Buried in a bunch of newspaper and magazine clippings I won at auction, I found a two-page advertisement for the short-lived official Twin Peaks newsletter, The Twin Peaks Gazette. This “newspaper” was written in cooperation from series creators Mark Frost and David Lynch and differs from one created by Steve Ryan from Fullerton, California first published in July 1990 (that’s a different story for another time). This two-page advertisement was created around the time the newsletter was announced in USA Today on November 21, 1990.
ANNOUNCING THE ‘TWIN PEAKS GAZETTE’ IN ‘USA TODAY’ IN NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1990
On the front page of the Life section in the November 21, 1990 issue of USA Today, there was a short blurb about new officially licensed products that might help answer outstanding questions for fans. This article mentioned the monthly Twin Peaks Gazette which would begin publishing in January 1991.
If you watch Twin Peaks and have trouble understanding just what the heck is going on, maybe this stuff will help: The next book spinoff from the series is an autobiography of Agent Cooper, taken from every tape recording he’s made since age 7. Also coming is a Twin Peaks Access guide, with building-by-building info, and tips on making doughnuts. In January, you can subscribe to the Twin Peaks Gazette monthly, with clues and contests, for $39.95 a year. Write to P.O. Box 5673, Berkeley, Calif. 94705.
A few weeks later, fictional Twin Peaks Mayor Dwayne Milford held a press conference on Wednesday, December 19, 1990 announcing circulation of the small town’s newspaper, The Twin Peaks Gazette, would be increased nationally.
Twin Peaks Gazette’s circulation is up
Twin Peaks Mayor Dwayne Milford announced at a news conference Wednesday that the Twin Peaks Gazette will increase its run by thousands, due to an unprecedented surge in new subscriptions.
Must reading for residents, the Gazette is celebrated for its investigative reporting, clairvoyant style and literary flair. Also featured are contests, clues, mental and metaphysical stimulation and “not normally available” merchandise from Horne’s Department Store.
The paper is available by subscription to Twin Peaks residents only. In fact, all subscribers become residents with their own home address.
“It’s a bit of a reverse catch-22,” the mayor re-flected, “but life’s like that, especially in this town.
“The Gazette isn’t just a fan newsletter,” notes Executive Producer Mark Frost of Lynch/Frost Pro-ductions. “It’s a true creative extension of Twin Peaks written in cooperation with David Lynch, myself and the show’s writers.
Twelve monthly issues of the Gazette, including a Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department coffee mug and your home address in Twin Peaks, are available for $29.95. To subscribe, call 1-800-626-TWIN or write to the Twin Peaks Gazette, P.O. Box 53563, Boul-der, Colo., 80322.
The announcement may have been timed after the airing of episode 2.010 on December 8, 1990. At Leland Palmer’s wake, Pete Martell explains to Special Agent Dale Cooper that “Dougie owned [The Twin Peaks Gazette]. This fact was even mentioned in the episode’s synopsis published on December 2, 1990:
“Twin Peaks: A wake is held for Leland Palmer; Dougie Milford, publisher of the Twin Peaks Gazette, twists the ear of his brother, Mayor Milford; Dr. Jacoby and Ed Hurley persuade the vice principal to allow Nadine to finish high school; an FBI agent comes to town with unpleasant business for Cooper.”
Yet the paper existed long before the second season. In an article from Gannett News Service by Matt Roush on April 22, 1990, the paper was part of the original pitch to ABC Television.
“The producers were just as playful when pitching the show to ABC, creating a Twin Peaks Gazette complete with ads by the likes of Gentlemen Jim’s Drapes and Tim and Tom’s Taxidermy, a combination taxi company and taxidermist.”
ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE TWIN PEAKS GAZETTE FROM DECEMBER 1990 | PAGE 1
The two-page Twin Peaks Gazette advertisement appears to be a photocopy. I’m unsure if an original exists or where this may have been printed. For years, I’ve been planning an in-depth documentation of the official newsletter after acquiring all issues at an on-line auction. This ad seems like a great place to start that series.
The first page clearly highlights the December 1990 newsletter – Volume 1, Number 1 – was “Written in Cooperation with David Lynch and Mark Frost.” I’m guessing this clarifying statement was added due to Steve Ryan’s fan newsletter of the same name. The paper also included the tagline – “Something is different” – which may be a nod to the lyrics of “Falling” sung by Julee Cruise.
