miss Oprah took over a show in Chicago before it
became the Oprah Winfrey show. I think
she kept on original staffers as she blew up."
**
Reply
13. @texasflower1212
"@gospel3067 Nope👎🏽 I don’t want
to hear it. Also, other than her best friend, the people she chose to
uplift…Dr. Oz, Dr. Phil, Rachel Ray, Nate Berkus. I see a pattern. When it came
to others, at least she helped some authors. I even see some HBCU going on in
JHud’s diversified Happy Place Spirit Tunnel show sta👏🏽
11/23/2024"
**
14. @maryelaineantoine7185
"The modern day soul train line is all it is 👍🏾
good job yall"
**
15. @shonestyles9813
"I’ll say it again…J. HUD’S spirit tunnel is EVERYTHING!!!!!!❤🙏🏼🙌🏼👏🏼🫶🏼"
**
16. @blackrussianterriersbymose8395
"Spirit tunnels put a smile on my face every time a new one
drops! The joy is infectious. So proud of the incredible work you’re all doing
at the show. Shoutout to Alexis—your passion and vision for turning spirit
tunnels into personal chants truly shine through, bringing so much energy and
joy to the JHud Show. It’s no wonder it’s called the Happy Place. Huge props to
everyone involved for bringing this vision to life and creating something so
special we all get to enjoy!!!"
17.
"Jennifer, I stumbled on the Spirit Tunnel by looking at your
shorts on your YouTube channel. It's a
GREAT idea. This lifted my spirit. Thanks for sharing a moment of happiness
shared with the people on the show."
**
18. @julietmoraa5106
"Somebody get me on that tunnel. I don't care whether I'll be
cheering or getting cheered 😂"
19.
"She is sooo dope and so is her staff! Such a beautiful
spirit 🤎"
20.
"The spirit tunnel is a daily blessing to me!!! It brings me
so much JOY!!!!🥰🥰🥰🥰💜💜💜💜💜💜"
**
21. @Fluuuv
" "Queen coming through" or whatever they said for
Angela Bassett was my fave 👏👏"
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Reply
22. @dorisb6364
"Mine was Blair underwood"
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23. @sheilarichard4610
"Kudos Jennifer to you and your STAFF for bringing joy to all
of our day. Awesome Awesome Awesome. I love it!"
**
24. @kjstarr2893
"Does anyone else watch these Spirit Tunnel clips on repeat,
and then you look forward to the next one? Love ❤Love Love!"
**
25. @tracihead1735
"I love watching them and they get me hype and happy just
watching them. Tell me you love your job without telling me you love your job👏🏽👏🏽"
**
26. @debbiem6406
"What a wonderful coming together of unabashed joyful, happy,
affirming love before a guest goes on stage. Brilliant!"
**
27. @eulahpeerycoward5081
"I love dancing and enjoying seeing the different people do
the spirit tunnel. It puts a smile on my face.😊😊😊😊"
**
28. @fionagriffith8481
"I look forward to this "Happy
Place," everyday. I especially loved Courtney B. He was one of the BEST"
**
29. @radiantlove9232
"I love watching the Spirit Tunnel shorts! Definitely one of
my happy places! 😃 As I watch the genuine
joy and fun the guests are experiecing, I can't help but feel it too! Thank you
all for bringing such great cheer to the world! 😃💖"
**
30. @stigmaslayerbae1202
"This is ABSOLUTELY the video I’ve hoped
to stumble upon! I’m obsessed with Spirit Tunnel & wish I could watch every
one in chronological order! It’s sooo joyous for me!"
**
31. @johnjackson1466
"GloRilla was my favorite Spirit Tunnel
guest."
**
32. @EverEssence4790
"Everybody needs a Spirit Tunnel just to
get through this thing called LIFE 🎉🎉❤❤🙌🏾🙌🏾"
**
33. @TMYPiscesSunandMoonRising5548
"We all deserve a happy place 💯👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾"
**
34. @TralynnBerry
"I do love the spirit tunnels!!! I love
each and every guests that comes through and to see their happiness. Fantastic
job staff!!!"
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35. @lbell5185
"God bless the JHud staff. We need these
right now. Really does put us in a happy
place.😊"
**
36. @TaniaPatterson777
"I love the idea of the tunnel 🎉✅🫶🏽.
Great job and ideas from all the staff and Jennifer😎💞🥳🤗"
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37. @desireejackson7170
"I love the SPIRIT TUNNEL it is so LIT
and the GUEST love it the guest r so surprised and they love it just as much as
we done what a way to make FUN and comfortable for all Shout out to the
Jennifer Staff."
