Frost to Write New Twin Peaks Book

Wow!  The news just keeps getting better!  Mark Frost will write an original Twin Peaks novel!  Looks like this will serve as the bridge between the original series and the new one.  Amazing.

Color Me Amazed: Some Thoughts on a New Twin Peaks

The last few days have been tumultuous, to say the least.  It has been an emotional experience, processing the news about the return of Twin Peaks.  I've been nostalgic about the old series and re-energized about the potential of the new show.  Here's are a few thoughts that stand out, now that the dust has settled a bit:

• Mark Frost's involvement is the most exciting aspect of the announcement.  Don't get me wrong; I'm thrilled that David Lynch will be directing the nine new episodes; there could never be a Twin Peaks without him.  But a return of Twin Peaks to serialized format requires the storytelling discipline and structure that Mark Frost brings to the project.  With Frost and Lynch working together, the new series has the potential of matching the momentum and urgency of the first season.  That would be something to see! 
• A weekly format is the way to go!  At first, I expected the new Twin Peaks to be available on Netflix (or something like it).  That would allow for the whole series to be available at once.  But that format doesn't fit classic Peaks.  (I like that, "Classic Peaks." That's what I'm going to call the old series.)  If the new show features a central mystery akin to "Who killed Laura Palmer?" then the best way to build interest, narrative momentum and viewer engagement is with a weekly series.  Like the old days, this approach will give us all a chance to parse each episode, predict future developments and offer our own theories.  That's what was so much fun about the original airings of Classic Peaks: the involvement we all felt with the show, the energy we brought to thinking about it week-to-week.  These are vital ingredients to the success of TP-on-TV.
• I expect the laughs to return.  Fire Walk With Me was dark, disturbing, and stripped of the eccentric humor intrinsic to the show.  (Yes, there was some in the film, but it was muted.) And it didn't start there: the final episode also lacked the oddball behavior and delightful story elements found in the rest of the series.  A big part of TP's appeal came from its endearing characters and amusing asides.  Humor gave Twin Peaks a certain charm.  I hope much of that comes back.

That's enough for now.  I'm still wrapping my brain around the idea of new Twin Peaks.  I have many more thoughts--specifically questions--about Laura Palmer, FWWM, the new Missing Pieces and how all of that fits into--and impacts--a new series.  I'll save those thoughts for next time.

A Day I Never Thought I'd See

By now, the world knows that Twin Peaks will return to television on Showtime in 2016. This is remarkable news.  Simple stunning.  I considered simply posting a blank entry here with a footnote that said, "I'm at a loss for words."  As I struggle for what to say here, I feel like I still am.

Twin Peaks was a life-changing event for me.  No other television program or movie had such a profound effect on my life.  The show put me on a path to get a Masters Degree in TV/Radio/Film from Southern Methodist University.  It also led me to a thirteen-year collaboration with Craig Miller in which we produced 75 issues of the magazine, Wrapped In Plastic.

In WIP, Craig and I wrote extensively about the series and film and we interviewed many of the actors and creative people involved with the Twin Peaks and Fire Walk With Me.  We felt like we were documenting an important piece of art.  I wish Craig were here to share in this wonderful news.  I know we would be planning to continue WIP in some way and to start writing again about the new show.  Sadly, a continuation of WIP as it used to be will probably not happen. 

That being said, I do plan to write about this new show in some capacity.  Perhaps I will simply blog about it here.  Or maybe I can find a way to resurrect WIP online.  I just don't know.  But something will happen. 

Like the rest of the Twin Peaks fan community, I am extremely happy right now.  What exciting times we have ahead of us! 

More to come . . . .

Craig Miller

 
It's been far too long since I last put up a post here but, sadly, I return with some terrible news.

Craig Miller passed away on November 7, 2012.  From what I understand he died peacefully, in his sleep.  But the news was certainly unexpected.  And devastating.

Between October 1992 and September 2005, Craig and I produced 75 issues of Wrapped In Plastic Magazine.  I estimate that together we wrote over one million words about Twin Peaks and about the works of David Lynch, Mark Frost and others associated with the show.

Working with Craig was one of the highlights of my life.  Craig was the perfect co-editor.  He was smart, committed, and thorough.  The look, feel, and longevity of the magazine were due to Craig's tireless effort.  Because of Craig's diligence a new issue of Wrapped In Plastic was published every two months for over ten years.

