Artice by Amy Cohen
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - "It was, as all great things are, impromptu, " says Fox 13 reporter, Les Smith.
And there began the story of "The Door". It started as a stakeout for a glimpse of Coach Cal leaving the athletic building. No coach Cal, but you never knew who would come through the door.
"I think the door as it opens, hey, Coach Tommy West right there," says Smith.
The anticipation of a potential sighting sparked playful banter between Fox 13 reporter Les Smith and two photographers, including an exclusive interview with the door, causing the chat rooms to go nuts.
"We had no real idea I guess that people in Kentucky were like hanging on every word of what we were saying so I guess after awhile we just went free form and it turned out to be a phenomenon that nobody expected," says Smith.
The fans came out of the woodwork, and onto the internet. YouTube clips playing on "The Door" theme, an I heart "The Door" t-shirt, hmm would that mean royalties for "The Door"?,
advertising potential, " Tiger baseball put a sign up that said Tiger baseball tomorrow night at 6:30," says Fox 13 photojournalist Kevin Barbee, and national exposure.
"I started getting phone calls and they're like you guys are on the front of ESPN.com and I'm like what? " says Barbee.
More than 900 fans have become friends of the door on Facebook, trumping by the hundreds door reporter Les Smith's fan created page, but he's willing to share the fame.
"The door and I are, I think the word is symbiotic, I am the door, the door is me."
Whatever you do, don't insult the door, "It's not just a door, Amy," argues Smith.
Though it's a mystery what's behind the door, rest assured Les Smith will be the first to find out.
