Category: Movies on TV

  • Twin Peaks on the BBC

    Twin Peaks on the BBC

    David Lynch, as you will now be aware, has passed. By way of a slightly odd attempt at a tribute, here’s all the Radio Times listings involving Lynch’s best-known creation (arguably) across both BBC television and radio that I could find from around the original broadcasts, harvested from BBC Genome.

    As well as the actual original showings of the show itself, I’ve also included some additional current affairs / arts type things which ran features on it. And as usual, I’ve attempted to correct what appear to be scanning and formatting errors.

    All first showings of Season 1 were on a Tuesday on BBC2, at the regular time of 9pm. The same episode would be repeated the following Saturday at varying times – usually between 10 to midnight.

    The second season’s initial broadcasts also began at 9pm on BBC2 with the established Saturday repeats, but as time went on things started to slide a bit, mirroring the dip in interest once Lynch temporarily left to film Wild At Heart. Premiere and repeat slots get switched around, change days and eventually repeats are skipped altogether… until Lynch returned, and we got that final cliffhanger.

    We begin with one of those aforementioned arts programmes:

    Behind the Screen
    Mon 22nd Oct 1990, 14:50 on BBC Two England

    Twin Peaks, a new series directed by David Lynch, begins tomorrow at 9.00pm on BBC2. Behind the Screen previews this gripping story of a murder hunt in small town America. Producer Catherine Elliott-Kemp

    Twin Peaks: 1
    [The above is how it was listed to begin with – the rest drop the episode numbers from the titles]
    Tue 23rd Oct 1990, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    The feature-length opening episode of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s acclaimed television series. An offbeat murder-mystery drama about a small town where anyone would want to be.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    “She’s dead. Wrapped in plastic.” The body of Laura Palmer, a beautiful teenage girl, is found by the shoreline in the small lumber town of Twin Peaks, shattering the tranquillity and revealing a host of dark and twisted secrets involving drugs, illicit love, Norwegian property developers, Douglas firs and cherry pie.

    COVER STORY: page 5
    BARRY NORMAN: page 37
    CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Kaleidoscope
    Wed 24th Oct 1990, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4 FM

    Robert Dawson-Scott is at this week’s new films, including the tough picture of American life Goodfellas, and watches David Lynch’s Twin Peaks on BBC1.
    Producer Tessa Watt
    Stereo

    Third Opinion
    Sat 27th Oct 1990, 17:45 on BBC Radio 3

    with Christopher Cook.
    Reviews: Scorsese’s film GoodFellas. John Updike completes the Rabbit quartet. David Lynch’s soap send-up Twin Peaks. Opinions: Waldemar Januszczak, Joan Smith. Features: The Dickens industry: biography and adaptation. Translation for the stage.

    Producers John Boundy, Tim Dee

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 27th Oct 1990, 22:25 on BBC Two England

    A second chance to see the feature-length opening episode of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s acclaimed television series.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    The body of teenager Laura Palmer is found by the shoreline in the small lumber town of Twin Peaks.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 30th Oct 1990, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    The mystery continues in the second part of David Lynch’s offbeat drama about a small town where anyone would want to be. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    Further probing into Laura Palmer ‘s murder brings indications of a sordid secret life – but who really knows the truth? Meanwhile, Agent Cooper senses young love in the air, learns about where the fish swim in Twin Peaks and is chastised for doubting the integrity of the local timber.

    Written by Mark Frost and David Lynch
    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 3rd Nov 1990, 22:25 on BBC Two England

    Another opportunity to keep up with events in David Lynch’s offbeat American town.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    2: Further probing into Laura Palmer ‘s murder brings indications of a sordid secret life – but who really knows the truth?

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 6th Nov 1990, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    The mystery continues.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    3: Duplicate account ledgers, shady dealings in the woods, a house of ill-repute, a one-armed man and a grief-stricken father jitterbugging into madness. For Agent Cooper, perhaps it’s time to resort to the Tibetan Stone-Throwing Deductive Technique – and dreams.

    Written by Mark Frost and David Lynch
    Director David Lynch
    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 10th Nov 1990, 22:40 on BBC Two England

    Another chance to keep up with events in David Lynch’s off-beat American town.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    3: Duplicate account ledgers, shady dealings in the woods, a house of ill-repute, a one-armed man and a grief-stricken father… so many secrets baffling Agent Cooper.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 13th Nov 1990, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    The mystery continues in David Lynch’s soap noir.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean

    4: As the funeral of Laura Palmer turns into a fiasco, Cooper is given a scent of the dead girl’s double life by Audrey Home and learns of the evil lurking in the woods.
    Meanwhile, Josie gets nervous, Norma gets bad news from the State prison and Shelly gets a gun.

