Shhh! Showtime asks 'Twin Peaks' premiere guests not to share spoilers
LOS ANGELES — Showtime threw a big, boisterous, star-studded Hollywood premiere Friday for the much-anticipated return of Twin Peaks, with one instruction for guests: Shhh!
Before the two-hour screening at the historic Ace Hotel Theatre, Showtime president David Nevins told the audience it was "the first time anyone has watched a single scene" other than co-creators David Lynch and Mark Frost and a few Showtime executives before making a difficult request in this social-media age: Don't tweet or otherwise spill details until after Sunday's premiere (9 ET/PT).
The project has been wrapped in secrecy, with neither Lynch nor the actors offering any plot or character details. Friday's screening was the only advance viewing opportunity before the TV premiere.
Nevins thanked the cast, crew and executives involved with the 18-hour revival of the groundbreaking, but short-lived ABC series — a mix of soap opera, murder-mystery and supernatural horror from the unique perspective of auteur Lynch.
Nevins also explained the simple calculus behind the return of the early 1990s phenomenon: "If David Lynch comes into your office with something to offer, you simply say yes."
Lynch, who wrote and directed all 18 hours, briefly spoke, seeming to channel FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan, who was in attendance), a noted Douglas fir fan.
"I love trees … Tonight we're going to a place where the trees are primarily Douglas firs," he said. "If we're very quiet, we can hear the rustling needles as we move through the forest, getting closer and closer. And now, we're here."
Trees played a prominent role in the theater decor, with details from both the Pacific Northwest and Twin Peaks taking over a small patch of downtown Los Angeles. The box office sported a log-cabin-style exterior while a flashing sign behind the theater bar touted Twin Peaks' Bang Bang Bar. Outside, the theater walls were plastered with FBI "wanted" posters featuring a man strongly resembling the villainous Bob and a logging truck was parked nearby.
Plenty of the revival's stars, a mix of returning actors and newcomers, attended the festivities, including MacLachlan, Amanda Seyfried, Laura Dern, Mädchen Amick, Jim Belushi, Kimmy Robertson, Harry Goaz, Dana Ashbrook, Michael Horse, Sheryl Lee and Robert Forster.
The after-party, held nearby at Clifton's Republic, a vast restaurant and bar with its own outdoorsy decor, also featured more Twin Peaks touches: a first-floor forest; tables with log centerpieces; and a Red Room-style walkway, complete with chevron-patterned floor. Each guest received a circular wooden icon designed by Lynch.
For those still hungry on the way out, there was a parting gift to whet the appetite for more Twin Peaks: a small cherry pie.