Darrell Hammond, a former cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2009, recently opened up about his time on the show. The comedian, known for his spot-on impersonations, admitted that he didn’t always find the humor in his performances and often felt unsatisfied with his work. He described feeling like he had disgraced himself after leaving the show on many occasions and struggled with the pressure of producing a new live episode every week.
During a podcast interview with Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, Hammond reflected on his time on SNL and the challenges he faced. He mentioned feeling dissatisfied with his performances and explained the difficulties of doing impressions on a tight schedule. Hammond emphasized the pressure of creating new content each week and the impact it had on his mental state, leading to moments of self-doubt and frustration with the process.
While Hammond held the title of SNL’s longest-serving cast member during his tenure on the show, he has since been surpassed by Kenan Thompson, who has been a cast member since 2003. Despite his ups and downs on SNL, Hammond returned to the show in 2014 as the full-time announcer, taking over from the late Don Pardo. He shared that sitting in for Pardo when he had laryngitis several times over the years felt like a natural transition for him and an honor to follow in his footsteps.
In his interview, Hammond expressed gratitude for the opportunities he has had in his career, despite the challenges he faced on SNL. He acknowledged the improbability of his life’s trajectory and the unexpected turns that led him to where he is today. Hammond shared that while he didn’t anticipate becoming the announcer for SNL, it felt like the right move for him and brought a sense of fulfillment to his career.
Throughout his time on SNL and beyond, Hammond has proven himself as a versatile and talented performer, known for his exceptional impersonations and comedic timing. His honesty about the struggles he faced behind the scenes sheds light on the pressures of working in a high-profile sketch comedy show and the emotional toll it can take on its cast members. Despite his challenges, Hammond’s resilience and dedication to his craft have allowed him to carve out a successful career in the entertainment industry.
In conclusion, Darrell Hammond’s candid reflections on his time on Saturday Night Live offer insight into the inner workings of the iconic show and the emotional challenges faced by its cast members. His honesty about feeling dissatisfied with his performances highlights the intense pressure and expectations placed on comedians in the industry. Despite these struggles, Hammond’s resilience and talent have allowed him to thrive in the entertainment world and continue to make audiences laugh with his hilarious impersonations and comedic skills.