    Agent Dale Cooper… Kyle MacLachlan
    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 17th Nov 1990, 22:40 on BBC Two England

    Another opportunity to see last week’s episode of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s acclaimed television series. Starring
    Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    4: As the funeral of Laura Palmer turns into a fiasco, Cooper is given a hint of the dead girl’s double life by Audrey Home and learns of the evil lurking in the woods.
    Meanwhile, Josie gets nervous, Norma gets bad news from the State prison, and Shelly gets a gun.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 20th Nov 1990, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    The mystery continues in David Lynch’s offbeat drama about a small town where anyone would want to be.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    5: The psychiatric branch of medicine fails to throw light on Laura Palmer ‘s secrets, but the trail of the one-armed man leads to a feathered friend and a vital clue. Meanwhile, James Hurley is stunned by a familiar face, Cooper finds out that he isn’t the only visionary in town and Audrey Home decides to follow the sweet smell of excess.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 24th Nov 1990, 23:30 on BBC Two England

    Another opportunity to keep up with events in David Lynch’s offbeat American town. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    5: The psychiatric branch of medicine fails to throw light on Laura Palmer’s secrets, but the trail of the one-armed man leads to a feathered friend and a vital clue.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 27th Nov 1990, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    The mystery continues in David Lynch’s small-town soap noir. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    6: ‘Three men, two girls… the dark was pressing in… screams…” An unlikely informant brings Cooper and Truman to a cabin in the woods and another clue. As Norma waits for her husband to turn up, Bobby Briggs breaks down, Josie sits in the dark and Audrey goes to work for her special agent.

    Agent Dale Cooper… Kyle MacLachlan
    Written by Mark Frost

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 1st Dec 1990, 23:45 on BBC Two England

    Another opportunity to keep up with events in David Lynch’s offbeat American town. Starring Kyle Maclachlan, Michael Ontkean
    6: An unlikely informant brings Cooper and Truman to a cabin in the woods and another clue. As Norma waits for her husband to turn up, Bobby Briggs breaks down, Josie sits in the dark and Audrey goes to work for her special agent.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 4th Dec 1990, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    The mystery continues in David Lynch ‘s soap noir. Starring
    Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    7: For one resident of Twin Peaks, Laura Palmer is brought shockingly back to life, but a talkative witness to her murder is destined to leave blood on the doughnuts. Meanwhile, Cooper goes undercover at One-Eyed Jacks, Audrey gets tongue-tied and Nadine Hurley sees her dreams of riches shattered.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 8th Dec 1990, 21:30 on BBC Two England

    Another chance to see last week’s episode of David Lynch ‘s soap noir. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    7: For one resident Laura Palmer is brought shockingly back to life, but a witness to her murder leaves blood on the doughnuts.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    [And now, a month later, comes the second season…]

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 8th Jan 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    The second season’s feature-length opening episode returns to the small town seething with secrets. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    Is that a corpse on the floor in the Great Northern Hotel and has the investigation into Laura Palmer ‘s murder met a premature end? As the local hospital fills up with the victims of an eventful night, other residents of Twin Peaks adopt strange changes in style, a giant dispenses wisdom, and someone sees the face of ‘Bob’.
    Written by Mark Frost Director David Lynch

    ● PICTURE STORY: page 73
    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 12th Jan 1991, 22:45 on BBC Two England

    Another opportunity to see last week’s feature-length opening episode of events in David Lynch’s off-beat town. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    Has the investigation into Laura Palmer ‘s murder met a premature end? After an eventful night, residents of Twin Peaks adopt strange changes in style.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 15th Jan 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch’s soap noir continues starring
    Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    One-Eyed Jacks becomes a dangerous place for Audrey.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 19th Jan 1991, 22:55 on BBC Two England

    Another opportunity to keep up with events in director David Lynch’s offbeat American town.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean

    The face of ‘Bob’ appears in more nightmares and, while Cooper ponders on increasingly cryptic clues, three friends begin singing out of tune. Two brothers scheme to capitalise on recent events, and One-Eyed Jacks becomes a dangerous place for Audrey.

    (Ceefax subtitles)

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 22nd Jan 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch ‘s soap noir continues. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    Donna meets someone with strange insights, and Cooper has trouble with a vengeful brother. Meanwhile, Lucy gets mad, and Leland pays the price of getting even. page 39)

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 5th Feb 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch’s offbeat drama about a small American town. Starring Kyle MacLachlan Michael Ontkean
    A mission to rescue Audrey and a plan to steal Laura Palmer’s diary turn into terrifying experiences.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 9th Feb 1991, 22:55 on BBC Two England

    Another opportunity to see last week’s episode starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    A mission to rescue Audrey and a plan to steal Laura Palmer’s diary turn into terrifying experiences.
    Meanwhile, Ben Home is tempted and Bobby and Shelly get ready for Leo’s homecoming.

