'America's Got Talent' sets temporary replacement for Simon Cowell
Kenan Thompson has been named as a guest judge for 'America's Got Talent' to replace Simon Cowell. Cowell is taking a temporary leave of absence to undergo routine back surgery.
Why it matters
The show must maintain continuity during the absence of its primary judge, highlighting the logistical challenges of live television production.
Hear this story " America's Got Talent " has a " Saturday Night Live " star to fill in for Simon Cowell , who will be sidelined from the competition show for several weeks.
The NBC show's official Instagram account announced on Aug. 28 that Kenan Thompson will join "America's Got Talent" as a guest judge on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
The "SNL" star is coming on after it was confirmed that Cowell will be absent from "America's Got Talent" live shows for several weeks as he undergoes a routine back surgery.
"He's having an operation that cannot be postponed," host Terry Crews explained during the Aug. 25 episode after pointing out that Cowell's seat at the judge's table was empty.
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