There were a lot of reasons why this was able to slip into the system. The WGA strike was one (that kind of makes Lynch a scab, but then again he is allowed to be because he's Lynch), the fact that Frost and Lynch had good results from the younger audiences who watched it was an even bigger reason. Bob Iger was actually a big fan of David Lynch's films, and he probably got it pounded into the other execs' heads that they had a big hit on their hands.
The national reaction to the airing of the pilot was so positive that they had no other choice put to let it live.
Interestingly, the Spice is easily substituted with Mrs. Dash, but Mrs. Dash comes from the anus of a giant space octopus, so it's just as difficult without much visible difference.
5 stars cuz I love Twin Peaks, but I must admit this clip was remiss in not including at least part of the "breakfast" discussion that the sherriff and Andy have at the beginning of the second part of the series finale.