Saturday Night Live vet Darrell Hammond will return to his roots this month when he takes over as the show's announcer.

Hammond succeeds Don Pardo, who passed away last month, was the NBC series' longest-tenured employee, having been introducing the show since 1975.

During Hammond's on-screen time on the show (1995-2009), he occasionally filled in as announcer, including a 1999 episode in which the comedian impersonated Pardo, who was recovering from laryngitis.

"It can't be what it was, but it could sort of be in the same tradition," producer Lorne Michaels told USA Today. "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 kicks off its 40th season on Sept. 27, with host Chris Pratt and musical guest Ariana Grande.