Subject: Why Twin Peaks was put on Hiatus
From: michaell@cat55.cs.wisc.edu (Michael Lee)
Date: 1991-02-19, 23:04
Newsgroups: alt.tv.twin-peaks

First of all, I feel, that no matter what happens, Twin Peaks will not return
in the fall.  This is perhaps both because of the decrease in quality since
Mark Frost left to do his movie, and also the extremely low ratings.  The
extreme fickleness of many Twin Peaks fans must have been registered to ABC.

So, why did they do it?  Simple -- To give Lynch time to get a really good,
really appropriate conclusion to the series.  It's been stated by someone that
the last episode is intended to be directed by Lynch, and has not yet been
completed.  So, doesn't it makes sense for ABC to have Lynch himself wrap up
and conclude the series?  This delay will permit this to happen with maximum
effect, besides the publicity the return will generate.  

It is a simple fact (and immediately obvious, really) that Twin Peaks can not
continually be of the same quality throughout.  A show that is as sophisticated
as Twin Peaks just can't.  If you just have the "bizzare" plots, there isn't
a basis in the real world, and when a plot line appears to be more "mundane"
people claim that Twin Peaks "is just becoming another soap".

One thing that I feel that the networks could learn from the Twin Peaks
experiment is that rather then just targeting open-ended series, or one week
mini-series, there could be a very good market for a "Maxi-Series" -- a weekly
show, a la Twin Peaks, but something that is to end, very definitely, when the
story line is completed.  This should be planned from start to finish, at
least generally.  This allows some more freedom in television ideas, but
doesn't force strict forms.  However, there would have to be a certain level of
commitment from the network to show the entire series.


-- --------------------------------------+----------------------------------------- Michael Lee ! Love michaell@garfield.cs.wisc.edu ! Don't go away 934 W. Dayton Apt #1 ! Come back this way Madison, WI 53715 ! Come back and stay SAVE TWIN PEAKS ! Forever and ever WRITE ABC TODAY ! "The World Spins", David Lynch --------------------------------------+-----------------------------------------