"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

"What? Did your life pass before your eyes? Cuppa tea, cuppa tea, almost got shagged, cuppa tea..."

I don't know about people, but I will speak for myself.

 Although I think that other Lynch projects are more assured and better in every way, TP is his longest and most novelistic project. Thus, the impact is greater than any other individual project he has done. I say this with the knowledge that Lynch's contribution to TP can be confined to the Pilot, and eps 2, 8, 9. 14. 29.

im attracted to it because i saw it on its original airing, when i was but a wee lad of 10.
TP will always be special to me for that, but i have to say im more interested in lynch's other work than his contributions to TP the series. FWWM is a whole different issue.

 I am lost on this mention of 'mob justice' - I'm obviously missing something - what do you mean?

 I don't think Twin Peaks is weaker than Lynch's feature films - his episodes are just as strong, if not moreso, than any of his cinema releases.

One thing is that the setting and feeling of Twin Peaks must appeal to a lot of viewers. It had a warmth and mystery about it.

FWWM didn't capture the same atmosphere as the series, mostly because it was filmed in late August and September during a sunny period. The mood of Twin Peaks should have been February/March, foggy, rainy, misty and damp....oh well.

I think this atmosphere did appeal to viewers too in a home setting, as television viewing. The first season captures this atmosphere best, after that it was not sustained unfortunately but I think it was an essential part of its success.

I don't think it's the best thing he's done. His episodes are great, but you can't just watch them individually (unless you are already very familiar with the series). You have to take the series as a whole, and as a whole it isn't nearly as good as some of his films.

I really don't know why TP is more popular, as it is not even that accessible to most viewers. Okay, it may not have excessive violence, or sex etc., but that doesn't make it any more "normal" than his other films.

its the thing he's done that gained the most popularity, therefore it's the best thing he's done. the free market has spoken!

(im kidding)
 

It is by and large considered the most groundbreaking thing he's done.

Eraserhead was weird, but that had been done. Blue Velvet was racy, but that had been done.  No one had done an absurd kitschy serial with a midget and a psychic detective before.

I think it is because of many of the things already mentioned, more people watch television, ground breaking television etc...  I also think because people can relate to it more than other David Lynch projects.  Although the town was odd every town has odd people.  I think a lot of people could relate to the sexual molestation things as well, because so many people are molested.  It also had a "cool" appeal to it.  A Rebel Without A Cause Appeal.  I think all of us has met a girl sometime in our life who seems like and angel on the outside but has some dark secrets on the inside.  I think those kinds of things are what made it popular as well.

I know I enjoy Twin Peaks more than any of David Lynche's other projects.  I like those too, I just like Twin Peaks more.

Yes, I'm saying everything is original but nothing is new. Twin Peaks did something new for the medium of TV.

Twin Peaks had the hotter chicks...

Ok, that was a joke (was it?). I don't know... Popularity? I guess it's not a matter of being the best thing he has ever done, but the thing that invites more to talk about it... Theories (like who's Judy), gossip (Coop vs. Audrey vs. LFB), wishful thinking (season 3 NOW!) and yes, hot chicks and dudes... No other Lynch project has all that...

Ben:  "We've laid in a gala reception for your fair-haired boys tonight.  All of Twin Peaks' best and brightest."

Jerry: "We're holding it in a phone booth?"

 It's not film history so much as art history. Eraserhead is heavily influenced by Francis Bacon and the Dada movement. Watch Dreams That Money Can Buy.

"Watch Dreams That Money Can Buy." - faceintheleaves

I first heard about that film years ago and wanted to see it but forgot about it.  Thanks for reminding me!

There was a fiish..iinn the percolatrr!