The America’s Got Talent judges’ table is getting a familiar new face as the live quarterfinals begin. Simon Cowell is expected to miss several weeks while recovering from a scheduled back procedure, and producers have revealed that comedian Kenan Thompson will step into his seat for the Tuesday, September 1, 2026, episode. Thompson is no stranger to the AGT panel. He previously filled in for Cowell during the 2020 live quarterfinals, making his return feel like a surprising full-circle moment. He will join Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara, with Terry Crews serving as host. The announcement quickly caught fans’ attention, with some excited to see the comedy star back while others admitted they simply want Cowell back in his familiar chair.

Cowell’s latest absence has also brought renewed attention to his long recovery from a serious 2020 e-bike accident that resulted in a spinal injury and surgery. He later spoke openly about the difficult weeks that followed, describing the helplessness of being unable to move and crediting his family for helping him through the experience. He even recalled his son Eric reassuring him by joking that his father looked like “Iron Man.” Cowell eventually returned to television stronger than before, but his history with back problems has made this latest procedure especially noticeable to longtime viewers. Now, all eyes will be on Thompson as he takes over the judges’ table once again. While some fans are welcoming the temporary change, others have made their feelings clear: for them, AGT simply isn’t the same without Simon Cowell.