REST IN PEACE: DON PARDO, THE VOICE OF "SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE" (FEBRUARY 22, 1918 - AUGUST 18, 2014)

Radio and television announcer Dominick "Don" Pardo passed away Monday evening in his Tuscon, Arizona home. He was 96. Pardo was the longtime announcer for NBC's "Saturday Night Live," providing the introductions for 38 seasons. He only missed one season of "SNL," making him the longest running member of the late night show.

Pardo joined NBC as an announcer in 1944. He participated in various entertainment and news radio programs. He voiced for NBC Radio, several game shows (including The Price Is Right and Jeopardy!) and soap opera openings before joining "Saturday Night Live" in 1975. Pardo retired from NBC in 2004 but continued providing the "SNL" introductions. Towards the later seasons, Pardo stopped making the weekly flights to New York and instead pre-recorded the introductions from his home in Arizona.

Don Pardo was inducted to the Television Hall of Fame in 2010, and was one of only two people who had lifetime contracts with NBC (Bob Hope was the other).

#RIP #SNL #DonPardo

FALL 2013: CECILY STRONG CO-ANCHORING SNL'S 'WEEKEND UPDATE'

Saturday Night Live is revamping its Weekend Update segment in preparation for Seth Meyers' impending departure.

Beginning this season, sophmore performer Cecily Strong will co-anchor the mock news segment Weekend Update. It isn't definite yet if Strong will permanently take over the hosting duties (solo or co-anchoring) once Seth Meyers departs the show for NBC's Late Night in February. Interestingly, since Late Night doesn't shoot on Fridays, SNL is holding hope that Seth Meyers will perform double duty and continue with the late night comedy sketch show.

Cecily Strong has become a favorite of Lorne Michaels due to her successful first year on the show. Strong's Weekend Update persona, The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party, became one of the season's breakthrough acts. 

SNL has contracted six new performers for the upcoming season, which you can revisit in a prior post. Meanwhile Tim Robinson, a new addition to the show last year, will be moving off stage and into the writers room for the 39th season.

Saturday Night Live returns September 28 with Tina Fey and Arcade Fire.

FALL 2013: 'SNL' LOOKING AT NEW TALENT FOR NEW SEASON

Saturday Night Live is attempting to fill some very big shoes thanks to the departures of several long-time cast members. With the show's 39th season just around the corner and on the heels of Bill Hader, Fred Armisen, and Jason Sudeikis' exits, as well as Seth Meyers' impending mid-season departure, SNL is on the hunt for some new not-ready-for-primetime players. This time around, the show's producers are looking at some members of the improv and sketch comedy group Upright Citizens Brigade. Last year's influx of new cast members were all former Second City performers. The show is specifically eyeing four members of the comedy troupe: Beck Bennett, Kyle Mooney, Noel Wells, and John Milhiser. Readers can search YouTube for videos of these talented comedians and impressionists. Our money would probably be on Beck Bennett...a.k.a. the AT&T guy.

Saturday Night Live starts its new season on September 28.

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