Darrell Hammond Returns to SNL Take Over Announcing Duties from the Late Don Pardo

Most Saturday Night Live stars leave the show in their comedic prime because they want to become movie stars, and a great many of them find success. Darrell Hammond never did, though. He was on the show forever, and after a while it just didn't seem like he was ever going to leave.

Of course, the master of impressions did finally leave back in 2009, wrapping up a record-breaking 14-year run. But now, five years later, Hammond is coming back studio 8H. Only it won't be as a cast member.

Today NBC officially announced that Darrell Hammond will be taking over announcing duties for the legendary Don Pardo, who passed away in August at the ripe old age of 96.

Hammond will begin his new SNL gig when the 40th season premiers on September 27th with host Chris Pratt. However, that won't actually be the first time he's performed the job. As he explained to USA Today, he actually filled in for Pardo several times over the years when Pardo had laryngitis.

But back then Hammond just imitated Pardo. Going forward, producer Lorne Michaels says Hammond will come up with a voice that pays tribute to Pardo's legacy without trying to replicate him. And that's probably a good thing, because it would be really weird if Hammond just kept doing the voice of a dead guy.