Noah Wyle made it clear that dancing isn’t really his thing during his recent appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show. When the ER alum, 53, opted out of the show’s signature “spirit tunnel”—where guests walk down a hallway while staff members cheer and sing—host Jennifer Hudson couldn’t resist asking why.
Wyle revealed that his reluctance stemmed from a particularly awkward teenage memory. Back in 1984, he attempted to breakdance at a classmate’s bar mitzvah to Herbie Hancock’s Rockit—only to completely botch his attempt at “the worm.”
“I got into some kind of inverted position, and it all collapsed on me,” he admitted. The embarrassing moment left such a lasting impression that, 41 years later, he’s sworn off public dancing.
“I would’ve been cringing and saying, ‘No, no, no,’” he joked, adding that he didn’t want to subject anyone to that. Still, he promised Hudson he’d consider baby steps next time. “Only if you’re comfortable,” the singer and host reassured him. “We’re just happy to have you here.”
The conversation then shifted to Wyle’s ER days, when he and his costars used to race each other on bikes—prompting Hudson to challenge him to a friendly competition on his next visit.
“Deal,” Wyle agreed, shaking her hand before playfully admitting, “I’m embarrassed that I didn’t do the tunnel. I want to do the tunnel next time.”
Despite his initial hesitation, the show’s Instagram later shared a behind-the-scenes clip of Wyle almost attempting the spirit tunnel, with staff cheering him on. The post was captioned, “We’re giving Noah Wyle a hall pass for skipping our Spirit Tunnel 🫶🏾.”
Hudson summed it up best: “We just want you to celebrate yourself. It’s all about how you choose to experience the spirit tunnel.”
