Peaks TV: Honoring 35 Years of Twin Peaks with The Atlantic Culture Writer and Blank Check Cohost David Sims

Wednesday, April 9, 2025
4:00 pm
The Paley Museum, 25 West 52 Street, NYC
Curator: Jason Lynch

Thirty-five years ago, David Lynch rewrote the rules of television with Twin Peaks, which stands as one of TV’s signature achievements of the 1990s, and helped usher in the prestige TV era. The latest installment of our Conversation with a Curator series will celebrate the show’s anniversary, and commemorate the recent passing of David Lynch, as Paley curator Jason Lynch reflects on the show’s legacy with The Atlantic culture writer and Blank Check movie podcast cohost David Sims.

After upending cinema with surreal, unforgettable films like Eraserhead and Blue Velvet, David Lynch set his sights on TV. On April 8, 1990, more than 34 million people tuned into ABC’s bold, revolutionary premiere of Twin Peaks, which follows FBI special agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) as he travels to the fictional Pacific Northwest town of Twin Peaks to investigate the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). Throughout two unforgettable seasons, a 1992 prequel film and an acclaimed 2017 limited series revival, Twin Peaks continues to enthrall audiences.

The discussion will include series highlights from the Paley Archive, as well as exclusive excerpts from the 1990 Paley panel following the show’s premiere, featuring the Twin Peaks cast and creative team.

Free for Paley Members, included in General Admission.
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