Simon Cowell’s America’s Got Talent seat is being temporarily filled by a familiar face.
As one of the show’s biggest personalities will be missing from his usual spot, a fan favourite personality will be sitting behind the judges’ table for one upcoming episode.
The replacement comes as the competition heads into another round of live quarterfinal performances, with NBC bringing back someone who has already stepped into the spotlight under strikingly similar circumstances.
That someone is Kenan Thompson, who will return as a guest judge for the Quarterfinals Round 3 episode airing September 1.
The Saturday Night Live star is no stranger to the AGTstage. In 2020, he was brought in as a guest judge when Cowell was forced to sit out the season following his serious e-bike accident and resulting spinal injury.
The comedian joined Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and host Terry Crews during the live quarterfinals, encouraging contestants to turn their nerves into “superpowers.”
Now, six years later, he is once again being called upon at the same stage of the competition because Cowell is temporarily stepping away for routine back surgery related to his previous injury.
Notably, the SNL veteran will be the first guest judge to take Cowell’s place this season, following a week in which Mel B, Mandel and Vergara handled the judging duties.
2026-08-29 12:07:00