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 16th Feb 1991, 23:00 on BBC Two England

    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    Homecomings abound as Audrey returns from her ordeal and Leo is guest of honour at a bizarre party. Meanwhile, Cooper’s supervisor arrives with a new, and dangerous, direction for his agent.
    Wntten by Mark Frost
    Director David Lynch

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 19th Feb 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    In tonight’s instalment of David Lynch’s cult murder-mystery, the question is answered. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean

    ● CEEFAX SUBTITLES

    Twin Peaks
    Sun 24th Feb 1991, 00:50 on BBC Two England

    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    As mystic rhymes are recited, as the giant warns that ‘it will happen again’, as Cooper pieces together the fragments of a secret diary, as a cloud of dread hangs over Twin Peaks …the face of Laura Palmer’s killer is revealed.
    Written by Mark Frost
    Director David Lynch

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 19th Mar 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch’s offbeat drama about a small American town.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    As Twin Peaks celebrates the wedding of the year, Josie is about to discover exactly what widowhood means.

    ● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 26th Mar 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch’s offbeat soap-opera continues.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan Michael Ontkean
    After the wedding of the year, the honeymoon proves to be decidedly fatal and Dick Tremayne begins to fear that time spent in little Nicky’s company may not be life-enhancing either. Cooper, meanwhile, gets into property and James gets deeper into a dangerous fascination.
    ● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 2nd Apr 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    The mystery continues in David Lynch’s offbeat drama. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    As Ben Home fights past battles, Cooper heads for a showdown with Jean Renault, but a far more dangerous adversary moves ever nearer.

    ● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 16th Apr 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch’s offbeat drama. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    Actress Diane Keaton directs this episode of the soap noir.
    DRAMA: page 4

    ● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 7th May 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch’s offbeat drama. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    Break-ups, marriage proposals and new attractions are the order of the day in Twin Peaks.

    ● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 14th May 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch’s offbeat drama about a small American town.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    A grieving Truman seeks solace in a bottle.

    ● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 21st May 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch’s offbeat drama about a small American town.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan Michael Ontkean
    While Truman survives a killer’s kiss, mysterious symbols lead Cooper to a cave where the owls may not be what they seem.

    ● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 28th May 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch’s offbeat drama. Starring Kyle MacLachlan Michael Ontkean
    Cooper meets Cupid.

    ● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 4th Jun 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch’s offbeat drama. Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    The puzzle of the Black Lodge seems about to be solved.

    ● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 11th Jun 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    The penultimate episode of David Lynch’s offbeat drama about a small American town.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    Cooper and Truman decipher part of the secret of the Black Lodge. But are they too late?

    ● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

    Twin Peaks
    Tue 18th Jun 1991, 21:00 on BBC Two England

    David Lynch directs the final episode of this offbeat drama.
    Starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean

    Dale Cooper must finally confront the evil that lurks in the woods of Twin Peaks.
    (Repeated next Saturday)
    Drama: page 6

    (Teletext subtitles: page 888)

    Twin Peaks
    Sat 22nd Jun 1991, 23:30 on BBC Two England

    Another opportunity to see the final episode of this offbeat soap opera, directed by David Lynch, starring Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean
    A queen is escorted to an appointment at the end of the world but, in order to play the white knight and rescue her, Agent Dale Cooper must face a final confrontation with the evil that lurks in the woods surrounding Twin Peaks.

    ● TELETEXT SUBTITLES: page 888

    [A couple of other things I might as well mention: the edition of Barry Norman’s Film 92, broadcast on Tuesday 17th November of that year at 17:30 (that’s half five in the evening), has a review of the then-reviled Fire Walk With Me. And at the start of the following year, Blue Velvet finally got its British TV premiere on BBC2 (or BBC Two, as it had offically become by then) on Saturday 9th January 1993, at 23:55.]

    A final curiosity

    While I’ve refrained from giving much commentary on anything this time round, I thought I’d mention this strange little quirk of how the BBC Genome displays its data.

    When the original listings were scanned 12 years ago, there was some sort of post-processing done to each individual programme. The algorithm that they used attempted to pick out any and all names mentioned in the main body text, in an attempt to credit anyone who might not have been listed in the actual credits printed in the original issue.

    This was an interesting idea, and sometimes can be genuinely useful, although it does tend to produce a lot of chaff that I often have to ignore when putting these infodumps together. However, in one of the first “another chance to see” Twin Peaks repeats for Season 1, something unintentionally odd happened.

    In this particular listing, Sheryl Lee’s name wasn’t given, but the character of Laura was mentioned as part of the plot summary. This made sense at the time, as Lee had already been credited in full with the initial Tuesday broadcast along with everyone else, so all they needed to do was to print a slightly cut down version of that first listing.

    But years later, that Genome post-processing lead to the following eerie credit being automatically created. Sitting alongside the names of Lynch himself and Kyle MacLachlan was this:

    • Unknown: Laura Palmer