Kenan Thompson is headed back to the America’s Got Talent judges’ table, and he already knows what it is like to sit in Simon Cowell’s chair.
The Saturday Night Live veteran will temporarily replace Cowell for the third night of Season 21’s live quarterfinals on Tuesday, Sept. 1. PEOPLE confirmed that Thompson will join Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara and Mel B while Cowell is away from the competition for a routine procedure related to his back.
Thompson’s appearance is not a first-time experiment for the NBC competition. Six years ago, he stepped into the same role when Cowell was forced to miss Season 15 live shows after seriously injuring his back in an electric-bike accident.
Eleven acts will perform in Quarterfinals 3, one will receive the Live Show Golden Buzzer and three more will ultimately advance to the semifinals through America’s vote.
Thompson Takes Cowell’s Seat on September 1
AGT announced Thompson’s return on Aug. 28, calling him a “comedy legend” while confirming his Sept. 1 appearance. Cowell had already missed the Aug. 25 live quarterfinals. Host Terry Crews acknowledged his absence at the beginning of that broadcast and sent well wishes as Mandel, Vergara and Mel B continued with a three-person panel.
Quarterfinals 3 will feature 11 acts. The Live Show Golden Buzzer sends one performer directly to the Season 21 finals, while viewers vote for three additional acts to advance to the semifinals. The results will be revealed on Sept. 2. He will be judging during a round in which one performance can receive an immediate pass to the finals while most of the remaining acts depend on the public vote.
Thompson Has Filled In for Cowell Before
The circumstances have an obvious precedent. On Aug. 8, 2020, Cowell fractured his back while testing an electric bike at his Malibu home and underwent major surgery shortly before the Season 15 live quarterfinals began.
Kelly Clarkson filled his seat for the Aug. 11 and 12 shows. Thompson followed one week later, serving as guest judge on Aug. 18 and 19 alongside Mandel, Vergara and Heidi Klum as another group of 11 quarterfinalists competed.
Thompson opened that 2020 appearance with encouragement for the contestants. “Seize the moment,” he told them. “If you have nerves, turn those nerves into superpowers.” His judging style proved considerably warmer than the blunt criticism Cowell is known for delivering.
Cowell Is Expected Back Within a Few Weeks
Cowell’s current absence is shorter and less dramatic than the one that followed his 2020 accident. A representative told Entertainment Weekly that he is undergoing a routine procedure related to his back.
“Obviously medical matters are private but it’s routine and he will be back in a few weeks,” the representative said. No exact return episode has been announced.
The original 2020 accident was far more serious. Cowell fractured his back and underwent a lengthy fusion surgery involving a metal rod and other hardware. He later discussed lingering nerve damage from the injury before eventually returning to his television work.
Thompson Returns During the Final Stretch of Season 21
Thompson brings previous competition-show experience beyond his two 2020 AGT episodes. He served as a judge on NBC’s comedy competition Bring the Funny, while his main television home remains Saturday Night Live. Thompson joined SNL in 2003 and is the longest-serving cast member in the show’s history.
Season 21 has one more quarterfinal group scheduled after Thompson’s appearance, with Quarterfinals 4 set for Sept. 8. Current episode listings then place the semifinals on Sept. 15 and 16, followed by the finale performances on Sept. 22 and the results on Sept. 23.