The Big Picture
Queen Elizabeth's love for Twin Peaks, led her to turn down a performance from Paul McCartney.
Twin Peaks intrigued viewers with its enigmatic storyline and haunting musical composition by Angelo Badalamenti.
Although it was abruptly discontinued in 1991, Twin Peaks made a comeback in 2017 as Twin Peaks: The Return, offering solace to devoted fans who had been waiting for resolution.
Every now and then, a global sensation captivates the world. During the 1960s, that sensation was Beatlemania, enveloping the entire world (primarily its female population) in an obsession with the iconic band, The Beatles. Likewise, in the 1990s, there was Twin Peaks, a peculiar little show crafted by the ingenious David Lynch, compelling audiences to tune in every week in pursuit of discovering the identity of Laura Palmer's killer, portrayed by Sheryl Lee. Both have left an indelible mark on pop culture, boasting significant fan bases. However, for Queen Elizabeth, there is one that surpasses all others.
Twin Peaks
Release Date April 8, 1990Cast Kyle MacLachlan, Sheryl Lee, Mädchen Amick, Kimmy Robertson, Dana AshbrookMain Genre CrimeGenres Crime, Drama, Fantasy, HorrorSeasons 3
Queen Elizabeth Loved ‘Twin Peaks’
Twin Peaks is renowned for its strangeness, boasting a plethora of vibrant characters like The Log Lady and Agent Dale Cooper. The series delves into the lives of the peculiar residents of the town as they unravel the murder mystery surrounding Laura Palmer, the teenage prom queen. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary town lies a web of dark secrets. Accompanied by the phenomenal score of the late Angelo Badalamenti, Twin Peaks stands as a brilliant example of television craftsmanship. As an experimental show, it is filled with unexpected twists and extravagant moments, reflecting the unique imagination of creator David Lynch. Surprisingly, even Queen Elizabeth herself was a devoted fan of the series, so much so that she once declined a performance from the legendary Paul McCartney in order to catch the latest episode. This delightful anecdote was shared by Angelo Badalamenti himself in the documentary Secrets From Another Place: Creating Twin Peaks and in a 2011 interview with NME. According to Badalamenti, McCartney had been invited to perform for the Queen's birthday celebrations, only for her to apologize and leave at five to eight, explaining that she had to watch Twin Peaks instead. Reflecting on the situation, Badalamenti humorously added that McCartney playfully jabbed him and used some colorful language after hearing the Queen's preference.
‘Twin Peaks’ Was a Hit Series That Ended Too Soon
Image via ABC
The Queen's surprising dedication to the long-lasting mystery of Twin Peaks is remarkable. Since its debut in 1990 until its premature finale in 1991, audiences were captivated and faithfully tuned in every week. While the murder of Laura Palmer initially caught their attention, it was David Lynch's unique vision and Angelo Badalamenti's flawless score that kept them hooked. Despite David Lynch and Mark Frost's initial plan to leave the mystery unresolved, ABC insisted on a conclusion, ultimately leading to the show's cancellation. However, in 1992, the prequel film Fire Walk With Me was released, delving into the final days of Laura Palmer's life and seamlessly connecting to the series. Satisfying the desires of fans yearning for more Twin Peaks after its untimely end, the prequel film allowed Lynch and Frost to further explore their intricate vision of the enigmatic town.
To the delight of fans, Twin Peaks triumphantly returned in 2017 with Twin Peaks: The Return. This revival brought back beloved characters, paid homage to those who had been lost over the years, and even introduced Diane (played by Laura Dern), a character unseen in the original series. The Return provided fans with the closure they had long awaited, although it did maintain the typical level of closure one can expect from a project by David Lynch. Now, with the knowledge that Queen Elizabeth was a fan of the original series, one can't help but wonder if she also tuned in for The Return.
Twin Peaks is available for streaming exclusively on Prime Video in the U.S.
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