'Grapevine' Mirrors Real Life
CBS comedy Grapevine first made its debut eight years ago but was shelved after six episodes. CBS decided this year to give it another shot as a midseason replacement.
The show has a story line that hits pretty close to home for CBS News Early Show Correspondent Jon Frankel. He explained on The Early Show.
The show is about relationships. There's David and Susan who can't figure out theirs.
Then there's David's younger brother, Thumper, played by George Eads, who is constantly in and out of relationships.
And most scenes come complete with a running "he-said she-said" commentary.
The show is shot on location in Miami, all because the show's director and creator happens to live there. That guy, David Frankel, also happens to be Jon Frankel's brother. And he knows his material because he's lived it - literally.
The character David was loosely based on David Frankel. And Thumper, the younger brother, the sportscaster who can't seem to settle on just one woman, resembles a former real-life Florida sportscaster. And Thumper is loosely based on Jon Frankel eight years ago, says David Frankel.
So while Jon Frankel stood by on the set, he was torn: He wanted brother David's show to be successful, but the more it is, he would be thought of as the notorious Thumper.
Grapevine airs at 9:30 ET on Mondays, starting Feb. 28, for five more episodes.