Ep. 23 - Mark Frost

Mark Frost is the co-creator of the hit TV show, "Twin Peaks", along with his partner, David Lynch. "Twin Peaks" is often listed among the greatest television series of all time and has received universal acclaim from critics and audiences. Our host, Jack Lawless, interviews Mark about his love for The Beatles' music and their influence on him as a creator. Mark and Jack talk about what it was like growing up during Beatlemania, Mark's happenstance encounters with all four Beatles, and how the rapid success of "Twin Peaks" was compared to that of The Beatles. Mark also tells us which Beatles album the show, "Twin Peaks", would be.

Check out Mark's work on his website: https://bymarkfrost.com

Follow Mark on Twitter: @mfrost11

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The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960, that comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time^[1] and were integral to the development of 1960s counterculture and popular music's recognition as an art form.^[2] Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock 'n' roll, their sound incorporated elements of classical music and traditional pop in innovative ways; the band later explored music styles ranging from ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock. As pioneers in recording, songwriting and artistic presentation, the Beatles revolutionised many aspects of the music industry and were often publicised as leaders of the era's youth and sociocultural movements.

Led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the Beatles evolved from Lennon's previous group, the Quarrymen, and built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over three years from 1960, initially with Stuart Sutcliffe playing bass. The core trio of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, together since 1958, went through a succession of drummers, including Pete Best, before asking Starr to join them in 1962. Manager Brian Epstein moulded them into a professional act, and producer George Martin guided and developed their recordings, greatly expanding their domestic success after signing to EMI Records and achieving their first hit, "Love Me Do", in late 1962.

 

Twin Peaks is an American mystery serial drama television series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. It premiered on ABC on April 8, 1990, and originally ran for two seasons until its cancellation in 1991. In the years following its release, the show gained a devoted cult following and has been referenced in a wide variety of media.^[4][5][6][7]Twin Peaks is often listed among the greatest television series of all time, and has received universal acclaim from critics and audiences. It is considered a landmark turning point in television drama.^{[8][9][10][11][12]}

The series follows an investigation, headed by FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) and local Sheriff Harry S. Truman (Michael Ontkean), into the murder of homecoming queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) in the fictional town of Twin Peaks, Washington. The show's narrative draws on elements of detective fiction, but its uncanny tone, supernatural elements, and campy, melodramatic portrayal of eccentric characters also draws from American soap opera and horrortropes.^{[13][14][7][15]} Like much of Lynch's work, it is distinguished by surrealism, offbeat humor, and distinctive cinematography.^[16] The score was composed by Angelo Badalamenti with Lynch.^[17]

The original series was followed by a 1992 feature film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, which serves as a prequel and sequel to the series. The initial success of the series sparked a media franchise, leading to the release of several tie-in books, including The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer, inspired by an in-universe prop. Following a hiatus of over 25 years, the show returned in 2017 for a third season on Showtime. The season was directed by Lynch and written by Lynch and Frost, and starred MacLachlan alongside other original and new cast members.