‘AGT’ Judges React to Simon Cowell’s Absence & Admit They Don’t Know His Finale Plans

Who’s going to win Season 21 of America’s Got Talent isn’t the only question on the minds of the show’s fans. Viewers are also wondering if judge Simon Cowell, who’s been absent from the judges’ table since late August because he underwent routine back surgery, is going to make an appearance in the talent competition reality show’s final two episodes next week.

TV Insider spoke with host Terry Crews and judges Howie Mandel, Mel B., and Sofia Vergara to get their thoughts on their absent pal, how the show has held up without him, and when he might return.

“There’s a big space,” Crews told TV Insider about Cowell not being on the show. “It’s like a giant hole.”

The host adds, however, that everyone is doing what Cowell would want them to do – power through and carry on in his absence. “My thing is to not let him down because this is his baby,” Crews added, noting that AGT was conceived by Cowell as a British series in 2005. A year later, the U.S. version of the show launched.

“This is his creation and the thing is we want to make sure that he’s happy and smiling because he knows we’ve got this for him until he gets better,” Crews said.

While Cowell’s return for the finale would add a great deal of excitement to an already highly-anticipated two episodes, Crews admitted, “I only want him to come back when it’s right. We’ve got one week left. If, all of a sudden, he does come back, it’s going to be amazing. But, if not, it’s OK. We’ve got this.”

The AGT judges echoed Crews’ sentiments about wanting Cowell to return only when he’s physically well enough to do so.

“I think [Simon’s absence] has affect Sofia the most,” Mel B. mused, “because she sits next to him. I’m sandwiched in between Sofia and Howie, so it hasn’t really disturbed my vibe too much. We all wish him well. We signed a card for him.”

While Cowell’s somewhat mellowed over the years since his iconic, biting, no-holds barred critiques that made him a household name when he judged American Idol, the former Spice Girl maintained that the critic is still there in Simon.

“If he doesn’t like something, he doesn’t like it,” Mel B. offered. “[If] he sees potential, he’s really going to encourage it, which is always good.”

Vergara concurred that Cowell’s presence is deeply felt, but noted that the show has powered through difficult times in the past. “We miss him, but we are, how do you say … surviving,” the former Modern Family star shared. “You know, my first season, was when COVID started and we kept doing the show. I mean, the show must go on. But we do miss Simon.”

And it seems the judges are just as in the dark as the fans about whether Cowell plans to return for the finale.

“I have no updates to share, but I’m telling you that my heart and my mind is with Simon and am wishing him as quick of a return as there could possibly be,” Mandel sayid. “It doesn’t feel the same without him.”

The former St. Elsewhere star hastened to add, however, that Cowell’s presence is felt each week because he is the heart and soul of the show that he created.

“This is all him,” Mandel explained. “This is his concept. The show was his idea. Every time somebody gets a Golden Buzzer, goes through, breaks down crying, or gets so excited, a dream is coming true.”

Mandel sad when those moments, unique to AGT, occur, he’ll walk over to Cowell’s chair when he can, and tell him, “’Look at what you did!’ This is all because of something that he created.”

Related

Why Did Heidi Klum Leave 'AGT'?

Mandel likened Cowell’s visionary thinking and producing to that of late famed music executive and producer Clive Davis. “[Clive] himself wasn’t even a musician himself, but he was able to pinpoint what people wanted to listen to. Simon’s origins were in music, but this show is much more than music,” he contnued. “It’s variety. It’s everything. Sometimes, Simon is painfully honest, but that’s what people like. And I’m being honest right now when I saw I miss him dearly. I can’t wait to sit beside him again.”

America’s Got Talent, Season 21 Finale, Tuesday, September 22, and Wednesday, September 23, 9/8c, NBC