Callin' Daryl and John

CALLIN’ OATES: Mainstream media has been buzzing about the latest online viral sensation in @callinoates, an absolutely free, "emergency Hall and Oates help line.” Simply dial (719) 266-2837 (1-719-26-OATES) and a pleasant woman with an English accent will direct you to punch 1-4 if you want to hear “One on One,” “Rich Girl,” “Maneater” or “Private Eyes.” It’s the invention of Internet whiz Michael Selvidge (@selviano) and partner Reid Butler (@rbutlersf), who both work for S.F.-based cloud communications firm Twilio. The number had received more than 400k calls within 48 hours of going into operation, helped along with a Twitter feed and the marketing acumen of their company. Hall and Oates manager Jonathan Wolfson says he was as surprised as anyone to discover the “Callin’ Oates” hot line when everyone from MSNBC to TMZ started calling him about it. “It didn't shock me in the least, because there's been a major renaissance with the Hall and Oates brand in the last few years,” he said. “And, as momentum continues to grow, things start happening. But that doesn't explain why I keep getting a busy signal." (12/22p)