Grapevine

1 9 9 2 (USA)
6 x 30 minute episodes
2 0 0 0 (USA)
5 x 30 minute episodes

Set in Miami, Grapevine was an unusual variation on the Love, American Style sitcom format. The three continuing characters were David Klein (Jonathan Penner), who owned a small restaurant; his girlfriend, Susan Crawford (Lynn Clark), an executive with a cruise line; and David’s brother, Thumper (Steven Eckholdt), a local Miami sportscaster.

In each episode, they would make short comments to the camera about the relationship of a couple they knew. Key events in the couple’s life – including some involving David, Susan or Thumper – were shown in flashbacks interspersed with their running commentary.

Some episodes dealt with couples who dated and eventually got married, some with couples whose relationships didn’t work out, and others with married couples in which one spouse was having an affair. It was all very disjointed and soon left the air.

Eight years after Grapevine‘s original short run, CBS brought it back, possibly because Miami’s South Beach setting had become very trendy.

The three original characters were back, with Kristy Swanson now playing Susan, Steven Eckholdt (who had played Thumper in the original run) now playing David, and George Eads as Thumper. New to the show was Matt (David Sutcliffe), the recently divorced manager of a South Beach hotel.

The 2000 series lasted for just five episodes, one less than the 1992 version.

David Klein
Jonathan Penner (1992)
Steven Eckholdt (2000)
Susan Crawford 
Lynn Clark (1992)
Kristy Swanson (2000)
Thumper Klein 
Steven Eckholdt (1992)
George Eads (2000)
Matt Brewer 
David Sutcliffe