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Why did Simon Cowell apologize to Trailer Flowers? Judge slams 'AGT' producers for replaying 'buzzer sabotage'

Simon Cowell's reaction came after Howie Mandel pressed Heidi Klum's buzzer during the Nashville duo Trailer Flowers' performance

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: Simon Cowell apologized to Trailer Flowers and reprimanded the show's producers on live television during the 'America's Got Talent' September 19 episode for playing a sneaky clip of Howie Mandel pressing Heidi Klum's buzzer during the Nashville duo's performance. 

Since it was a live program, the actual button push wasn't captured on camera, but the producers aired a clip of Howie secretly hitting Heidi's red buzzer when host Terry Crews appeared to explain what had occurred. 

However, as Simon himself wears the hat of a producer on the show, viewers soon took to social media to call his bluff.

'AGT' judges panel heats up over the 'buzzer sabotage' incident

"I would not press my buzzer in the semi-finals," asserted Howie Mandel. 

However, he wasn't really telling the truth as he had already buzzed Sharpe Family Singers, Phil Wright & Parent Jam, and Ray Wold & Mom during live events for the current season, receiving considerable backlash for the moves.

Howie's claim sparked a squabble at the judges' table, prompting Heidi to ask, "What is going on with you, Howie? There is an invisible line right here [between us]. This is your side, this is my side." Heidi later said that Trailer Flowers' performance sounded screechy at times, but she wasn't sure how it sounded "at home."

"I think you guys sound very nice but," said Sofia Vergara, adding, "I kept waiting for Simon to ask for another song. There was something happening with this song that it didn’t resonate to me. Like, I didn’t know what was happening — the outfits, the song. It wasn’t my thing, and I love country music, by the way."

When Simon finally had a chance to speak, he didn't hold back from expressing his true feelings over the dramatic button-pushing.

"First of all, I don’t think the producers should have done what they just did, because we don’t have a lot of time to talk and actually give you something constructive," stated Simon, and added. "So I apologize."

However, he did criticize Trailer Flowers, saying that he "didn't love" their song but he likes their duo. Then, Simon expressed that if it had been the audition stage, he would have instructed them to compose a "better song."

'AGT' viewers call out Simon Cowell for slamming the producers

After hearing Simon Cowell's remark on the show, 'AGT' viewers took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their opinions and call him out. 

A fan wrote, "simon I think that anybody that make the second round should not be buzzed the buzzers should be turned off after the first round because you do not vote after the first round."

One viewer threw shade at the judge-cum-producer, saying, "Is Simon calling out production on his own show for gimmicks…? Wow."

"I don't know what Simon meant by the producers interfering," quipped one. 

Another person noted, "Simon, we've been begging for production to make the sound better on this show cause it sounds TERRIBLE to the at home audience. I just ranted this out loud to my Dad about it after Simon said it lmao." 

Is Simon Cowell a producer on 'America's Got Talent'?

Simon Cowell is known to be an executive producer of 'America's Got Talent' and has served as a judge from Season 11 to the present. He has also sat on the judges' panels for 'Champions 1', 'Champions 2', 'Extreme 1', and 'All-Stars 1'.

He is reported to be worth $600 million and judging 'AGT' apparently brings in around $45 million, as per TheCinemaholic. 

How much does Heidi Klum earn on 'AGT'?

Heidi Klum, who has served as a judge on 'AGT' from Season 8 to Season 13 and returned in Season 15 after taking a break for Season 14, makes $3 million every season, as reported by Hello! Magazine, she has made $30 million from this program alone.

How much does Howie Mandel earn on 'AGT'?

Howie Mandel earns $70,000 every episode of 'AGT', which may equal $1.5 million in the 2022 season, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He might have earned more than $15 million in the last decade because he has been on the talent show for 13 years.

'America's Got Talent' Season 18 airs every Tuesday and Wednesday on NBC at 8 pm ET.