If you're going to lose your cool around celebrities you spot on the street, let this prank serve as a lesson: Make sure that star you're asking to take a picture with is really who you think they are.
Detroit's Mojo in the Morning radio show fooled people on the street with a Street Scam segment that featured a tax accountant named Doug who happens to look a bit like actor Ryan Gosling. (Maybe he's watched this over and over.)
In sunglasses and a hoodie, in a city where the actor is filming a movie, the resemblance became more believable and fans easily took the bait.
With Lyin' Gosling wandering around downtown Detroit at lunch hour with a fake security detail and other hangers-on, people were quick to whip out their cell phones and approach the "actor."
"Why is he here?" a woman asks when Lyin' Gosling shows up in a Wayne State University cafe. "He's thirsty," replies fake security guy.
More women -- and men -- are shown hugging the "actor" and having their picture taken with him. He doesn't have to say anything -- just wearing his sweatshirt hood on his head is apparently enough to signal to fans, "I'm that 'Notebook' guy. Maybe."
With real-time tweets flashing over video of the scam, the whole stunt is certainly a study in celebrity obsession. And smart-phone obsession. Just check out the dozens of photos on the radio station's website.