Simon Cowell Recalls America’s Got Talent Was Essentially ‘Dead’ On Arrival And How One Keen Lie Saved The Show

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The reality TV competition known as “America’s Got Talent” has been a hit on NBC since 2006, and it looks like it will continue to be a popular summer program in the 2025 television schedule. This season, which is the 20th, kicked off with quite an exciting start, including Mel B returning as a judge, two golden buzzers being pressed, and a plethora of extraordinary performances that even outshone the man who showcased his talent by drinking pickle juice, creamed corn, and more. Judge Simon Cowell, who also created “AGT,” reminisced about the show’s humble origins, and it appears that fans have an innocent fib to thank for twenty seasons of excitement!

Cowell discussed with People how ‘America’s Got Talent’ secured its initial series order many years back, and he admitted to a lie that ultimately proved beneficial. He disclosed:

frankly speaking, the show was quite challenging to market, as the pilot episode we produced fell short of expectations – it was truly subpar. Consequently, it never took off.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel a strong urge now – an uncontainable desire, if you will – to catch a glimpse of the original pilot for “America’s Got Talent”! I reckon it must have been quite a challenge to craft a stellar first episode for a series that truly shines when it has a whole season to showcase its grandest and most impressive acts. It seems that the initial attempt at AGT didn’t quite hit the mark compared to what this amazing show eventually became.

Simon Cowell later mentioned that out of the entire pilot episode, there were merely “seven minutes worth watching.” This was sufficient for him, especially considering the right angle when NBC contacted him. Reflecting back, the ex-judge on American Idol recollected this moment.

Someone phoned me and asked about the new TV series I was working on. I told them it was fantastic. They then wanted to see it, so I invited them over to my place and showed them a couple of minutes. They really liked it and ended up purchasing it. If they hadn’t contacted me that day, we wouldn’t be discussing the show right now because it would have been cancelled.

If there’s ever been an ideal moment to openly admit the minor falsehood regarding America’s Got Talent, I’d argue it’s during the festivities for its historic 20th season! Simon Cowell has shown his willingness to be transparent in the past and bravely faced a significant health challenge under the public gaze. (It’s worth noting that Howie Mandel wouldn’t make light of this situation on AGT until later.) Now seems like the perfect opportunity to reflect on all the triumphs America’s Got Talent has achieved throughout the year.

The success of the original show isn’t just about getting renewed time and again. NBC has already created several spin-offs such as America’s Got Talent: The Champions, America’s Got Talent: Extreme, America’s Got Talent: All-Stars, and America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League. Moreover, there are international adaptations like Britain’s Got Talent and Australia’s Got Talent as well.

Currently, enthusiasts can catch America’s Got Talent Season 20 on NBC every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. For those who prefer streaming, new episodes can be accessed the next day with a Peacock subscription. This season, Terry Crews continues as the host, and the panel of judges comprises Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, Mel B, and Simon Cowell. Since the judges aren’t privy to the performers’ background before they step onto the stage, their reactions are undeniably genuine, mirroring those of the audience.

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2025-05-30 06:07