Rick wrote:
Oh, sorry scotpens, can't agree with that.  I saw OHMSS in the theater when it was brand-new, and when the sequence ended and Lazenby delivered that line to the camera there was a huge laugh and a burst of applause from the audience.  

To me it was, first, a clever and graceful way of saying, "Okay, we all know Sean Connery is not here, let's just get past it."  And, secondly, it's a great joke. I thought then, and think now, that it was a brilliant way to start the movie and to introduce the new Bond.
I'm with you 100%, Rick. I loved it and still love it. It was unexpected and fun and that one time it was just fine by me.