Voice of 'SNL' recovering from broken hip

No one has been more involved with Saturday Night Live during it run than Don Pardo, the show's announcer. Since the show began in 1975, Pardo has missed one season, from 1981-1982. Even at 95 years old, Pardo continues to serve as the announcer and appears most every week.

However, he missed the show last Saturday (which was hosted by Kevin Hart), as well as the February 16 broadcast, because of a broken hip. 

The injury is not expected to keep him away from his position any longer than necessary. NBC went through measures to hide the injury, including using an impersonator to deliver the show's opening. You cannot forge a masterpiece, however, and many keen observers figured out that something was amiss.

NBC has remained quiet about his condition, as well as when he will return to the series. Pardo retired to Arizona two years ago and pre-records his work for the show from his home studio.

Pardo's career began in 1938, when he began working as a radio talent. He began working with NBC in 1944. During his time at the Peacock, he has worked in a variety of roles, including as the original announcer for Jeopardy when it first appeared on NBC's daytime schedule. 

Additionally, he has been a big part of WNBC's newscasts. He served as the on-air announcer for Live at Five with Sue Simmons and Jack Cafferty in the 1980s He also did the voice-over intro and outro for Len Berman's Spanning the World sports highlight segment.