August 13, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

NBC(LOS ANGELES) — Kelly Clarkson has taken over for Simon Cowell on America’s Got Talent as he nurses a back injury but she may not be there for long. 

Entertainment Tonight spoke with AGT judges Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and Howie Mandel, and based on their feedback, it seems Cowell may be back sooner rather than later. 

Mandel, 64, shared, “We have been told he has been recovering tremendously. I would not count him out before the end of this season.”

“He’s had a six-hour operation and he is already on his feet, which is above and beyond expectation, so I am thrilled,” he added. 

The judges also dished that, although Clarkson does a great job filling in, they can’t help but miss Cowell. 

Klum, 47, admitted, “Obviously we miss the boss. There is no one who could actually take his place, even though Kelly did absolutely amazing today. [She did] an amazing job and she had so much fun, but no one is like Simon. That is just the way it is.”

Mandel agreed and said, “I think that Simon is irreplaceable and Kelly was brilliant. She’s done it. She’s a pro. She brings something to the table.”

Vergara, who is new to the AGT judging panel, echoed the same sentiment.

“I want Simon back. This is my first time. I want things to be normal,” the 48-year-old actress said.  

As previously reported, Cowell broke his back in several places after crashing his e-bike on Sunday.  The media mogul remained in good humor over his injury, as he tweeted shortly after coming out of surgery, “Some good advice… If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time.”

By Danielle Long
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

August 13, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

iStock/KLH49(LOS ANGELES) — AMC Theaters is taking steps to reopen after shuttering its chain worldwide months ago due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  

In an email release to the company’s “A List” members on Wednesday, the theater chain announced that movies will once again light up their screens starting August 20. 

Should all go well, the company hopes to have roughly two-thirds of its franchises up and running once again by September 3.

The email states that “AMC Theaters are reopening” and that “We already have opened more than half of our theaters in Europe and the Middle East, safely and without incident, and will open all by August 26.”

Turning its focus to America, the Kansas-based company attested, “Here in the United States, we will begin opening AMC with more than 100 theaters resuming operations on August 20, and continuing such that about two-thirds of our theaters across the country should be open no later than September 3.”

The statement furthers, “The remaining AMC locations will open after we get further clearance from state and local authorities that it is safe to do so.”

Those eager to watch a movie on the big screen can check the opening status of their local AMC starting Thursday on the company’s website or by downloading its mobile app.

Among the spate of new movies the chain is readying to premiere are The New Mutants, Tenet and Unhinged. 

Due to several blockbusters pushing back their premiere dates or opting for the streaming route in light of the ongoing pandemic, AMC said it will fill the gaps in its schedules with hit films, like Beauty and the Beast and Inception.

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.