Simon Cowell is expected to miss multiple weeks of America's Got Talent as he undergoes and recovers from back surgery. He's reportedly been dealing with back issues for some time. As such, Kenan Thompson has been announced as a temporary replacement, at least for one episode.
Videos by Wide Open Country
"A comedy legend is taking over the Judges' table! Kenan Thompson is joining AGT as a guest Judge!" the show announced on Instagram. "Don't miss his guest appearance Tuesday, September 1 at 8/7c on @NBC."
It's currently unclear whether Thompson will fill in for Cowell for the remaining stretch of episodes or whether his appearance will be a one-off. If it's the latter, it's likely that the show will welcome guest judges for the next few weeks.
This isn't the first time that Thompson has sat in a judge's seat, either. He previously filled in for Cowell back in 2020, when the music mogul broke his back during an electric bike accident. He had reportedly been riding his bike in Malibu, California, where he fell and landed on his back.
"When he fell off the bike. He landed right on his back, which broke in a number of places," an insider told Page Six in 2020.
Cowell missed the majority of season six following his injury. Hopefully, he won't be out for as long following his operation.
Kenan Thompson Is a Genuine Comedy Legend
Most millennials will remember Thompson from his time on the late-90's classic Nickelodeon sitcom Kenan And Kel. They'll also remember him for the follow-on movie Good Burger. However, since leaving that show, Kenan has gone on to carve out a highly impressive career.
For the past 23 years, he's been an active member of the Saturday Night Live team, appearing in 426 episodes to date. Throughout the years, he's also been involved in countless movie and television roles. Earlier this year, he played Jermaine in Scary Movie 6.
There's no denying that Thompson is one of the most recognizable comedians on the planet. Furthermore, he'll have a good grip on what raw talent looks like, which is why he's an ideal selection to stand in for Cowell.
