“America's Got Talent” Season 20 Premiere Kicks Off with New Twist as Simon Cowell Calls It the 'Best First Episode' (Exclusive)

America's Got Talent is backmost for its milestone play — and pinch an breathtaking alteration to its format!

In PEOPLE's exclusive first look astatine nan talent show's play 20 premiere, nan show offers a much friendly look into their accumulation arsenic good arsenic really personage judges Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Howie Mandel and Mel B walk their clip down nan scenes.

"I get really, really anxious and tense earlier immoderate season, and I suppose, because it's nan 20th year, that puts moreover much unit connected everyone," Simon admits successful nan clip, arsenic he sits successful a car and makes his measurement to nan venue. "So, we're conscionable going to believe that group turned retired this year."

"Otherwise we're screwed," he quips arsenic hundreds of prospective contestants make their measurement to auditions.

Simon, Howie and Sofía each yet get astatine nan auditorium. Alongside big Terry Crews, nan judges make their measurement done nan crowd and statesman greeting nan group lining up to audition for play 20.

Buzzers are disinfected, mounting sprays are applied and Mel B's "X" is freshly unveiled. The erstwhile Spice Girl yet makes her entranceway and hugs nan first personification she sees: Howie. When she comes look to look pinch Sofía, they hug and speech saccharine words.

"You look gorgeous!" she says, gesturing to her outfit arsenic Sofía replies, "Thank you truthful much!"

Finally, Mel B finds Simon successful his trailer, who greets her pinch unfastened arms.

"She's back!" he says arsenic nan 2 embrace.

One by one, nan judges make their charismatic entrances pinch Terry starring nan pack, and Howie, Sofía, and Mel B pursuing behind. Last but not least, Simon makes his measurement to nan stage.

As flashes from nan jaw-dropping acts from this play play connected screen, nan judges respond to nan talented contestants pinch immoderate moreover pushing their Golden Buzzer.

In a connection shared pinch PEOPLE, Simon opens up astir really AGT's caller behind-the-scenes format will springiness audiences a deeper dive into nan show's soul workings arsenic good arsenic their favourite contestants.

"This play is typical - I reckon we’re showing astir 40% much of nan process and everything that goes connected down nan scenes, which I find fascinating," he says. "This year, fans will get to spot what it’s for illustration to beryllium a contestant: nan highs, nan nerves, and nan emotions. Everything."

"This is thing we each felt passion astir sharing pinch nan audience," he notes. "In addition, it’s nan 20th season, truthful it felt right, and I personally deliberation this is nan champion first section of AGT I’ve ever seen, and I dream you do too."

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America's Got Talent play 20 premieres Tuesday, May 27 astatine 8 p.m. ET connected NBC.