'AGT: All-Stars' 2023: NBC show leaves out fan-favorite judge Sofia Vergara
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: The new season of 'America's Got Talent: All Stars' will begin on NBC on January 2, directly after New Year's Eve, as planned, but there will be one significant change from previous seasons. While Terry Crews will return as host, and the judging panel is essentially the same, there is one major absence that will surprise viewers.
NBC is expanding 'America's Got Talent' with another overseas spinoff, and it's bringing (nearly) the whole cast along for the journey. The network has ordered 'AGT: All-Stars,' which it characterizes as a "new extension of the powerhouse hit series featuring winners, finalists, fan favorites and viral sensations from previous seasons of America’s Got Talent and Got Talent franchises around the world. The contestants will take the stage once again, but this time to compete for the ultimate All-Star title." Given that over 70 translated versions of this program have been broadcast throughout the world since 2006, we won't even try to estimate which performers will compete again. It might be anyone. But what is the change that might disappoint OG fans?
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Sofia Vergara won't be taking the hot seat
This season, Sofia Vergara will not be appearing alongside Howie Mandel, Simon Cowell, and Heidi Klum. While the actress' absence hasn't been explained, it's probable she'll return for the show's main version, if it is to return with an 18th season. Rather than trying to replace Sofia Vergara, 'All-Stars' will have a three-judge panel, like 'AGT: Extreme' did last year. Though fans may have missed the announcement, when 'AGT's official social media channels unveiled graphics from the forthcoming episode, many realized Sofia Vergara was missing.
"WHERES SOFIA????" one user asked on Instagram. "Where is Sofia? She is the gem of your show. If she's not there then your show is nothing," another one added. "We need @sofiavergara to be in it ❤️❤️❤️," another fan said.
In anticipation of the show's eventual debut, the three judges and host have teased many tidbits from the filming process. Simon even released a video in December that caught some of the judges' stunned responses and some spellbinding performances from the next season.
This is not the first spin-off of the main 'AGT' franchise, with the most recent being titled 'AGT: Extreme,' with a focus on dangerous acts and helmed by Simon and Terry alongside Travis Pastrana and Nikki Bella.
'AGT: All Stars' will air on NBC on January 2, 2023.