David Lynch's seminal series Twin Peaks is back on TV after a 26-year gap. John Byrne looks back on the year it began, and how TV looked in 1990
Fair City was just a year old and Italia 90 would lead the country to utter distraction that summer. It was 1990 when cult movie director David Lynch brought his rather unique view to the world of telly.
Back then, it was almost unthinkable that someone - anyone, really - would swap the cinema for the small screen. So, like the true ground-breaker that he always was, Lynch started a trend.
He also brought something new to the concept of a murder-mystery series. Gone was the `case of the week' format; in came a story arc that took time to develop and included some of the weirdest things ever seen on TV.
Dwarves who spoke backwards, a woman with an eye patch, surrealist humour and outright daftness were all factors that contributed to Twin Peaks' uniqueness.
Although it only lasted two seasons - in fairness, the second run was a bit of a shambles - it is a TV event that remains a totemic of its time, and with season three kicking-off this week, here's a look back at what it was up against in the TV world of 1990.
It was a very good year . . .
Twin Peaks season three begins on Sky Atlantic on Monday, May 22 at 2.00am and Tuesday, May 23 at 9pm
Ten shows that started in 1990
Mr Bean
The much-loved comedy debuted in January with Rowan Atkinson playing a childish buffoon who brings various unusual schemes and contrivances to everyday tasks.
Mr Bean rarely speaks, and when he does, it is generally only a few mumbled words which are in a comically low-pitched voice. His first name (he refers to himself as 'Bean') is never mentioned.
The Simpsons
After featuring as a slot in The Tracy Ullman Show, The Simpsons arrived to much fanfare and pretty soon everybody loved the yellow-skinned family from Springfield.
Amazing to think that, nearly 30 years later, it's one of three shows on our list that arrived in 1990 (though it started in the US the previous December) and remained constantly on TV since Twin Peaks first debuted on the small screen.
Winning Streak
Now Europe's second longest-running game show after the UK's Countdown on Channel 4, this RTÉ One staple first arrived in September 1990 and was originally hosted by Mike Murphy.
Along with The Simpsons, it's one of the few shows that started in 1990 and remained on TV ever since, and other hosts include the late Derek Davis, Derek Mooney, Aidan Power, Geri Maye and Kathryn Thomas.
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Everybody knows who Will Smith is, but back in 1990 he was a moderately successful young rapper who made a major breakthrough playing a fictional version of himself in this sitcom.
Running for six years, Smith starred as a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who moves in with his wealthy aunt and uncle in their Bel Air mansion. After that, it was Men in Black and superstardom.
One Foot in the Grave
One of the greatest - and quirkiest - sitcoms ever produced by the BBC, the series featured Victor Meldrew, played by Richard Wilson, and his long-suffering wife, Margaret, played by Annette Crosbie.
Set in a typical suburb in southern England, Victor takes involuntary early retirement, that's when his real problems begin. As well as a great theme tune, the show also featured Meldew's memorable catch phrase: 'I don't believe it!'
The Crystal Maze
Perhaps the ultimate game show, The Crystal Maze featured a labyrinth consisting of four different zones and a centrepiece called The Crystal Dome.
The first four seasons, including three Christmas specials, were presented by Richard O'Brien. He was followed for two seasons and two specials by Edward Tudor-Pole, and a one-off, celebrity edition hosted by Stephen Merchant in 2016.
Richard Ayoade will host when the show returns later this year.
Beverly Hills, 90210
This hugely popular teen drama lasted ten seasons and followed the lives of a group of friends living in the upscale and star-studded community of Beverly Hills, California as they make their way through high school to college and into the adult world.
The cast members - particularly Jason Priestley and Luke Perry - became teen idols, while the series would make actresses Shannen Doherty, Jennie Garth and Tori Spelling household names in the US.
The Word
Now this was a ground-breaking Channel 4 show.
Its presenters included Mancunian radio presenter Terry Christian, comedian Mark Lamarr, Dani Behr, Katie Puckrik (for whom I had a massive crush) and Amanda de Cadenet.
Originally broadcast in the old time slot for music show The Tube at 6.00pm on Friday evenings, The Word was shifted to late-night in November 1990, with a format that allowed interviews, live music, features and game shows. Guests could do just about anything to be controversial. And they did.
Keeping Up Appearances
Another classic and much-loved BBC sitcom, this one centred on the life of eccentric and snobbish middle class social climber Hyacinth Bucket, who insists that her surname is pronounced 'Bouquet'.
The gloriously OTT Patricia Routledge played Hyacinth, Clive Swift was her long-suffering husband Richard, while Geoffrey Hughes (Eddie Yates in Coronation Street) played her working class brother Onslow.
Have I Got News for You
It's become a BBC staple, but back in 1990 this was a hot new show that took a lot of chances in matters of libel and slander with its topical and satirical remit.
The original line-up, from 1990 to 2002, was Angus Deayton as host, with Private Eye editor Ian Hislop and comedian Paul Merton as team captains, accompanied by guests, usually politicians, journalists or comedians, or someone particularly relevant to recent news.
Ten more shows that debuted in 1990
Stars in Their Eyes (Leslie Crowther)
Secrets
MTV Unplugged premieres on MTV with Squeeze as its debut guests
Northern Exposure
Law & Order
MasterChef
You've Been Framed!
Jeeves and Wooster
Drop the Dead Donkey
Wings
Seven shows that ended in 1990
Rapid Roulette (presented by Maxi!)
Opportunity Knocks
Juke Box Jury
Blankety Blank
All Creatures Great and Small
Bob's Full House
Howards' Way
Ten stars who were born in 1990
Emma Watson (Harry Potter)
Chris Colfer (Glee)
Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad)
Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games)
Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games)
Andrea Bowen (Desperate Housewives)
Keisha Castle-Hughes (Game of Thrones)
Kristen Stewart (Twilight)
Jay McGuiness (The Wanted)
Sarah Hyland (Modern Family)
