Simon Cowell Gets Temporary Replacement on 'AGT' Amid Back Surgery America's Got Talent has announced that Kenan Thompson, a cast member from Saturday Night Live, will temporarily replace Simon Cowell as a guest judge on the show. Cowell, who is currently recovering from a routine back surgery, will be absent from live episodes for several weeks. The decision was revealed by the show’s official Instagram account on August 28, confirming Thompson’s participation in the Sept. 1 episode. Cowell’s absence was first disclosed during the Aug. 25 episode of the show, where host Terry Crews explained that the judge would be sidelined due to an operation that could not be postponed. Crews expressed support for Cowell, stating, “We’re sending you our very best wishes for a speedy recovery and looking forward to seeing you back at the judges’ desk soon.” The show’s producers have confirmed that a group of guest judges will step in during Cowell’s absence, with Thompson being the first celebrity announced for the role. This is not the first time Thompson has filled in for Cowell. During the show’s 15th season in 2020, Cowell missed live episodes after breaking his back while riding an e-bike. At the time, Thompson served as a guest judge while Cowell recovered from a six-hour surgery that involved the placement of a metal rod in his spine. Cowell later shared his experience on X, joking, “Some good advice… If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time.” In a 2020 interview with OK! Magazine, Cowell described the accident as more severe than initially perceived. He revealed that the incident caused long-term nerve damage and that his recovery process was “a long haul.#howie_mandel #kenan_thompson #america_s_got_talent #simon_cowell #terry_crews
Saturday Night Live Cold Open Tackles Pam Bondi Firing, Kristi Noem's Husband, and Artemis II Mission Saturday Night Live’s April 4 episode opened with a sketch that directly addressed the firing of Attorney General Pam Bondi by President Donald Trump, marking a departure from the show’s usual cold open format. The sketch, which featured an NCAA Final Four post-game show, centered on Kenan Thompson’s portrayal of Charles Barkley, who delivered unscripted commentary on a range of political and cultural topics. Unlike previous cold opens that often included James Austin Johnson’s Trump impression, this episode opted for a different approach, focusing instead on Barkley’s off-the-cuff remarks. The sketch began with Barkley, played by Thompson, criticizing Bondi’s removal from her position. “As attorney general, Pam Bondi was, and I don’t say this often, terrible,” Barkley declared. “It is a shame when somebody gets fired, but we should all be glad that that freckle-chested dragon lady is gone.” The line, which mocked Bondi’s appearance and political stance, sparked immediate controversy. Bondi’s character, portrayed by Ashley Padilla, then entered to deliver a rebuttal. “The truth is, I was amazing at my job, and I am proud to say I made history as the first woman ever to be fired as attorney general,” Padilla’s Bondi said, adding, “I shattered that glass exit door!” The sketch quickly shifted to a dramatic breakdown, with Padilla’s Bondi weeping and declaring, “They threw my headshot in the trash like it was the Epstein files!” This reference to the controversial Jeffrey Epstein case highlighted the sketch’s satirical take on the political fallout surrounding Bondi’s firing.#charles_barkley #pam_bondi #kristi_noem #artemis_ii #kenan_thompson
Saturday Night Live Returns with New Episodes in April 2026 Saturday Night Live is set to return with fresh episodes in April 2026, following a scheduled break during the March 28 weekend. The show’s Season 51 continues its run, but viewers in the United States will have to wait until April 4 for the next all-new episode. This episode will feature Jack Black as the host and Jack White of The White Stripes as the musical guest. Black, who previously hosted the show in Season 50, will join the Five-Timers Club for his fourth hosting stint. His episode will be followed by actor Colman Domingo’s debut as a host on April 11. The March 28 episode, which aired on December 6, 2025, was hosted by Melissa McCarthy and featured Dijon as the musical guest. McCarthy, known for her comedic prowess, delivered a standout performance, including the holiday-themed sketch "A Helping Hand," which is celebrated as one of the show’s most memorable Christmas sketches. The episode also included other notable moments, such as McCarthy’s unfiltered portrayal of a UPS delivery driver in a sketch that went viral for its chaotic energy. In addition to the U.S. broadcast, Saturday Night Live UK is set to return for its second season on March 29. The UK version of the show, which premiered on March 21, will air a new episode featuring Jamie Dornan as host and Wolf Alice as the musical guest. The episode will be available on Peacock, with updates on the full lineup of hosts for the season. For U.S. audiences, new episodes of Saturday Night Live will continue to air on NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET/10:30 p.m. CT/8:30 p.m. PT, with streaming available the following day on Peacock.#peacock #jack_white #jack_black #melissa_mccarthy #kenan_thompson
