Following the unfortunate passing of famed Saturday Night Live announcer Don Pardo at age 96, SNL head honcho Lorne Michaels named former cast member Darrell Hammond to be his official replacement. USA Today reports Hammond was the show’s longest-tenured cast member with 14 seasons under his belt. He’s best known for his impersonations of President Bill Clinton, Donald Trump, and Sean Connery. He can also impersonate the late Pardo; whenever the former announcer was diagnosed with laryngitis over the year, Hammond would sit in for him at the mic.

Hammond tells it like this: “I sat in for Don when he had laryngitis several times over the years,” Hammond says. “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.”

Michaels also commented on his decision: “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.”

SNL returns tonight (9/27) on NBC with host Chris Pratt and musical guest Ariana Grande. A new opening montage will accompany Hammond’s debut.

[Via USA Today]