Darrell Hammond takes over for Don Pardo on 'SNL'

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New York • A familiar face — former cast member Darrell Hammond — is taking over for a familiar voice at "Saturday Night Live."

The show announced Thursday that Hammond, who acted on the long-running comedy show from 1995 to 2009, will replace announcer Don Pardo for the Sept. 27 season opener.

For all but one year of the NBC show's 40-year history, it was Pardo's voice that would announce the host, musical guest and cast members every week, and he continued the job even after he retired to Arizona. Pardo died at age 96 on Aug. 18.

Hammond, known best for his impersonations of President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore on the show, could also approximate Pardo's voice and had the chance to do it.

A handful of times while he was on the show, Pardo wasn't available and Hammond filled in for him. NBC never announced the change, and although a few bloggers may have noticed something different, it wasn't widely known.