Kenan Thompson fills in for Simon Cowell on America's Got Talent
Simon Cowell is temporarily off America's Got Talent Season 21 while he recovers from routine back surgery linked to his 2020 e-bike accident, and Kenan Thompson will fill his seat as the first guest judge on Tuesday, September 1, during Quarterfinals Round 3. NBC confirmed the Saturday Night Live veteran's return to the panel alongside Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, and host Terry Crews.
Key Takeaways
- Simon Cowell missed AGT Quarterfinals live shows starting August 25 for a non-emergency back procedure that could not be postponed.
- Kenan Thompson guest-judges Quarterfinals Round 3 on September 1—the first of several planned fill-ins this season.
- Thompson previously subbed for Cowell during 2020 live quarterfinals after Cowell's spinal injury from an e-bike crash.
- Host Terry Crews said Cowell expects to return to the judges' table as soon as he recovers.
- Additional guest judges for Cowell's remaining absences have not yet been announced.
Why Is Simon Cowell Missing From AGT?
Simon Cowell stepped away from the judging panel during Season 21 Quarterfinals to undergo back surgery described as routine. The procedure stems from the serious electric bike accident he suffered in August 2020, which caused complex spinal injuries and required roughly six hours of surgery.
At the top of the August 25 Quarterfinals Round 2 episode, host Terry Crews told viewers Cowell was having an operation that "cannot be postponed." Crews added: "It's not an emergency, but it can't be put off." He wished Cowell a speedy recovery and said the panel looked forward to his return.
Cowell, 66, has undergone multiple operations since the 2020 crash. In 2022, he was hospitalized after another e-bike accident that left him with a broken arm and facial bruising, though those injuries were less severe. The same pattern played out during Britain's Got Talent in 2020, when Ashley Banjo temporarily replaced him.
Who Is Replacing Simon Cowell on the Judges' Table?
NBC announced Kenan Thompson, 48, as Cowell's first replacement. The Emmy-nominated comedian will join Klum, Mandel, and Vergara for the September 1 episode. On Instagram, the show posted: "A comedy legend is taking over the Judges' table!" alongside a photo of Thompson.
Thompson is no stranger to the role. During the 2020 live quarterfinals—when Cowell was sidelined by the same back injury—Thompson sat on the panel for two episodes. Kelly Clarkson had guest-judged before him that season. In 2020, Thompson told contestants: "Seize the moment, if you have nerves turn those nerves into superpowers."
While Cowell's absence was felt during the August 25 live show, NBC Insider noted it does not materially affect competition outcomes at this stage. During live quarterfinals, viewers largely decide which acts advance; judges retain only their individual Golden Buzzer powers.
When Will Simon Cowell Return to America's Got Talent?
Cowell is expected back once he completes recovery from the procedure. NBC has not announced an exact return date, and further guest judges beyond Thompson remain unconfirmed. America's Got Talent Season 21 airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, with next-day streaming on Peacock.
Thompson's September 1 appearance marks a full-circle moment for the longtime SNL cast member, who also starred in Kenan and Kel and appeared in the 2026 film Scary Movie. For ongoing coverage of high-profile TV developments, visit our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries hub. Primary reporting is drawn from Deadline and NBC.