Since the telephone first hit the international market, the potential for crank calls has existed -- but nobody has utilized the forum quite to the extent of The Jerky Boys.

The New York-based duo, who go by the pseudonyms Johnny B. and Kamal, have transported childish pranks about "Prince Albert in a Can" to an adult frame of mind. There was always a line not to cross when conducting a prank call, a line separating good from bad taste.

The success of The Jerky Boys, whose eponymous-titled debut was the biggest-selling comedy album of '93, is because they have crossed that line. We listen because the Boys are doing what we would like to be able to do, but can't. We have inhibitions that the Boys seemingly lost at birth.

A phone interview with the pair is like challenging a seasoned opponent to a battle on his own turf. Kamal and Johnny B. are merciless on the phone -- running around questions while throwing around such trademark phrases as "rubberneck," "liverlips" and, of course, "jerky."

Even while plugging themselves, The Jerky Boys contain traces of the many memorable characters they've portrayed -- from the "Hot Rod Mover," whose resume includes driving tractor trailers through toll booths, to the "Gay Model," who thinks runway is "old hat" and enjoys lighting himself on fire.

Despite the fact that Johnny B. and Kamal have been crank calling help-wanted ads for several years now, they have only made 80 calls in that period.

"That's it," Kamal said. "You hear these disc jockeys who do thousands of phony phone calls, yet we've only done 80, 'cause we're the best."

After circulating tapes underground for years, the Boys landed a record deal with Select Records after placing a crank call to label President Fred Muano. After the label cleared all of the crank calls with the victims, The Jerky Boys was released last year and went on to sell more than 500,000 copies.

There is no doubt the Boys have found a sizeable audience, especially in those who would like to have the nerve to do what they excel at. Eric Hartlaub is one of those students who finds a release in The Jerky Boys' comedy.

"They're kind of cathartic," said Hartlaub (sophomore-administration of justice). "It makes you feel better because you're not doing it but you'd like to."

Although the Boys have a new album coming out in the upcoming months and a motion picture in development with Caravan Pictures, the duo has discovered that success has some drawbacks. Johnny B. said time has become a scarce commodity.

"This takes up so much time," he said. "I mean, I used to be able to beat up my mother with rubber gloves in the basement, but I don't have time to do that anymore."

Not only has the duo's social life taken a step back, but with increasing fame comes a recognition factor that could damage their act. While assembling crank calls for their new album, the pair had a number of calls in which they were identified, Kamal said.

But if a gold record and success should kill their act, Kamal and Johnny B. are thankful for their day jobs. Johnny B. said he still goes down to the corner of 42nd Street to shine shoes while Kamal "still scoops up elephant shit."

"Doing this presents us with another avenue in life," Johnny B. said. "Otherwise, I'd like to go build a skyscraper."

For now, The Jerky Boys are enjoying the attention they've received, but they haven't forgotten appreciation for their longtime fans.

"This all started because of the underground connection to colleges and other places, and we thank you," Johnny B. said.