America’s Got Talent viewers will see an unexpected face behind the judges’ desk when the competition continues its live quarterfinals.
Kenan Thompson is temporarily replacing Simon Cowell on AGT, with the Saturday Night Live veteran scheduled to join the judging panel for the September 1 live show.
The change is temporary. Cowell, one of the most recognizable faces associated with America’s Got Talent, is expected to miss the episode while undergoing a routine medical procedure on his back.
Thompson will therefore take his place alongside the other judges as contestants continue competing for a spot deeper into the season.
The announcement quickly attracted attention from AGT viewers, particularly because Thompson is best known for sketch comedy rather than talent-show judging.
Why Simon Cowell Will Be Missing From AGT
Cowell’s absence is connected to a routine back procedure, according to reports surrounding the temporary change.
There has been no indication that he is permanently leaving America’s Got Talent.
Instead, Thompson’s appearance is being treated as a short-term substitution while Cowell deals with the procedure.
It is also not Cowell’s first experience with back problems.
The television personality suffered a serious back injury in 2020 after an electric bike accident at his home in Malibu, California. The accident required surgery and a lengthy recovery.
He later suffered another electric bike accident in 2022.
The current situation, however, has been described as a routine procedure rather than another newly reported accident.
That distinction matters as searches surrounding Cowell’s absence increase. His temporary replacement should not be interpreted as evidence that he has quit the program or suffered another major accident.
Kenan Thompson Gets an Unusual AGT Assignment
Thompson stepping into Cowell’s chair creates an interesting television combination.
For millions of viewers, Kenan Thompson is synonymous with Saturday Night Live.
He joined SNL in 2003 and went on to become the longest-serving cast member in the show’s history.
Before that, Thompson built his career through Nickelodeon programs including All That and Kenan & Kel. His television and comedy career has consequently stretched across several generations of viewers.
Judging an America’s Got Talent live show puts him in a noticeably different role.
Rather than performing a character or delivering a comedy sketch, Thompson will be evaluating contestants whose futures in the competition can depend heavily on the judges’ reactions and audience vote.
Still, he isn’t completely unfamiliar with the AGT universe.
Thompson previously appeared as a guest judge on the program during Season 15, giving him some experience with the format before this latest assignment.
What Changes Without Simon Cowell?
Cowell occupies a particularly important position on America’s Got Talent because he is more than an on-screen judge.
He also created the Got Talent franchise and serves as an executive producer.
His blunt assessments of performers became a major part of his television identity long before AGT, particularly through programs such as American Idol and The X Factor.
That makes replacing him, even for one episode, noticeable.
Thompson isn’t necessarily being brought in to imitate Cowell’s judging style.
His comedy background and personality could instead give the panel a different dynamic for the night.
The remaining regular judges are expected to continue carrying much of the familiar chemistry viewers associate with the show while Thompson occupies Cowell’s seat.
When Will Kenan Thompson Be on America’s Got Talent?
Thompson is scheduled to appear during the September 1, 2026 live quarterfinal.
The episode forms part of the competition’s live stage, when performances become increasingly important as contestants attempt to advance.
His appearance is expected to be temporary.
There has been no announcement suggesting Thompson is becoming a permanent America’s Got Talent judge or that Cowell is departing the series.
For viewers wondering whether Simon Cowell has left AGT, the available information points in the opposite direction.
He is expected to return following his temporary absence.
Simon Cowell’s History With Back Injuries
Cowell’s upcoming procedure has also renewed interest in the television producer’s previous health problems.
In August 2020, Cowell broke his back after falling from an electric bike while testing it at his Malibu home.
The injury required surgery.
He subsequently spent months recovering before gradually returning to work.
Another electric bike accident occurred in London in early 2022, resulting in additional injuries.
Cowell later discussed changing some of his habits following the accidents.
However, reports concerning his September 2026 AGT absence have not described the current procedure as resulting from a new accident.
Instead, it has been characterized as routine.
A One-Night Change to a Familiar Judges’ Table
Temporary judging changes aren’t unusual for America’s Got Talent, but Cowell’s absence naturally attracts more attention because of his long association with the franchise.
This time, the replacement also brings substantial name recognition of his own.
Kenan Thompson has spent decades on American television, moving from child star to sketch-comedy veteran and becoming one of SNL’s most enduring performers.
Now he’ll briefly add another role to that career: America’s Got Talent judge.
For viewers tuning in and wondering why Simon Cowell isn’t sitting in his usual chair, there is no announced permanent shake-up behind the scenes.
Cowell is stepping away temporarily for a routine back procedure.
And while he’s gone, Kenan Thompson gets the desk.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information publicly available at the time of publication regarding Simon Cowell’s temporary absence from America’s Got Talent and Kenan Thompson’s scheduled appearance as a guest judge. Scheduling, appearances and programming details may change. Medical information included here is limited to details that have been publicly reported and should not be interpreted beyond those statements.
