As America's Got Talent premieres its milestone season 20 on May 27, 2025 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, there are a few things we can't help but think about.
With the competition series coming back on the air, we're excited to see the new crop of incredible talent. But we're also intrigued to see the judges' reactions to every act looking to win the coveted $1 million prize. And with a panel as iconic as Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Mel B (who is taking over for Heidi Klum) and Howie Mandel, it's easy to see why people will tune in week after week to watch them guide the contestants through the season.
Now, fans of AGT are aware that each judge has their own experience with the show — with some having been there longer than others. With this in mind, there is one judge in particular whose tenure has us asking a major question. How long has Howie Mandel been a judge on America's Got Talent? And more importantly, what is it that keeps him coming back to the show year after year?
How long has Howie Mandel been a judge on America's Got Talent?
According to a report from NBC Insider, Howie Mandel made his debut on AGT in 2010. Meaning: Howie Mandel has been on AGT for 15 years.
The Deal or No Deal host initially joined AGT when he replaced David Hasselhoff as a judge for the show's fifth season. At the time, he joined Sharon Osbourne and Piers Morgan to round out the judging panel's trio. And in what may be a surprise to fans, it turns out Howie made history by being the longest-running judge on the show.
Given Howie's lengthy tenure on AGT, what has drawn him back to the show every season? As he explained in a separate interview with NBC Insider in April 2023, it has to do with the intrigue of what new talents will be featured in the future.
"What is considered talent evolves," he told the outlet at the time. "What will bowl you over, especially as somebody who’s been here that long. I am jaded. But I’m telling you, I am continuously bowled over. People from all walks of life, from all corners of this planet, have the ability to come and bowl us over. And that’s amazing."
And that's not all. In an interview with the publication a few months later, the St. Elsewhere alum also explained how much his enjoyment on AGT stems from the bond he has with his fellow judges.
"I don’t feel like I show up at work," he said in September 2023. "I feel like I’m sitting on the couch with a bunch of my friends, just saying what I think. And that comfort allows me just to be honest and real."
As for what fans can look forward to from AGT season 20, Howie told Variety to expect a lot of surprises. What's more, he predicts people will be in their feelings throughout the competition.
"The 20th anniversary feels like something special," he told the outlet. "As somebody who has one of the best seats in the house, it’s not only joyful — it’s emotional, it’s exciting ... We have the best team in the world, the best talent in the world, and the best show in the world."
We so love this for Howie, and we hope to see him on AGT for many years to come!
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
