Frank Caliendo Shares Throwback Of His Classic ‘Todd Todd Todd!’ Mel Kiper Jr. Impression
Comedy icon reveals memorable NFL Draft moment that showcased his spot-on ESPN analyst imitation
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Impressionist and comedian Frank Caliendo recently took fans on a trip down memory lane by sharing one of his career-defining moments – the birth of his Mel Kiper Jr. impression complete with the catchphrase “Todd Todd Todd!”
In a video posted to Instagram, Caliendo reminisced about this particular impression that helped cement his reputation as one of entertainment’s premier sports impressionists. “One of my faves… the first time I broke out the ‘Todd Todd Todd!’ with the Mel Kiper Jr. impression. #nfldraft #nfl #throwback,” he captioned the post.
The video clip shows Caliendo perfectly mimicking ESPN’s longtime NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s distinctive vocal patterns, mannerisms, and enthusiasm when discussing draft prospects. The “Todd Todd Todd!” catchphrase became an instant hit with fans and a staple in Caliendo’s routine.
The Making Of A Classic Impression
For those unfamiliar with Mel Kiper Jr., he’s been ESPN’s draft expert since 1984, known for his encyclopedic knowledge of college football prospects and his passionate, sometimes over-the-top delivery when evaluating talent. Kiper’s distinctive voice, hairstyle, and mannerisms have made him a cultural icon during NFL Draft season.
Caliendo’s ability to capture Kiper’s essence – from the vocal inflections to the rapid-fire delivery of player assessments – showcases why he’s considered one of the top impressionists in comedy. The “Todd Todd Todd!” call specifically references Kiper’s tendency to emphasize players’ names repeatedly when making a point about their potential.
Nfl Draft Season Brings Out Caliendo’s Best
This throwback post comes as the NFL Draft season approaches, a time when Caliendo’s sports impressions typically receive increased attention. Just last week, Caliendo shared another draft-related post featuring a “Super Mario Bros. – Madden Edition” comedy bit with the caption, “NFL Draft this week… Super Mario Bros. – Madden Edition … I still think this would have worked well.”
According to his Wikipedia page, Caliendo rose to prominence through his work on sketch comedy shows like “MADtv” and has made numerous appearances on sports programs, particularly on ESPN and Fox’s NFL pregame shows. His impressions of sports personalities like John Madden, Jon Gruden, and of course, Mel Kiper Jr., have become part of sports broadcasting culture.
Beyond Sports Impressions
While sports fans know Caliendo for his spot-on impressions of figures like Kiper, his repertoire extends far beyond the athletic world. In recent Instagram posts, Caliendo has shared impressions of Morgan Freeman, Robert Downey Jr., and various U.S. presidents including Donald Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.
In one recent post, he reminisced about his “Batman Trump” impression, writing: “#Flashback to #batTrump, New standup dates, April: Dallas, Houston, Louisville & many more … Link in profile, FrankOnStage.com.”
Speaking of Dallas, Caliendo recently performed at a comedy club in Addison, Texas, as evidenced by photos shared on Instagram showing him on stage engaging with an enthusiastic audience.
Keeping Impressions Fresh
Caliendo continues to refine his craft and connect with new audiences. In another recent post, he mentioned: “Throwing this reply to the fantastic @lukastarnold back out there for all the new people following… #throwback #morganfreeman #impression #mondaymorgan #mondaymotivation.”
He also recently shared an impression tutorial he dubbed “The Pizza Slice,” noting: “Came across this today. I feel like I need to bring back the tutorials.”
For fans of comedy impressions, Caliendo’s social media provides a mix of classic bits like the Mel Kiper “Todd Todd Todd!” moment alongside fresh material, showcasing the evolution of his craft over his two-decade career.
As the NFL Draft approaches, viewers can likely expect more sports-related impressions from Caliendo, who has built much of his reputation on his ability to capture the essence of sports broadcasting personalities during major sporting events like the draft.
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