Subject: Twin Peaks _WILL_ be renewed (but should we be happy?)
From: dgross@polyslo.CalPoly.EDU (Dave Gross)
Date: 1990-05-20, 16:00
Newsgroups: alt.tv.twin-peaks

TWIN PEAKS HERE TO STAY
Network execs find coffee-and-donuts crew captures a difficult age group

On Wednesday, Americans may finally know who killed Laura Palmer and
the "many secrets" she holds.  But meanwhile, network executives are trying
to discover the secrets of Twin Peaks' success -- and it's secret in tapping
into a hard-to-hold age group at it's time slot.

While Twin Peaks has been losing the older crowd that tunes in for
"Father Dowling Mysteries" in the preceding slot, they have made great gains
in the 20-30something crowd and, to the suprise of network executives, even
the 10-20 age groups.

"We now know that a mystery format -- if it has personalities that are
interesting and somewhat quirky -- can succeed in both a children's and
an adult market," said Mark McPherson, speaking at a news conference for the
network.

McPherson is confident that he can keep the younger viewers despite
the decision to show the season finale at 10:00 P.M. Wednesday night.  "We
believe that no parent is going to be able to keep a dedicated son or
daughter from seeing the end of the mystery, no matter what the time."

Not only are executives confident that they can hold on to the younger
set, but they feel that they can capture the older viewers who were alienated
by the bizarre twists and turns of the plot, and by the lack of resolutions
by show's end.

Bessie Clary, who has been in charge of coordinating the various
directors of this season's episodes, will be in charge of the new direction
Twin Peaks will be taking next season.  "We envision a more encapsulated
version of Twin Peaks -- with a single mystery being raised and solved each
show.  Of course the strange elements will still be there:  Lucy's remarks
and Cooper's personality -- but these will take backstage to a more easily
digestible plot."

Early suggestions are that Twin Peaks will have a format very similar
to Father Dowling Mysteries or Murder She Wrote but with just enough of the
macabre touch initiated by David Lynch to maintain the interest of the younger
viewers.

Is the network confident that they can keep the younger viewers
watching?  McPherson thinks so.  "It's become a fad already.  We think it
will outlast the Simpsons.  Never underestimate the power of a cult following
with teens and pre-teens."

Rumors have even been flying that consultants from Caspary & Sklar
(the company that handled the licensing of "Beetlejuice" models and action
figures) have been contacted to discuss marketing a line of Peaks-related
odds and ends.

Shelby Carpenter, vice-president of Caspary & Sklar, confirmed that
they have been talking with the network, but declined to discuss what the
discussions entailed.


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