Darrell Hammond to be new ‘SNL’ announcer

Longtime former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Darrell Hammond is returning to the show to be the new announcer, following the death of Don Pardo in August. | Charles Sykes/AP

He’s baaaaack! Darrell Hammond is returning to “Saturday Night Live,” the long-running weekend sketch comedy show where he was an ensemble member for 14 seasons. Hammond, who left “SNL” in 2009, will replace the late Don Pardo as the show’s announcer. Pardo died in August at age 96.

Over the years, Hammond did fill-in for Pardo when he had laryngitis.

About Pardo, Hammond told USA Today, “He was a lovely person. When he passed, they wanted me; it felt right for me to be the one to replace him. … It’s been a very improbable life. I didn’t expect something like this, but it feels real good.”

“Saturday Night Live” executive producer Lorne Michaels said about the new announcing gig for Hammond, “I just knew it wouldn’t be anybody who sounded like Don or replicated him. It can’t be what it was, but it could sort of be in the same tradition. And it will be nice to have Darrell around. He understands the show and will probably be helpful in ways we haven’t yet figured out.”