America’s Got Talent 2020 continues production despite ongoing coronavirus concerns. Before California’s lockdown paused many television shoots in March, AGT completed the majority of its audition tapings. Some performances were filmed in an empty theater, and once restrictions tightened, the judges—Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara—along with host Terry Crews, shifted to conducting auditions remotely from their homes.
Recently, the show’s production moved forward with filming the Judge Cuts, adopting protocols designed to comply with state social distancing guidelines. Reports from major entertainment outlets provided details about how executive producer Simon Cowell and the production team retooled the competition to keep cast and crew safe while preserving the integrity of the season.
America’s Got Talent 2020 Begins Filming Judge Cuts… Safely
Traditionally, the Judge Cuts span multiple episodes, featuring roughly 18 acts per week performing again for the judges, with guest celebrity judges each choosing a golden buzzer to send an act straight to the live shows. This season, however, the format was streamlined to reduce risk and limit gatherings.
Here’s what to expect from the Judge Cuts:
- The Judge Cuts round has been condensed into a single episode airing July 28. Rather than re-staging every audition, the judges reviewed the fates of around 60 acts and advanced many without requiring an additional in-person performance. A small subset—ten “bubble” acts—performed remotely, and five of those were selected to advance to the live shows.
- NBC adjusted the broadcast schedule to account for these changes, programming a season 15 clip show and a 15th anniversary special to fill earlier and later slots while the competition adapted its format.
- To reduce indoor exposure, many auditions and segments were staged outdoors in Simi Valley, California, using an open-air set that allowed for increased ventilation and distancing between participants and crew.
- The judges arrived separately in vehicles and took socially distanced director’s chairs situated in front of a large screen. From there they watched performances—some live and some remote—and discussed each act before deciding who would move forward. This setup combined the immediacy of live reactions with strict distancing measures, creating a sense of connection while prioritizing safety.
- Production implemented extensive coronavirus testing and organized crew members into isolated pods to minimize cross-contamination. Only small, essential groups traveled when necessary to support remote performances, and each pod followed defined safety protocols throughout filming.
What to expect from the Live Shows
- To compensate for the shortened Judge Cuts, the live stage portion of the season has been expanded. Forty-four acts will perform across four weeks of live quarterfinals beginning Aug 11, an increase from prior seasons that typically featured 36 acts across three weeks.
- Producers plan to have as many acts as possible perform live on stage in front of the judges, while operating with a reduced support crew and strict safety measures. The goal is to preserve the energy and spectacle of the live shows while complying with health guidance.
- The production has not finalized the live-show venue. The team is considering options that include the show’s traditional venues, and the audience component is expected to be altered—possibly virtual or limited—to ensure compliance with safety protocols and public health recommendations.
Judge Cuts Outdoor Set
Overall, this season of America’s Got Talent reflects how large-scale television productions have adjusted to the realities of the pandemic. The show’s creative and logistical changes—condensed Judge Cuts, expanded live rounds, outdoor staging, separate arrival protocols for judges, remote performances, frequent testing and pod-based crew organization—demonstrate the industry’s efforts to balance entertainment with health and safety. Viewers can expect a season that aims to deliver memorable talent and dramatic moments while prioritizing the well-being of performers, judges and essential staff.