- America’s Got Talent is airing new episodes of season 15 on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
- Head judge Simon Cowell has been absent due to a recent back injury.
- Singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson filled in for Simon during the first week of live shows. This week, Kenan Thompson will guest judge in Simon's place.
- After missing last week's AGT episodes, Simon sent out a tweet thanking Kelly.
Simon Cowell is clearly missing America’s Got Talent.
Days after revealing he was injured in an electric bike accident, the judge tuned into the NBC competition show from his home in California. While watching the beginning of the live shows for season 15, Simon spotted talk show host Kelly Clarkson in his seat and only had kind words.
“Thank you @kellyclarkson,” he wrote about the singer, who was guest judging in his place. “Miss all of you. What a Great Show.”
After reading Simon’s candid tweet, fans shared words of support for the longtime AGT judge and executive producer.
“We missed you! get better fast please 🌹but if anyone could sit in for you Kelly did good,” one person wrote. “Great choice on your fill in! I would love to see Kelly on the panel alongside you next time!!!” another added. “Missed you Simon on tonight’s AGT!!! Get well soon & hurry back … And Miss Kelly Clarkson filling in was perfect!!! 👍🏻” a different fan said.
Ahead of appearing on AGT as a guest judge, Kelly announced her gig via an “urgent memo” that jokingly described her as “wiser, cooler, and hotter” than Simon. The mom of two also gave Simon a shoutout on Instagram right before going on air.
“It's almost showtime y'all!” she wrote. “Getting ready to take over for @SimonCowell! I really need to work on my British accent... 😂😂 Looking forward to watching all of the acts!”
Saturday Night Live's Kenan Thompson will be this week's guest judge in Simon's absence. At the moment, it's unclear how long Simon will be out for. But according to fellow judge Howie Mandel, the British TV personality is already “up on his feet.” What's more, Howie believes people shouldn’t “count out seeing Simon again before this season’s end.”
