{
  "id": 3384822,
  "title": "Simon Cowell Misses First Of Several AGT Live Shows; Judges Send 'Best Wishes' Ahead Of His Surgery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/simon-cowell-misses-first-of-several-agt-live-shows-judges-send-best",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-26T00:14:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TVLine",
    "slug": "tvline",
    "url": "https://www.tvline.com/2244296/simon-cowell-missing-agt-back-surgery-no-replacement-judge/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Simon Cowell, a judge on America's Got Talent, will be absent from several live Season 21 episodes due to surgery. Host Terry Crews acknowledged Cowell's absence during the August 25 broadcast, informing viewers that Cowell was having a scheduled procedure and expressing hopes for a swift recovery. Cowell is set to undergo a routine back operation following an accident involving his electric motorcycle in Malibu, California. This incident had previously caused persistent back problems. While Cowell will miss out on several episodes, his role as a judge will be temporarily covered by other judges. The live quarterfinals episodes continue to air on Tuesdays, followed by results shows on Wednesdays.",
  "summary": "Simon Cowell will miss several weeks of America's Got Talent while he undergoes an operation, but we're told a rotation of guest replacements is on the way.",
  "key_points": [
    "Simon Cowell absent from several AGT Live shows due to surgery",
    "Host Terry Crews informed viewers of Cowell's scheduled procedure",
    "Cowell to undergo back operation after motorcycle accident"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Simon Cowell's temporary absence from America's Got Talent live shows due to surgery means his judging duties will be covered by his fellow judges during his recovery.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}