Comedian Kenan Thompson has been announced as the temporary replacement for Simon Cowell on an upcoming episode of “America’s Got Talent” as Cowell recovers from back surgery. The NBC competition series shared the news via Instagram on Saturday, noting that Thompson, a star of “Saturday Night Live,” would be taking over a seat at the judges' table.
Thompson, 48, is scheduled to appear on the forthcoming episode of the reality series alongside fellow judges Sofía Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Mel B. It remains unclear if he will appear in subsequent episodes or if other guest judges will fill in during Cowell’s absence.
This is not the first time Thompson has stepped in for Cowell. He previously served as a guest judge in 2020 when Cowell, 66, sustained a broken back in an electric bike accident. That incident led to Cowell missing a significant portion of Season 15 of “AGT.”
Cowell’s absence from the current season is to address ongoing back issues. Earlier this month, reports indicated that he would miss several weeks for a surgical procedure and subsequent recovery. The 2020 accident occurred when Cowell fell while riding an electric bike in Malibu, California, resulting in what was described as “massive amounts of pain” and a surgery that included the placement of a metal rod in his back.
Thompson is a long-standing cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” having been with the show since 2003. His other acting credits include roles in the 1997 film “Good Burger” and the late 1990s television series “Kenan & Kel.”
“America’s Got Talent” airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.