Lynch, joined byTwin Peaksco-creatorMark Frost, pitched the show to then-ABC head of drama Chad Hoffman and Levine.
Even at the pitch stage,Twin Peaks then titledNorthwest Passage was unique and different.
Hoffman and Levine liked it, and they also didnt have much to lose.
Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for ShowtimeEric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Showtime
They developed the script with Lynch and Frost, which was picked up as a two-hour pilot.
Levine went to Washington state for a portion of the pilot shoot, which went smoothly.
David, for all his eccentricities, is an excellent producer.
FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLaughlin, right) at former homecoming queen Laura Palmer’s funeral with a lineup of mourners/suspects, from left: Shelly Johnson (Madchen Amick), Norma Jennings (Peggy Lipton), Ed Hurley (Everett McGill) and Nadine Hurley (Wendy Robie).ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Hes a great director but hes also an incredibly responsible producer, Levine says.
But I never saw someone whose vision was as precise right from the beginning as David.
He also had this incredible combination of warmth and cordiality, but he also had a steel will.
It was a very effective combination.
In his first upfronts as ABC Entertainment president, Bob Iger picked up theTwin Peakspilot to series.
I think that was actually one of the keys to its enormous success.
Aside from all the wonderful films he did, David really did revolutionize television, Levine says.
Levine would get a chance at anotherTwin Peakscollaboration with Lynch and Frost.
The standoff stemmed from Lynchs decision to veer from the original agreement for nine episodes.
it was a difficult level of flexibility for a big connection to absorb.
In fact, it was not only Easter, it was also Passover.
So over chocolate macaroons, we hashed it out, and ultimately, what we did was we folded.
It was all out of just incredible passion and care for his work.
It really was one of the highlights of my career.
