Kenan Thompson to Join ‘America’s Got Talent’ Judges’ Panel

Kenan Thompson will join the judges’ panel on the next episode of America’s Got Talent as Simon Cowell takes time off to recover from back surgery.

Thompson will sit alongside Mel B, Howie Mandel and Sofía Vergara. Cowell’s representative told Entertainment Weekly that the surgery is routine and that he is expected to return within a few weeks.

Cowell has dealt with back problems since he was injured in an electric bicycle accident in August 2020. Host Terry Crews said Cowell’s operation could not be postponed but was not an emergency.

Thompson has appeared on America’s Got Talent before, serving as a guest judge in 2015. He is best known as the longest-serving cast member of Saturday Night Live, where he joined in 2003. He has also starred in the Good Burger films and the sitcom Kenan.

Several guest judges have appeared on the show this season, including Nikki Glaser, Emma Bunton and Lele Pons.

The competition is now in the quarterfinals. The $1 million winner is scheduled to be announced on Sept. 23.

America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and streams the following day on Peacock.