Verbal Haze

Watcha Doin’ Darrell?

Sean Connery: I’ll take “Foreign Chicks” for 200.

Alex Trebek: That’s “Foreign FLICKS” Mr. Connery.

Sean Connery: Well, the game is afoot. I’ll take “Anal Bum Cover” for 300.
Alex Trebek: That’s “AN ALBUM COVER”, not anal bum cover.
Sean Connery: I can read, Trebek. That says anal bum cover. I’ve spent five years of my life trying to invent an anal bum cover; failing to do so is my greatest regret.

Alex Trebek: Mr. Connery, go ahead.
Sean Connery: The day is mine! I’ll take “Famous Titties” for 400.
Alex Trebek: TITLES, it’s “Famous Titles”.
Sean Connery: Damn! …

I’m sure most of you recognize these quotes. There are so many more I could devote an entire blog to quotations from the infamous Saturday Night Live “Celebrity Jeopardy” sketches.

“Celebrity Jeopardy” was one of SNL’s biggest hits, and it basically consisted of impressions, with a ton of “your mom” jokes sandwiched in between. I wonder if that’s where the obsession with “your mom” jokes started…

Anyway, everyone knows “Celebrity Jeopardy” for two performances (maybe three, if you count Norm McDonald’s Burt Reynolds): Will Ferrell, as Alex Trebek , and ..uh… WHO played Sean Connery again?

That’s right; no one has a clue. I feel bad, because the chemistry between “that guy” and Ferrell is what made that sketch click. This guy clearly hasn’t gotten the credit he deserves.

So I did some research…

The guy who played Sean Connery on “Celebrity Jeopardy” was Darrell Hammond.

Yeah, him, an SNL regular; but, what’s his deal? Who is this guy?

At this point I don’t know which way to lean. Do I applaud him for his great impression of Sean Connery? Or should I bash him for failing to have even a B-list career after being part of one of the best sketches in SNL history. The highest he’s gone on the Hollywood food chain is New York Minute. Which, by the way, was the last movie starring Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Good company there, champ. When you play a supporting role in a movie starring the kids from Full House, you know you’ve made it.

Did I mention he also had a part in Agent Cody Banks?

But I have to admit, the guy can do a great Sean Connery, and a decent Bill Clinton.

So I salute you, Mr. Sean-Connery-Impressionist-Guy and best of luck in your future auditions.