Howie Mandel Has a Secret Message for Simon Cowell After Every AGT Golden Buzzer

“America’s Got Talent” is celebrating its landmark 20th season, an achievement not many reality TV competitions have bragging rights to. However, the show can return each year because it continues to prove exciting and entertaining. But Howie Mandel believes it’s more than that: the show is life-changing.

Howie Mandel Reveals Why He Credits Simon Cowell With Changing Lives

Mandel, an AGT judge (joined by Simon Cowell, Mel B, and Sofia Vergara), discussed how the competition is a unique opportunity for people to show off their skills, and progressing from their auditions can open up doors in more ways than we may realize. Mandel understands this and credits his co-judge and executive producer, Simon Cowell, for making this happen.

“Every time somebody gets a golden buzzer or somebody wins something or somebody gets an opportunity and you see them fall to their knees and cry and their family joins them on stage and you know their life is never going to be the same, I run over to his seat behind him,” Mandel told People. “And I go, ‘You did this, buddy. You came up with an idea. A lot of us come up with ideas and we want to do TV shows and we want to entertain and we want to get a laugh, but your idea is changing more lives than any one idea on television.'”

Which AGT Acts in Season 20 Have Received a Golden Buzzer

AGT Season 20 has changed its filming format, offering a better view into the competition, including a look behind the scenes, which has allowed fans to feel more included. However, the show has also generated excitement about the season by posting on Instagram. This includes sharing judge Mel B’s first Golden Buzzer act (which went to an impressive knife-throwing duo), ahead of the premiere on May 27.

The premiere also saw two more acts receive a Golden Buzzer, as Mandel pressed the buzzer for singer Jourdan Blue and Cowell hit it for Light Wire.

Mandel has also commented on the pressures that come with Season 20, and what fans expect to see from the show. “I think that each season kind of raises the bar just by people being inspired by what they saw the season before,” he said. “But, then again, being a 20th anniversary, people are very celebratory. They know it’s a special year and they’re doing special things.”

To tune in and see these “special things,” remember that AGT airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.