‘Stranger Things’ Takes ’80s Nostalgia to the Next Level With Throwback Telethon

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Stranger Things will be back in 2025 for its last season, after being off-air for over three years. The show will once again transport viewers back in time to join the Hawkins crew as they battle Vecna in a final, epic confrontation. To celebrate, fans can embrace the ’80s style, and several brands are partnering with Netflix to create special experiences. Doritos has announced it’s bringing back popular flavors from the ’80s, along with some new ones. However, their biggest initiative promises to take fans even further back in time – unless you actually lived through the ’80s! They’re hosting a retro-style telethon, the “Doritos Telethon for Hawkins,” where fans can call in and show their support for the characters.

According to Bloody Disgusting, the telethon will feature a number of celebrities from the 1980s, and viewers can expect hidden surprises – known as Easter Eggs – and intentionally distorted signals. Dedicated fans can dial 1-855-4-HAWKINS to participate and see what unfolds.

According to PepsiCo Foods boss Chris Bellinger, the Telethon for Hawkins is designed to be a celebration for fans of the show. He described it as featuring a lineup of popular ’80s stars – including Paula Abdul, David Hasselhoff, and ALF – and a call-in experience that aims to recreate the feeling of watching television in 1987. Bellinger explained that they carefully crafted everything, from the retro visuals to unexpected surprises, to make viewers feel like they were actively participating in the story, as if calling into a snack-powered hotline connected to the Upside Down.

The ’80s Homage Ends This Year With ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5

Both David Hasselhoff and Paul Abdul shared their thoughts on being involved in this really creative marketing campaign. Hasselhoff talked about potential “glitches” as people start calling: “When things get a little shaky and Hawkins needs help, you bring in the best – that’s why I answered the phone. The Doritos Telethon for Hawkins isn’t just a fun trip down memory lane, it’s a huge show of support. I’ve been through a lot, but hearing fans send messages for Hawkins – that’s truly heroic.”

While ALF didn’t share his thoughts, 80s singer Paula Abdul was happy to talk about being selected to promote Stranger Things.

Participating in the Telethon for Hawkins is like being transported into one of my all-time favorite music videos. I’m really excited to be working with Doritos to encourage passionate fans to share their messages with the people of Hawkins. That level of enthusiasm, care, and backing is truly something special and deserves to be celebrated.

With viewers increasingly recalling (or learning for the first time) the experience of dialing a number for the Doritos telethon, the long-awaited final season of the Netflix show, steeped in nostalgia, is almost here. It will be released in three parts. The first three episodes will be available to stream on November 26th, followed by another three episodes on Christmas Day, and the final episodes will premiere on New Year’s Eve.

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2025-10-01 16:17