Probably? Ever since last year’s triumphantly epic “Goodnight Saigon†season-closing sketch, there has been speculation that after fourteen seasons as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, Darrell Hammond would be moving on to other pursuits. However, right before Labor Day, Variety reported that Hammond was still in negotiations with producers to return for a fifteenth season. And considering that he appeared on an episode of Weekend Update Thursday just last week, all signs were pointing to Hammond’s return to the show. However, when the opening credits of the season 35 premiere of Saturday Night Live rolled this weekend, Darrell Hammond’s face was nowhere to be seen, leading Mediaite to speculate that Hammond is indeed “out†as an official cast member. Lorne Michaels is notoriously tight-lipped when it comes to personnel decisions, so don’t expect any official announcement from either him or NBC’s PR department, but also don’t be surprised to see Hammond cameo on a few shows this season, should a sketch call for one of his trademark impressions.
Big Loss: Darrell Hammond Out At Saturday Night Live [Mediaite]