Kenan Thompson to replace Simon Cowell on ‘America’s Got Talent’

Simon Cowell will be absent from the judging panel of ‘America’s Got Talent’ for several weeks to undergo routine back surgery. A representative confirmed the procedure is non-emergency, though Cowell has managed ongoing back issues for over five years following a serious e-bike accident in 2020.

Kenan Thompson, a long-time cast member of ‘Saturday Night Live’, has been announced as the guest judge filling Cowell’s seat. Thompson is scheduled to appear starting Tuesday, September 1. This is not Thompson’s first time filling in for Cowell; he previously served as a guest judge during the 2020 quarterfinals.

The show’s current judging panel includes Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, and Mel B. While an exact return date for Cowell has not been established, he is expected to return within a few weeks, potentially in time for the semifinals or the season finale.