The sky is still blue
The clouds come and go
Yet something is different
Are we falling in love?
Since this first “paper” was designed to generate subscribers, there was a story explaining what fans could expect.
Read Between The Lines
Subscribe to the newspaper
in the smiling bag
Twin Peaks is more than just a spot on the map. It’s a spot on the mind. So when you step off your front porch in Miami or wherever and wonder where the pine trees went, just turn around, go back inside, and look in the Gazette. We’re here. and really, so are you. If you live in Twin Peaks, you know it.
The Gazette is for Twin Peaks townsfolk, and with a subscription you will receive your own address in Twin Peaks. From there you’ll find it’s an easy walk to meet your friends at the Double R Cafe or shop at Horne’s Department Store for “not-normally-available” Twin Peaks merchandise.
At once a small town newspaper, literary journal and mystery magazine, the Gazette will offer clues, contests, interviews, mental and metaphysical stimulation, serial fiction, a computer bulletin board, editorials, letters. advice, puzzles, and of course hard news regarding the goings-on in our special town. In the Gazette, our community can swap stories, express views, interact.
Like the heady scent of Twin Peaks coffee and cherry pie, a subscription provides a reassuring constant in the lives of our community, that friendly thud at daybreak on our screen doors. As editors, we feel a newspaper should mirror its commUnity-no matter how abstract, no matter how troubled-with wit, compassion and clairvoyance.
We have been referred to by the press as a “cult following.” but are we not simply neighbors? A casual channel-changer might mistake us for union extras, but no. Our union is one of consciousness, and that consciousness stretches and flips as we walk that delicate, wavering edge together every Saturday night; bonded by more than city lines and common street corners.
So if you’re not here already, move to Twin Peaks. And send us your observations, questions, ruminations, or any suspicions of irregular activity you may have seen about town. We invite you to help us overturn those large, flat rocks of unawareness that surround us and be astounded at what comes writhing out from underneath.
In a second column, there is an announcement about an “Audrey Horne Photo Look-Alike Contest.” The photo of Sherilyn Fenn as Audrey at One-Eyed Jacks was taken by unit publicist and on-set photographer Paula K. Shimatsu-u.
Audrey Horne Photo Look-Alike Contest
Do you look like Audrey Home or just act like her? Do your saddle shoes steam. I mean, do you really have the look? Send us your best Audrey-like photo and an essay of one hundred words or less explaining how it is you look like you do, or rather, like Ms. Home does. First prize winner will have his or her photo published in the Gazette and receive a $100 gift certificate.
A third story invited fans to “Move to Twin Peaks,” which was basically subscription information.
Move to
Twin Peaks!
To become a resident of Twin Peaks, call 1-800-626-TWIN or send in the coupon on the back. You will receive:
- 12 issues of The Gazette delivered every month
- The address of your own home in Twin Peaks
- A Twin Peaks Sheriffs Department coffee mug for that damn good cup of coffee!
Another box on the page offered a glimpse at future stories being planned for The Gazette.
INSIDE THE FUTURE:
- Interviews with Richard Beymen, Angelo Badalamenti and others
- New Plot Clues and puzzles
- Log Loaf and other fine recipes
- Horne’s Department Store / mail order offerings
- And more to be revealed…
ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE TWIN PEAKS GAZETTE FROM DECEMBER 1990 | PAGE 2
The second page of the December 1990 advertisement contained a subscription form against columns of numbers. This appears to be a nod to the printouts Major Briggs showed Special Agent Dale Cooper in episode 2.002.
From deep space to your doorstep. It’s time to deliver the message. You will receive 12 monthly issues beginning January 1991, PLUS two free gifts for becoming a subscriber: a Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department Coffee Mug and your own address in Twin Peaks, all for only $29.95.
Most likely, this is the mug that subscribers received which was one of the only officially licensed mugs produced in 1990.
The mug and other officially licensed products, including the Twin Peaks Gazette, would later be included in a merchandise brochure from August 1991.
Stay tuned for additional looks at future issues of this fun but short-lived newspaper from the wonderful and strange town of Twin Peaks.
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