The introduction to “Saturday Night Live” will undoubtedly sound different this season, but it’ll also have an air of familiarity.
NBC’s iconic sketch show will bring in former cast member Darrell Hammond, who was on the program from 1995-2009, to replace the late Don Pardo as the show’s announcer, TheWrap has confirmed. Pardo died in August at the age of 96, having announced during all but one of “SNL’s” 39 seasons.
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Hammond, a master impressionist who was known for his work as Bill Clinton and Sean Connery, among others, filled in for Pardo on multiple occasions during his record run as a cast member. He will not, however, be impersonating Pardo now that he has taken over as full-time announcer.
“I’m really happy about it,” Lorne Michaels, “SNL” chief, told the New York Times. “I think it will be good to have Darrell doing his own separate thing.”
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“SNL” will boast several changes this year, with a new Weekend Update team — former writer Michael Che returns from “The Daily Show” to join Colin Jost at the desk — and several new cast members, including comedian Pete Davidson.
The show’s 40th season will kick off on September 27, with “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Parks and Recreation” star Chris Pratt as host, and Ariana Grande as musical guest.