1-900-490-FREAK (lost audio from "Freddie Freaker" interactive 1900 number; 1987-1995)

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TheFreak.png

A screenshot of a commercial advertising the phone line.

Status: Lost

1-900-490-FREAK, mostly known for its commercial, was an interactive 1900 number that mostly geared towards kids and teenagers. When someone would call the number, the caller would be given a choice from leaving a recording, hearing a recording, leave a message to Freddie Freaker - the mascot for the 1900 phone line - and learn what was popular and what wasn't.[1]

A large majority of the recordings were rap songs, while others were jokes, weird sounds, and party locations. The most creative of the recordings would even get broadcasted on the phone in their own section, and the people who managed to get their recordings there would be known as a "Freak Phone Star."

It became a huge hit with MTV audiences and callers to a point where people would often ask for official Freddie Freaker merchandise. These plans never came to fruition at the time due to the company that owned the phone line (Starwest Entertainment) wanting to focus more on developing the phone programs and because of prototyping costs.

Kevin Leto (The co-creator of Freddie) described what would happen if you called the number:

"You could make funny recordings, freaky messages, record rap tunes, leave a message for Freddie, hear about what's freakin, anything and everything. The majority of the messages were user-created rap tunes. Some were really good rappers. Then we had a section to hear the best recordings".

Availability

Most of what was recorded on the phone line were recorded on physical tape machines and are still in storage to this day. However, none of the recordings of the Freak Phone Stars have been released online. With thoughts of reviving the phone line's mascot, it is possible that these recordings could be heard in the future.

Gallery

A commercial that was used on MTV to advertise the phone number.

The 2nd commercial.

External Links

Reference