JUDGES Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel have gotten antsy with each other following their recent clash on America’s Got Talent over one act.

Our footage shows Mandel, 68, yelling at Cowell, 64, after he broke the rules of the hit NBC show to steal his co-star’s Golden Buzzer act.

Howie Mandel talks about judge Simon Cowell ‘stealing’ his act while doing media for America’s Got TalentCredit: JDMC

Simon Cowell speaks on the red carpet at America’s Got Talent after the series’ Quarterfinal performancesCredit: JDMC

America’s Got Talent judges Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Simon Cowell scramble on the red carpet while posing with host Terry CrewsCredit: JDMC
Mandel exclusively told The U.S Sun he would “go to H.R.” about the issue despite Cowell being the show’s creator and boss.

On Tuesday night, live TV audiences saw Mandel rage at Cowell for stealing Airfootworks after their breathtaking performance.

“I am just about to get myself fired,” Cowell said after the performance as he went to hit the Live Show Golden Buzzer.

Mandel was furious at Cowell for trying to steal his Quarterfinals Golden Buzzer pick, which automatically sent the Japanese dance troupe to the finals.

After some on-screen deliberation, host Terry Crews, 56, confirmed Mandel would be granted his Golden Buzzer act despite Cowell’s rule-breaking.

However, tensions remained high when the pair left the TV shoot and headed backstage for their media promotional duties.

SETTING IT STRAIGHT

The former Deal Or No Deal host arrived on the red carpet complaining that Cowell “tried to steal that” before posing for photographers.

When Cowell arrived in the media room moments later, Mandel, who was with a TV interviewer, broke off his conversation to heckle the English star.

He first screamed across the red carpet at him, “Why did you pick my act? You tried to steal my Golden Buzzer.”

Howie Mandel booed on AGT as he’s compared to Simon after he bashes audition

Cowell ignored the upset judge and posed for pictures with fellow judge Heidi Klum, 51, and the show’s host.

Mandel marched back towards the carpet and purposefully stood before the AGT boss and executive producer, blocking him from photographers.

As Klum pulled him away, an unhappy Cowell complained, “You cannot do that.”

Mandel also mentioned touching his co-star’s hand during the scramble to push the buzzer.

“In 15 years guys that is the only hand I ever touched by accident,” the famous germaphobe fired back at Cowell.

America’s Got Talent judges

THOUSANDS of hopefuls have graced the America’s Got Talent stage to showcase their abilities.

On the carpet, Cowell justified his sneaky move to the TV interviewer.

“Look they were best act and they deserved a Golden Buzzer,” he said.

MAKING AMENDS?

Mandel admitted to The U.S. Sun that he was unsure whether or not the two could make peace over the buzzer move.

The comic also confirmed that he and Cowell had not sorted out their beef and that he was planning to head to H.R.

Mandel, who began hosting AGT in 2010, insisted the drama was not a PR stunt.

America’s Got Talent judge Sofia Vergara gets caught in the middle of Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell during their Golden Buzzer fightCredit: instagram/AGT
“I didn’t know Simon was going to go for it. Then I was just listening to him and he goes, I’m going to get in trouble for this,” he explained.

“And he started standing up and I went, no. And I got there right in time because my reflexes are like that of a, I’m actually 68, but I have the reflexes of a 63-year-old.”

The comic joked that his position was similar to that of US Olympian Jordan Chiles, who believed she had won a medal before game executives changed their minds.

“The judges have reconvened and this isn’t like the Jordan thing in the Olympics Well, it’s kind of like that, right?” he asked.

Howie Mandel screams at Simon Cowell for hitting the Golden Buzzer after Airfootworks’ performanceCredit: instagram/AGT
“They gave me the Golden Buzzer. I hope two weeks from now the judges don’t reconvene.

“I am the judge. They don’t reconvene and take away my golden buzzer,” he added.

“Or maybe they’ll give us both a golden buzzer like the Olympics. I don’t know how they’re going to deal with this, but I made it to my podium.”

While Klum compared the judges to feuding schoolboys, she also noted that Cowell has the authority to do what he wants.

“No one can stop Simon Cowell if it’s not his turn, he makes it his turn, and we love him for it,” the supermodel said.

“We, I love that he breaks the rules. If anyone can break the rules, it’s the boss and yeah, again, we love him for it because he is just wild and crazy.”

America’s Got Talent judges Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Simon Cowell at this season’s QuarterfinalsCredit: Getty
Fellow judge Sofia Vergara, 52, avoided the red-carpet drama and preferred not to pose with her fellow stars.

GOLDEN BUZZER RULE

Season 19 of AGT premiered earlier this year on May 28.

Following a brief hiatus during the 2024 Paris Olympics, the live shows started on August 13 and featured a major format change.

The Golden Buzzer, which had only been used to advance acts to the next round during auditions, would now be available for judges to use during live performances.

“For the first time ever in America’s Got Talent history, the Golden Buzzer is about to go live,” Terry revealed.

“One more from each judge will send acts straight to the finals. This summer, anything can happen,” he added.

The Live Results show will air tonight, Wednesday, August 21 at 8/7c.

Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Simon Cowell, and Terry Crews attend the America’s Got Talent Season 19 Quarterfinals red carpetCredit: Getty

Comedian Howie Mandel points fingers on the America’s Got Talent Season 19 Quarterfinals red carpet in Pasadena, CaliforniaCredit: Getty

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America’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell stands and claps after a performance during the Season 19 QuarterfinalsCredit: Getty