The passing of the great Don Pardo earlier this year marked the end of a era for Saturday Night Live. But, just like in life, the show must go on.
Today it was announced who would replace the announcer who’d been with the show since it started – Darrell Hammond. Hammond is not only a familiar face, having been in a cast member longer than anyone else – 1996 till 2009 – he’s a master impressionist. (Was there a better Bill Clinton impression ever?)
While this is a new job for Hammond, it’s familiar territory for him. Not only are the surroundings someplace he’s spent a lot of time, he’s filled in for Pardo over the years when Don was sick.
Here’s the late Don Pardo talking about the first time Darrell Hammond covered for him.
I think it’s pretty clear that Don would approve.