Celtics Star Rajon Rondo on Jimmy Kimmel

[Josh Board]

Jimmy Kimmel is the best late night host working today. His monologues are great, his interview style, and sense of humor.

Last year during the NBA Finals, he had shows that aired immediately after the games. One of the things he did was using an NBA star (I’m almost positive it was Shaq), to prank fans that were lined up for a fake autograph session Kimmel had staged.

This year, he used Celtics star Rajon Rondo. What is odd is that they only showed one prank they did, but it was funny.

Kimmel uses his Cousin Sal to go out and do these pranks, and he plays the guy that sets up the autographs the fans are getting. These people don’t know there are hidden cameras and that they’re going to be pranked.

Kimmel opened the segment by saying “These guys are fanatics…that’s where ‘fan’ comes from, so they can overlook the flaws these stars have…or how weird they can be.”

This guy Dan walked in, and he was dressed in work out clothes. Sal immediately tells this guy that Rondo is a huge germaphobe. He pulls out a bottle of Perel and starts having this guy rub his hands in it, while Sal starts rubbing it all over the guys arms. The guy apologized for working out and being all sweaty, to which Sal explains “Don’t tell that to Rondo.”

Sal applies the Perel liberally to the mans face, including his ears. He also has Dan put on a mask. When Sal finds out the guy has a camera he states “We’re gonna put Perel on it. Is it Perel proof? Doesn’t matter, we’re gonna do it anyway.”

When Rondo finally comes out, he’s coughing up a storm. He immediately tells Sal “I can still see some skin.”

With that, he disappears back behind the curtain he was at. Sal takes paper out, and starts wrapping up this guys arms. He ends up looking like a mummy and can barely move. He also can’t talk very well, with everything covering his face. Sal asks what item he wants signed, and he shows the rookie card he brought. Sal said “Oh. He was so sick when he was a rookie.”

Rondo comes out again coughing, and the guy tries talking to him. You can’t understand anything he’s saying. Rondo asks if everything was wiped down, and asks the guy as he looks at the card “Did you touch this?!”

He then tells Sal he can still see some of the guys shoulder, so they continue wrapping more paper around him. The fan is trying to praise Rondo, but again…you can barely hear the words coming out of his mouth. The guy does suggest they use his phone to take the photo, because of all the Perel on his camera. He can’t fit his arm and hand into his pocket, because they’re wrapped in so much paper. Sal reaches in to grab the camera, even with the guy pleading with him not to.

Sal tells them he’ll take the photo of them together, but warns “Don’t get too close. In fact, stand on this side of the table.”

When the photo is taken, the crowd laughs. That’s because this fan has a photo with Rajon Rondo – and you can’t even tell who it is.

I’m guessing he was thrilled with the final outcome, since they obviously had to get his permission afterwards to air this. He probably also got that, and other items, signed by Rondo – as well as a longer conversation with him afterwards.