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38. @evelyntorres2935
"It is so entertaining and uplifting to
watch guests' reactions as they walk and then dance through the Spirit Tunnel.
You can tell the guests and staff are bonding and having a good time. So
touching."
**
39. @estiascott4242
"OMG! I love the Spirit Tunnel! I need
one every time I walk out of the house lol 😭"
**
40. @pumlakambule8297
"Wow 👌 Your Staff is Awesome.
I make sure to watch the Spirit Tunnel everyday
Yippie❤❤❤"
**
41. @GratitudeGriot
"thank youuuuu!!! i've been wanting this
behind the scenes so bad!! super duper staff!! yall did this spirit tunnel idea
🙌🏾"
**
42. @AngelaSealy-g2g
"It's so amazing and uplifting. Keep it
up ladies and gents."
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43. @thebusybees2006
"Jennifer, I love the spirit tunnel!
Does it take long to come up with the cheers? Whoever thought of this was
genius !"
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44. @DonnettaJackson-ht6pb
"I love the spirit tunnel, it sets the
tone for the whole show!!! 😀"
**
45. @mauricesnell5886
"Love the Spirit Tunnel, which was a
clever idea! This is an impromptu "Soul Train" line and then
certainly gravitate to the show. And of course, this is a Happy Place filled
with joy and laughter. Props for orchestrating this idea."
**
46. @charrington1356
"Proud of you, and your staff,
JHud. Yes, we all should design our own
Spirit Tunnel. Fun."
**
47. @lavenberry
"I'm definitely here for the Spirit
Tunnel. ✨Angela Bassett, Gwen Stefani and Flavor Flav (cause I really like him)
are some of the best. Great way to uplift people. We all need one."
**
48. @melbaknowlton
"I love to see guests come out into the
Spirit tunnel! Some are like wow what do I do 😂and others just fit
right in and go with the flow. Jennifer spirit tunnel has definitely elevated
the talk show game!"
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49. @smiller0612
"Ciara, Tia, Blair Underwood, Christina
Milian & Wayans Sr , Jr are my top favorites"
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Reply
50. @dorisb6364
"Gwen S
was one of my favorite"
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Reply
51. @deannawillis710
"I love em all"
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52. @tonjacross3806
"I love “The Happy Tunnel!” My favorites
so far was Angela Basset, Common & Damon and his son!! Oh wait! I knew
Derrick from DWTS had to crush it!! 😂🎊👏🏾❤️"
**
53. @angellab-c1690
"I love the spirit tunnel! I wish they did this at my office.
😂❤"
**
54, @popcorn526
"Well done staff!!!🎉"
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55. @chichirenn2372
"TOO COOL, I LOVE THE “HE AIN’T GOT NO MONEY” FUNNY CREATIVE
VIDEO 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂"
**
56. @bklynkat23
"Shout-out to Fallon the social media manager who records
them. Walking backwards and still dialed in and not missing a beat"
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57. @TradeWynn65
"I want to walk the spirit tunnel 😂"
Reply
58.
"Me too. Look likes so much fun. Can I join you all? Boo yay!"
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Reply
59. @Myblackisbeautiful100
"lol me too! 😂"
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Reply
60. @deborahthemisses
"Me Too.. talk about
boosting the morale and building positive work relationships. You get a raise
and you get a raise and you get a raise"
**
Reply
61. @rosemaryglover9119
"Can I join you all😂"
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62. @keelane2575
"JENNIFER!!! You need to TRADEMARK THIS SPIRIT TUNNEL bc i
dont want to see any other show try it 😂😂😂😂❤‼️ Yal ROCK"
**
63. @IamSimplySilver
"O my I missed Terrance Howard and John Legend; where's their
clip. Come on Jenn lol"
64.
"The Spirit Tunnel is the new Soul Train Line! Thanks Y'all!"
65.
"Let's see how long it takes for this to be copied!!"
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66. @BillCosbyTouchedMyDoodle
"Are the guests genuinely surprised when they come around the
corner, or are they informed beforehand that they will be welcomed with a soul
train? Contrary to popular belief, a lot
of celebrities are painfully shy and/or introverts and therefore are
comfortable in their own skin only when they're "on." "
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Reply
67. @candyKane117i
"They should know by now cause the videos have gone viral all
over the internet"
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68. @fixyourface9847
"Sooo, the Soul Train Line? Got it..."
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