Kenan Thompson to guest judge ‘America’s Got Talent’ for Simon Cowell

Kenan Thompson will serve as a guest judge on ‘America’s Got Talent’ for the September 1 Quarterfinals 3 episode. The ‘Saturday Night Live’ star is filling in for creator and judge Simon Cowell, who is recovering from a routine back procedure.

Cowell’s absence follows a recent operation that his representatives stated is not connected to a new major health crisis but is related to the spinal injuries sustained during a serious electric-bike accident in August 2020. Thompson previously stepped in for Cowell during that 2020 recovery period.

Thompson will join the existing judging panel, which includes Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, and Mel B, for the live episode.