Following in Dad’s Footsteps? Simon Cowell Says Son Eric Is a ‘Brilliant Judge’

“America's Got Talent” is back, and “Extra's” Terri Seymour has the scoop from executive producer and judge Simon Cowell.

Simon promises this season is the weirdest and wildest yet, even featuring death-defying stunts.

He told Terri, “Do you know how many people nearly died on the show this year? We say, 'Now what's the act?' 'Oh, I might die,' like they're happy. I'm like, 'I don't want you to die – nearly die – but not die.”

While the contestants may be performing scary stunts, the set is very family friendly. Simon's 3-year-old son Eric spends time at the show watching dad at work.

Simon said Eric is a good judge. “He is a brilliant judge… I watch him, and when he likes an act he's normally right, and when an act's a bit boring and he loses interest, he's normally right… he loves pushing the buzzers. He's got a real sense of it and he likes coming down.”

Cowell added that new host Tyra Banks was the right choice. “I got to hand it to her… she's very compassionate, she's very funny, I think she's going to do a brilliant job.”

He also opened up about fellow judge and good friend Mel B, who has been dealing with a high profile divorce from Stephen Belafonte. “She's been amazing… I genuinely didn't know that all this was going to happen.”

Offering Mel advice, he said, “I basically said all of us have been in horrific bad relationships ourselves… You come out strong.”