Simon Cowell, a judge on NBC's "America's Got Talent," will be absent from the show for the next few weeks as he undergoes a non-emergency operation that cannot be postponed. Host Terry Crews announced Cowell's temporary departure during a recent episode, informing viewers that the television personality is having a procedure.
"You noticed that Simon Cowell is not here," Crews told the audience. "He’s having an operation that cannot be postponed. It’s not an emergency, but it can’t be put off. Simon, we are sending you our very best wishes for a speedy recovery, and we’re looking forward to seeing you back at the judges’ desk very soon."
According to TMZ, Cowell is expected to miss "the next couple of weeks" of "America's Got Talent" episodes while he recovers from the routine back procedure.
The current season of "America's Got Talent" is nearing its conclusion, with quarterfinals running through September 8. The semifinals are scheduled for September 15 and 16, followed by the finals on September 22 and 23.
New episodes of "America's Got Talent" air on Wednesdays from 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET on NBC. Viewers can watch the show live on NBC, the NBC website, or through live TV streaming services such as DIRECTV, FuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, or Sling TV. Episodes are also available for next-day streaming on Peacock, with subscription options including Premium with ads and Premium Plus ad-free.