Kenan Thompson is set to guest judge on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” for the Quarterfinals Round 3 episode on September 1. He will fill in for Simon Cowell, who is absent as he recovers from back surgery.
Both outlets frame the change as temporary, with Cowell sidelined and not appearing on the show during the relevant week. Deadline specifies that Cowell, who is also the show’s creator and executive producer, is recovering after the procedure, leading to Thompson’s appearance. Times of India similarly says Thompson steps in while Cowell takes a break to heal. The coverage emphasizes Thompson’s role as a comedic performer—particularly as a known “SNL” star—while focusing on maintaining judging continuity for the competition’s upcoming stages.
