Posted on 05/26/2004 9:09:23 PM PDT by freedom44
Why do all phone numbers in TV shows, movies, etc., have the prefix 555? Is it an FCC regulation? --Mary Jane, formerly of Lawrence, Kansas
Dear Mary Jane:
Believe it or not, there are a few pinheads out there with nothing better to do than sit down and call every number they see on a television show or in a movie. "Hello, is Kojak there?" they say, chuckling at the sublimity of their wit. Generally, Kojak is not there, which causes a great deal of inconvenience for the poor sap who is. In one case several years ago a Peanuts strip carried a number that turned out to belong to a family in Moline, Illinois. Over 50 calls, ranging from plaintive requests to speak to Snoopy to less plaintive requests of a considerably darker nature, were logged in one evening.
Up until a few years ago, the phone company maintained a service that provided fictional (i.e., unused) numbers to producers and writers. But it soon developed, in this wide, wonderful country of ours, that there wasn't a single number that wasn't in use somewhere. The "555" gambit was created in 1973--no matter where you are, dialing the 555 number plugs you into directory assistance, where a legion of professionally trained operators awaits to answer the particular crankiness of your call. 555 isn't an FCC regulation, but simply a convenient creation of Ma Bell.
Back when Bruce Almighty came out, people called "God's" number from the pager. It was all over the news.
If you dialed 666-6666 in GA back in the 80's it gave you this really strange and demented tune.
Was it the theme from the Omen or the Exorcist? ;-)
867-5309
Jenny Jenny who can I turn to
you give me something I can hold on to
now you think I'm like the others before
who saw you name and number on the wall
Jenny I got your number
I need to make you mine
Jenny don't change your number
867-5309, 867-5309, 867-5309, 867-5309
Jenny Jenny your the girl for me
you don't know me, but you make me so happy
I tried to call you before but I lost the nerve
I tried my imagination but I was disturbed
Jenny I got your number
I need to make you mine
Jenny don't change your number
867-5309, 867-5309, 867-5309, 867-5309
I got it, I got it, I got your number on the wall
I got it, I got it, for a good time, for a good time call
Jenny don't change your number
I need to make you mine
Jenny I got your number
867-5309, 867-5309, 867-5309, 867-5309
Jenny Jenny who can I turn to (867-5309)
for the price of a dime I can always turn to you
I was in school when "Jenny" was a hit. The next town over had the 867 exchange. Of course the poor sap with 5309 was called all the time. The local radio station would tell people not to call the number before they played "Jenny". Doubt it had any effect.
867-5309....
Thanks for posting those lyrics. I loved that song, still do.
I keep getting a call from someone with the phone # 888-888-8888...have no idea who it is. There's never anybody there when I answer the phone...creepy!
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