Craig loved television, film, comics and science fiction.  I shared his passion.  He and I would talk endlessly of these things we loved.  Phone calls between us would last hours as we dissected a scene in Twin Peaks, or analyzed an issue of Cerebus, or examined the themes of Blade Runner, or pored over the writing of David Foster Wallace.  I'd end these conversations feeling exhausted -- and invigorated. 

Craig is gone and all his vast knowledge and insight is gone too.  In describing the death of her father, Laurie Anderson said, "It was like a library had burned down."  That is what Craig's death is like.  That huge mind--that endless curiosity--is no more.

Good-bye, Craig.  The world is a smaller place now.

Psyched!

I am thrilled about the upcoming Twin Peaks episode of Psych.  I'm sure those few of you who still checking my blog have already seen the many cool photos from the episode online.  If not, head on over to Dugpa.com right now! 

I love that close-up shot Dana Ashbrook crying over the body; he really seems to be channeling Ray Wise there.  And while many people are commenting on how good Sherilyn Fenn looks, I'm thrilled to see Catherine Coulson back as "The Woman with Wood."  She's looking as good as ever!

The extended episode of Psych (complete with a Julee Cruise opening song) airs December 1.

Fire Walk With Me Event in the UK

I received an email about this event and I thought I'd pass it along.  Here, then, is an edited version of a press release:

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Twin Peaks, Leeds-based arts entrepreneurs Micheale Spessa and Dave Lynch (what are the odds?) present Fire Walk With Me, an opportunity to immerse yourself in Twin Peaks madness. The event will be held on 18th September 2010, bringing together fans from across the globe. 

Fire Walk With Me is being held at the appropriately atmospheric Grade 1 listed Temple Works in Leeds; the building has a history and ambience that would no doubt inspire David Lynch. Not surprisingly the organisers are remaining tight lipped as to the whereabouts of Bob, if you have spotted him recently or any other Twin Peaks characters then do let them know.

Tickets on sale now via the website http://www.firewalkwithme.co.uk/ and cost £12 online, or £15 on the door. Group concessions apply.  

Sign up to the website, http://www.firewalkwithme.co.uk/ or check out Twin Peaks Freaks www.twitter.com/twinpeaksfreaks to discover more about the event.

Remember the Owls are not what they seem.

For Further information or to report sightings of Bob, please contact:

Rebekah Wadham on 07530 053 593 or email press@firewalkwithme.co.uk

Sometimes it takes the right message to get me blogging again.  I've been pretty lazy lately.  Sorry about that. I guess I need some good inspiration to get me writing again.  I'm working on finding it . . . .

Yes, I'm Still Here

For those of you who may have wondered, yes I'm still here. I'll admit, I've been quite neglectful about posting. What can I say? My mind has been elsewhere.

For now, here's a very quick update about things I've read and seen. I truly do hope to resume more significant posts in the future.

I'm currently reading The Passage, by Justin Cronin. It does live up to the hype. I'm totally engrossed, up late turning pages. This is a good thing. I've been looking for a book this absorbing for some time now. That's not to say that some of my recent reads haven't been good. In fact, I've read some superb books, including Kraken by China Mieville and The Windup Girl by Paulo Bacigalupi; both are excellent, if dense and demanding, books.

I haven't been to many movies but I did see Toy Story 3 and was tremendously impressed. This was nearly a perfect movie and one that worked on many levels. I think that the Toy Story trilogy may be one of the best film trilogies of all time -- none of the films is weak, and each sequel builds upon the past to make a satisfying whole. I hope there will never be another Toy Story film; the story is complete and very satisfying. Bravo to Pixar for another amazing film!

There have been many, many good things on TV. Too many, really, to list in any detail. Special mention, however, goes to Treme on HBO. The series started slow and seemed, at times, to wander a bit. But in the end the show proved to be one of the most sophisticated pieces of television entertainment I've ever seen. Superbly written, directed and acted, Treme was an intricate and meticulous study of people coping with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, one of the worst disasters in United States history. Wonderful reviews have been written about the series, most better than anything I could do here. One of the best was this one by Myles McNutt. Go read it.

I wish I could write more but other commitments are pulling me away. I hope to post again soon.

Take care!